James J.
Brosnahan
"Legend of the Trial Bar"
Mr. Brosnahan attended Boston College and Harvard Law School. He practiced law as a trial lawyer for over 60 years: five years as a Federal Prosecutor, 55 years in private practice, with 47 years at the law firm of Morrison Foerster. He has been Senior of Counsel for three years during which he also wrote his memoir.
Besides being a trial lawyer, Mr. Brosnahan taught at Berkeley Law for 10 years, continues to lecture on law and the Supreme Court, and is a Plein Air painter.
He lives in Berkeley, California, with his wife of 64 years, the Honorable Carol Brosnahan.
Jim's Paintings
At one point in school, Jim thought he might be a painter but chose trial law instead. About 35 years ago he took up Plein Air painting in the Sierras and has painted almost every Sunday since. Jim doesn’t sell his paintings except for charity. When Jim is painting he says the time goes by in a flash.
Jim and Carol
Jim and Carol met at Harvard Law School when Carol was one of nine women, including Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Before becoming a judge in Alameda County, California, she was an editor at Continuing Education of the Bar and was very helpful as one of the editors of Jim’s memoir. They have three children and four grandchildren and live in Berkeley, California.
