James Garland is a Partner and Co-Practice Group Leader in the Firm's Estate, Trust and Taxation Group.

James devotes his practice to the areas of estate and trust planning and administration, estate and trust litigation, elder law and guardianships. After graduating from law school, James served as a member of the Tax Department of Deloitte & Touche for three years. In 1986, he joined the law firm of Schenck, Price, Smith & King, LLP and became partner in 1994. He joined Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP in June 2004.  James is a frequent lecturer before community groups.

Publications and Presentations

Speaker, “End of Life Planning,” Seminar at the Church of Messiah, Chester, New Jersey (January 2010)

Co-instructor, “New Jersey Wills Drafting and Probate Practice,” New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, skills and methods course (May 2009) 

Co-instructor, “New Jersey Wills, Drafting and Probate Practice,” New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, skills and methods course (May 2008)

Co-instructor, “New Jersey Wills, Drafting and Probate Practice,” New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, skills and methods course (October 2007)

Panelist, 6th Annual Financial Conference and Networking Event, co-sponsored by Garden State Women Magazine and the Garden Woman Education Foundation (May 2007)

Awards and Honors

Listed in Best Lawyers in America©, (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024). (This list is published by Best Lawyers.  Their selection methodology is available here.  No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.)

New Jersey Super Lawyers, (2007, 2014-2024), (This list is published by Super Lawyers.  Their selection methodology is available here.  No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.)

Named by New Jersey Monthly a "Five Star Investment Professional" in Estate and Trusts, (2018)

Named by New Jersey Monthly a "Five Star Professional" in Estate and Trusts, (2017)

Named by New Jersey Monthly a "Five Star Financial Services Professional", (2016)

Named by New Jersey Monthly a “Five Star Estate Planning Attorney”, (2014)

Community Service

Attorney for Nourish NJ, Inc. (formerly known as Community Soup Kitchen & Outreach Center, Inc.) - Morristown, New Jersey

President of Sandra S. Kupperman Foundation

Memberships

Member, New Jersey State Bar Association

Member, Morris County Bar Association

Member, Morris County Bar Association, Trusts, Estates & Elder Law Committee (2017)

Member, Morris County Bar Association (Trusts and Estates Probate Committee) (2003-Present); Former Chairman (2003-2005) 

Member, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (2005-Present)

Member, American Heart Association of Northern New Jersey Advisory Council (2003-2007)

Chairman, New Jersey Supreme Court District X Fee Arbitration Committee (1993-1994)

Vice Chairman, New Jersey Supreme Court District X Fee Arbitration Committee (1992-1993)

Member, New Jersey Supreme Court District X Fee Arbitration Committee (1990-1994)

Past Chairman and Member, Old Bridge Township Planning Board

Former Chairman, Morris County Bar Association, Elder Law Committee (now known as the Trusts, Estates & Elder Law Committee)

News

• March 25, 2024 2024 Super Lawyers & Rising Stars
  March 25, 2024

  Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP is pleased to share that 11 of the Firm's attorneys have been selected to the...

• August 17, 2023 CMG Attorneys Selected for Inclusion - Best Lawyers in America©
  August 17, 2023

  Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP is pleased to announce that 16 of the Firm's attorneys have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2024...

• May 11, 2023 Coughlin Midlige & Garland Attorneys Selected for Super Lawyers / Rising Stars Lists
  May 11, 2023

  Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP is pleased to share that twelve of the Firm's attorneys have been selected to the 2023 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list in their respective practice areas. Of...

• October 13, 2022 Legal Seminar for Special Needs Families
  October 13, 2022

  James B. Garland, Partner and Co-Practice Group Leader at Coughlin Midlige & Garland will speak on guardianship and trust issues...

• August 29, 2022 12 Coughlin Midlige & Garland Attorneys Recognized in 2023 Edition of Best Lawyers in America
  August 29, 2022

  Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP is pleased to announce that 12 of the Firm's attorneys have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the...

• April 13, 2022 Coughlin Midlige & Garland Attorneys Selected to 2022 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
  April 13, 2022

  Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP congratulates nine of our attorneys who have been selected to the 2022 Super Lawyers and...

• January 3, 2022 Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP Expands Its Estate, Trust and Taxation Group
  January 3, 2022

  Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP (CMG) is pleased to announce the expansion of our Estate, Trust and Taxation (ETT) Group...

• March 13, 2020 Coughlin Midlige & Garland Attorneys Named to New Jersey 2020 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars List
  March 13, 2020

  Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP is pleased to share that ten of the Firm's attorneys have been selected to the...

• March 12, 2019 Coughlin Midlige & Garland Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in Super Lawyers 2019 List
  March 12, 2019

  Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP is pleased to share that eight of the Firm's attorneys have been selected to the 2019 Super Lawyers...

• March 14, 2015 Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP is pleased to announce that 20 of its attorneys were selected for inclusion in New Jersey Super Lawyers® and New Jersey Rising Stars®
  March 14, 2015

  New Jersey Super Lawyers® is a rating service of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and...