James Schaefer Joins Debevoise & Plimpton as Commercial Litigation Counsel
Advisor - People | Jul 15, 2025 | Debevoise & Plimpton
James Schaefer has been appointed as counsel in the Commercial Litigation Group at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP's San Francisco office. Schaefer is to leverage his two decades of civil litigation experience to lead and support high-stakes commercial disputes on behalf of the firm. Prior to joining, he acted as the Civil Chief at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho where he managed extensive civil litigation for the district. Schaefer's expertise spans antitrust, fraud, and civil rights, and he has also served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney handling cases under the False Claims Act and others. His role aims to support Debevoise's mission of strengthening its west coast presence and delivering exceptional legal services, particularly in complex litigation.
Sectors
- Legal
Geography
- United States – The article discusses activities in the United States, particularly in the San Francisco office of the law firm and the previous role of the new hire in Idaho.
Industry
- Legal – The article is about a law firm expanding its team with a new expert litigator, specifically within the field of commercial litigation.
Financials
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Schaefer | Counsel | Person | Newly appointed counsel at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, with extensive litigation experience, particularly in civil litigation. |
| Debevoise & Plimpton LLP | Employer | Company | A leading law firm known for handling complex commercial litigation and high-profile legal matters. |
| U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho | Former Employer | Government | Previous employer of James Schaefer where he managed civil litigation. |
| Nicholas Folly | White Collar Counsel | Person | Recently joined Debevoise & Plimpton LLP alongside James Schaefer. |