Jim Furman joins Hill & Ponton as an attorney of counsel, heading the Texas office of the Hill & Ponton. Prior to his legal career, Jim enlisted in the Army and worked his way up to a warrant officer, serving his country as a Master Army Aviator in Vietnam. He flew numerous missions over South and North Vietnam and Laos accumulating over 780 combat hours. He received a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, 22 Air Medals, and the Army Commendation Medal. He was shot down on two occasions and was wounded. After five years of active duty, he continued as a full-time Reserve and Guardsman for another six years, completing thirty years in the active and inactive reserve, retiring as a major.
In his role representing veterans, he has been successful in obtaining increased compensation for many of his clients, in the areas of orthopedic, emotional and psychological and claims relating to Agent Orange. A big reason why Jim has been so successful in advocating for veterans is because Jim had to fight VA to get his service connected benefits and he knows firsthand what veterans go through.
His law experience includes more than 30 years of complex litigation in the areas of veterans’ law, aviation law, maritime law, products liability and personal injury. In recognition of his excellence in representing clients, he has been named by his peers as “Super Lawyer” by Texas Monthly, magazine, since 2005, as well as being named in the publication, “Best Lawyers in American” for over 10 consecutive years. He a member of the National Organization of Veteran Advocates (NOVA)and represents veterans before the Veterans Administration and the U. S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. He is also a member of the Viet Nam Helicopter Pilots Association.
Jim received his law degree from the University of Texas at Austin and is admitted to the State Bar of Texas. After law school, he was a law clerk to the Supreme Court of Texas. Jim is an instrument rated pilot in both airplanes and helicopters having accumulated over 9,000 hours as pilot in command and as a flight instructor. Since 1978, Jim has resided in Austin with his wife of 45 years, Susan. His two sons are presently serving on active duty as Naval and Marine officers overseas.
Active in the community, Jim is a member of Rotary International and has served at the troop, district and council levels of the Boy Scouts of America. He is an elder in the Presbyterian Church and spends his leisure time enjoying camping, hunting, sailing and flying his own airplane.
