James M. Mcadams

James Michael (Jim) McAdams, attorney in San Pedro, California, passed away at his home surrounded by his family due to multiple medical conditions on June 4, 2020. In his legal practice, he specialized in maritime personal injury litigation and workers compensation for nearly 45 years.

McAdams was born on June 29, 1945, in Hobbs, New Mexico to Harry M. McAdams and Gladys Crume McAdams, grew up in Hobbs, and graduated from Hobbs High School as valedictorian and senior class president in 1963. He was on the basketball and debate teams. His political leanings began in high school and followed him through his college years, a direct influence from his father who later served as a state senator for the state of New Mexico and his grandfather who was a political appointee of the Wilson and FDR administrations. However, Jim never actively participated in politics by running for office.

He attended the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque on scholarship and graduated in 1967 with a B.A. in political science and history. He attended graduate school there on a fellowship and wrote his M.A. thesis on the office of Attorney General in New Mexico. He received his M.A. degree in 1968. McAdams served as student body vice president at UNM from 1967-68 and was selected to the National Supervisory Board of the National Student Association, serving briefly as chairman in 1968. He also served as a student intern with the New Mexico Secretary of State’s office in 1968 at Santa Fe, New Mexico.

McAdams entered the U.S. Navy in January, 1969, and attended Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. He was commissioned as an ensign in May and was assigned to teach history and government at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. He developed 12 different courses there and also taught part-time at Monterey Peninsula College and Golden Gate College of San Francisco- Monterey. In this activity he was following his mother’s influence, who was a high school teacher. He was promoted to lieutenant j.g. and then to full lieutenant in 1972.

He completed his service in the navy and attended law school at USC from 1972 to 1975, participating in moot court competition (highly regarded courtroom practice). Law school included an internship at the Center for Law and Justice in East Los Angeles. He then joined the prestigious law firm of Magana, Cathcart and Pierry in Wilmington, California in 1975. He later served as a partner in succeeding law firms with Thomas J. Pierry II, Michael Moorhead, Xavier Trujillo, Joseph P. Pierry II, Thomas J. Pierry III, F. J. Ford, Robert Ford, and Alan Shenoi. He became the partner of Thomas J. Pierry III when the firm expanded to San Pedro in 2006. McAdams was involved in cases of many kinds, including decisions at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals which ultimately resulted in the creation of new, favorable laws impacting injured workers. He handled more claims under the Longshore Act, under the State Labor Code and in civil courts than virtually any other lawyer in California. He loved representing his clients and their families, and they loved him in return.

His quiet Christian beliefs impelled him to support the poor and disadvantaged in his community who needed legal representation. After he became an attorney, McAdams was active in supporting the Legal Aid Foundation in Long Beach (part of the time as its president) and served on the Legal Aid Foundation Board in Los Angeles. He, along with others, created the Long Beach Grand Cru which became one of the West Coast’s major wine competitions/festivals. Serving as marketing chair on the Grand Cru board, McAdams created the mechanisms to raise funds (over one million dollars) in support of the Legal Aid Foundation’s programs. Aside from his work with the Legal Aid Foundations, McAdams’ interests included participating in and touring with the Welsh Choir of Southern California, attendance at and support for operas, and extensive travel in many countries around the world.

McAdams was married to Grace Villalino in 1989 and became a husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather,

and step-father of two sons at that time. She survives. He is also survived by stepson Karl Villalino, retired USMC sergeant-major, and son Raymond Michael McAdams, an Albertson’s employee and San Pedro artist. His grandson Matthew is a USMC sergeant and his granddaughter Elizabeth has an executive position with the Arizona Department of Transportation. She is the mother of his great-grandson Michael, a student in the Phoenix area where his family lives. His daughter-in-law Dr. Deanna Villalino is a nurse anesthesiologist in Arizona. They are his beloved.

McAdams is survived also by his sister Diane Gladow and her husband Dean, and their three children, Deborah (Ferrell), David, and Daniel and their spouses and children. They live at various locations in Kansas, Iowa, Louisiana, and Missouri. They are also his beloved.

McAdams also leaves many friends, current and former associates and clients. as well as many much loved Villalino in-laws. His parents, including a stepmother, Barbara Andrews McAdams, predeceased him.

McAdams lived a long and interesting life and had many stories to tell, like most lawyers. He was a Christian and tried to share his faith with those in his life. He hoped he was successful. He had a talent for bringing people together and mediating disputes, and he was always ready to laugh. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends and all who knew him.

Interment will be at Green Hills (Rancho Palos Verdes), and a celebration of life ceremony is pending. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles or the charity of your choice.


Family and friends of James are invited to share their favorite photos, video memories and heart felt messages on his Tribute page on the Green Hills Mortuary Website.