J.R. Elias

As a trial lawyer, mediator, and published author, Mr. Elias has a record of excellence:  

Elias has successfully represented businesses, partners and shareholders, realtors, physicians, architects, oil and gas developers, and other professionals in complex business litigation, regularly taking on and defeating well-funded defendants and large defense firms. He has also handled personal injury, wrongful death, and other civil lawsuits, and a select family law docket. 

Elias prevailed at jury trials, bench trials, hearings, and arbitrations in state and federal court,  landing millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements, before leaving litigation at the end of 2014 to open 30A Mediation on the Gulf Coast of Florida. 

Elias opened 30A Mediation in January, 2015, delivering litigation solutions to Northwest Florida residents and businesses. He completed a Florida Supreme Court-certified mediation training program, served as president of an alternative dispute resolution board, and has helped countless would-be combatants reach settlements and avoid unnecessary legal fees and stress. In 2019, Elias expanded his practice outside of the Northwest Florida area and now conducts mediations and arbitrations across the country.  30A Mediation is now known as Elias Mediation.

An Omaha native, Elias graduated from the University of Nebraska and was a decorated journalist in Nebraska and Wyoming in the 1990s, winning 14 annual awards for excellence from the Associated Press, Nebraska Press Association, and Wyoming Press Association before transitioning to law.

Elias graduated with Highest Honors from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 2004. He was the sole recipient of the school's Outstanding Trial Advocate award two consecutive years, was Law Review Notes & Comments Editor, was named the top student in several classes and to the Order of Barristers, and won all three of the school's annual mock trial competitions (civil, criminal, appellate). He also served as a federal judicial intern.

Scribes: The American Society of Legal Writers, selected Elias's published "Pigskin Paydirt: The Thriving of College Football's BCS in the Face of Antitrust Law" as one of the nation's 10 best law review articles of the year. 

Elias is the author of Pushed, a gripping nonfiction account of a controversial murder case, which has repeatedly hit Number One on the Amazon Kindle Bestseller List for its genre. The bestseller is available at: PUSHED on AMAZON. 

Elias has also begun a series of crime-fiction legal thrillers, not yet published. And a literary agency recently signed a contract to represent a children's picture book Elias wrote with his daughter.

The father of four, Elias has served as coach of more than 20 youth sports teams, from baseball to softball to soccer to basketball, on the boards of directors of two youth sports organizations, and, less importantly, in numerous legal organizations. He is also an active beach volleyball player.

Elias has taught workshops and seminars about trial skills, closing arguments, media law, and other legal subjects.