James Leonard Brown

James Leonard Brown was born in Kansas City, Missouri to William and Georgia Elizabeth Brown on February 14, 1941. He was the fifth son in a family of nine children. During his early school years, James, who was affectionally known as “Jim” to his family and friends, developed a love of learning and reading which persisted throughout his lifetime. William and Georgia Brown immediately established a family culture of academic excellence, and education was identified as the number one stepping stone to a better life. From early childhood, Jim exhibited humbleness, compassion, and the art of wisely counseling many who were in need as if they were part of the Brown nuclear family.

Jim attended Central High School in Kansas City where he was an exceptional student. Upon his high school graduation, he received a four year scholarship to the University of Missouri at Kansas City, where he majored in Business Administration, with a concentration in Accounting, while simultaneously working as a part-time accountant/bookkeeper for his uncle, real estate tycoon, Alfred Zollar. From January through June 1962, Jim worked part-time for the Kansas City, Missouri Board of Education as a Student Supervisor. He was on the Dean’s List for three years, as well as a member of the Dean’s Book Club. He was recruited to become a member of the Torch and Scroll Honor Society, and the Society for Advancement of Management. Jim received the Financial Executives’ Award, and the Institute of International Auditors’ Award. He was also active in the All-Student Business Association and the Student Bar Association. As the top student in the 1963 accounting class, as well as the top student in the School of Business Administration, Jim graduated “with distinction.”

Thereafter, Jim attended the University of Southern California Law School in Los Angeles, graduating in June of 1967 with a J.D. (Juris Doctor) degree. He was admitted to the California Bar on December 21, 1967 and admitted to the Nevada Bar on October 5, 1989. In addition to being admitted to the Supreme Courts of California and Nevada, he was admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the U.S. District Court, in the Central District of California, the U.S. District Court, in the Southern District of California, in the Northern District of California, as well as the U.S. District Court in the District of Nevada.

Jim practiced law for over 56 years, concentrating in general civil and commercial litigation, including employment discrimination, labor law, insurance coverage disputes, real estate, injury, and wrongful death claims. He had significant trial experience in hundreds of cases and tried numerous cases to verdict or judgment in state and federal courts on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants alike. He handled various creditors’ rights matters for the Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Jim obtained a $6 million recovery for the RTC, and the recovery was written up in the December 1994 issue of Trial Digest. He was also one of the attorneys who participated in the litigation team retained by the California Insurance Commissioner regarding the $1.8 billion municipal bond - guaranteed investment contract (“GIC”) dispute, in connection with the Executive Life Insurance Co. (“ELIC”) receivership. Additionally, Jim prevailed as lead appellate counsel in two Ninth Circuit U.S. Appeals Court published decisions involving labor law and collective bargaining.

Jim was a dedicated and successful attorney, and his prowess earned him numerous awards, distinctions, certifications, and memberships. Jim was certified in Civil Trial Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy since October, 1993. He was a member of the Las Vegas chapter of the National Bar Association, the Nevada Trial Lawyers Association, and the American Trial Lawyers Association. He has been a Panel Chapter 7 Trustee in the Central District of California Panel since July, 1998. Jim and his life and legal partner, Mona, were both part of the less than 1% of lawyers selected to join the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, one of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in the United States, limited only to attorneys who have won million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements.

Despite his numerous impressive accomplishments academically and professionally, Jim Brown was a soft spoken and humble man, and seldom spoke of his accolades and successes. He was known for his altruism and compassion, and throughout his personal life and legal career, Jim had a positive impact on the lives of many. Helping the underserved was a priority of his, and he focused on advocating for those who had been victims of exploitation or discrimination.

Over the years, Jim and Mona were able to combine two of his favorite pastimes and travel around the world while exploring new restaurants, for Jim was a dedicated foodie. There was not a continent on the planet that they did not explore and enjoy. They especially enjoyed spending time in Barbados and island hopping with Dr. Richard Williams and GiGi, while Richard would set things on fire with his mellow jazz trumpet sessions. In 2023, fulfilling a life long dream for a trip to the Italian coasts, Jim and Mona turned their niece Betty’s wedding in Germany to a whole vacation and tour of Italy. Jim, Mona, Ted, Sara, Ethie, Kebret, and Mara all enjoyed touring Florence and the Amalfi Coast, enjoying the sunsets, scenery, and plenty of pistachio gelato. Jim returned home from every trip holding hands with Mona with a smile on his face and a song in his heart.

Jim was a dedicated football fan and lifelong supporter of the Kansas City Chiefs. Jim also had a variety of interests such as jazz, literature, and film, and was quite the erudite. Of all things though, he most valued time with his family. He immersed himself in the Ethiopian and Eritrean cultures of his wife and her family, and as an honorary Ethiopian himself, Jim embraced the culture, people, religion, and cuisine wholeheartedly and with gusto.

Jim leaves to cherish his memory his devoted and loving wife Mona, son Sirak Mengesha, and grandson Isaiah Mengesha. Other family members include: Mara, David, Bruke, Kisanet, Abel, Donna Grace and family, Frank, Denai, and Sophia, Saba, Wiemi, Sophie, and Derek, Aunt Margrette Brooks (Kansas City), sisters-in-law Marsha, Ethiopia and her husband Kebret, Sara and her husband Ted, and Ester, two brothers, Gerald Brown and family, and Glenn Brown, his brother-in-law Telly Roberts, Sr., his nephews Donald Brown Jr., Telly Roberts Jr., Shaphan Roberts, Micah Roberts, and Jeffrey Brown, his cousins Villa Pollard, Alfred Zollar, Jr., Donna Rhea McCraney, Willa Jo Zollar, Anthony Zollar, James Zollar, Walter Brown, Jr., Chandra Brown, Barbara Brown (Chicago), Valerie Brown (Kansas City) Dierick Brown, Steven Brown (Kansas City), just to name a few.

Jim was at peace with his world, his family and his life. He left a lasting footprint on his family, friends, and his profession. May God continue to bless Jim’s soul as he returns home. He will be greatly missed for all of our days. His spirit is eternal.