After graduating in 1995, Jim remained actively involved with the chapter, and received the Alumni of the Year Award for his prolonged service. Jim continued his education at Stetson University, where he received his JD Degree in 1998.
Jim began his legal career as an Assistant State Attorney at the Jacksonville State Attorney’s Office. He then became a Staff Attorney in the Law Offices of Maria E. Trenzado, a Miami Staff Counsel Office for Geico General Insurance Company. Subsequently, Jim helped establish and manage the Miami staff counsel office for the personal lines automobile division for AIG. The division soon joined with Farmers Insurance Company, and eventually became the Law Offices of Brown & Leano, which was the branch legal office for Farmers Insurance Group.
After nearly a decade working for these national insurance companies, Jim established his own personal injury law firm, James E. Leano, PA in Coconut Grove, Florida where he is now diligently representing those that have been injured as a result of another individual’s or entity’s negligence, including personal injury, automobile accidents, slip and fall, and general negligence issues. He also became a Board-Certified Specialist in Civil Trial litigation.
Having established himself, his career, and his family, Jim sought to reconnect with Pi Kappa Phi. The opportunity came when the Alpha Chi chapter was re-chartered at the University of Miami in 2008. Jim played a vital role in the re-establishment of the chapter, helped secure them a house on campus, and served as their re-chartering chapter advisor. The Alpha Chi chapter has since become a leading force on campus and an example for other chapters around the nation, having won several awards in recent years at Pi Kapp College for Chapter Officers. Jim currently still serves on the board for the Alpha Chi housing corporation nearly 10 years later.
Over the years, Jim has provided employment opportunities for younger members of the local Pi Kapp chapters. Two other alumni, from the University of Miami and Florida International University, have worked at Jim’s law firm as interns and law clerks. Jim is always eager to participate in the Pi Kappa Phi community by sharing experiences with other brothers and maintaining a connection with the national fraternity.