James R. (“Jim”) Hoy is a shareholder at Maring Williams Law Office and is licensed to practice law in North Dakota and Minnesota. He dedicates his practice to helping people. Specifically, he helps people who have been seriously injured or who have lost a loved one due to someone else’s fault. Oftentimes, it is the result of an automobile or oil field incident, but not always. No matter the cause, he takes great pride in helping people overcome challenges resulting from their injuries or loss and giving them a voice in the legal process.
In recognition of his efforts, Jim was annually (2017-2021) named a “Rising Star” in the personal injury category by Super Lawyers, a rating service of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. He was also named a 2023 Great Plains Super Lawyer in the personal injury category, an honor reserved for only 5% of Great Plains lawyers. He was further recognized for inclusion in the 2022, 2023, and 2024 editions of The Best Lawyers in America in the category of “Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs,” including being named the “Lawyer of the Year” for Bismarck in that category in 2023. In the 2024 edition, he was also recognized for inclusion in the category of “Commercial Litigation.”
The son of an attorney, Jim knew from a young age that he wanted to spend his life in worthy causes. After growing up in the countryside, near Harwood, North Dakota, he graduated from West Fargo High School. He, then, attended the University of North Dakota and graduated with an undergraduate degree in business management and a master’s degree in business administration. While completing these degrees, Jim competed on the UND men’s basketball team and served as a team captain. In recognition of his success on the court and in the classroom, he received Academic All-Conference and Commissioner’s Honor Roll awards.
After his collegiate basketball eligibility expired, Jim attended law school at UND. Before earning his law degree with distinction, Jim served as the editor-in-chief of the North Dakota Law Review and as the president of the Student Trial Lawyers Association. He also competed on the moot court team. In recognition of his oral advocacy skills, Jim was elected to the Order of Barristers. After law school, Jim served as a law clerk to the Honorable Dale V. Sandstrom of the North Dakota Supreme Court.
In addition to helping injured people, Jim takes great pride in his community. He has served in numerous capacities in various community organizations. Currently, he and his firm are involved with EndDD, a program presented to local high schools in an effort to reduce distracted driving. Jim serves as an executive board member of the North Dakota Association for Justice, as a past chairperson of North Dakota’s Pattern Jury Instruction Commission, as the current chairperson of the North Dakota Federal Practice Committee, as a member of the West Fargo High School Hall of Fame Committee, as the vice-president of his church’s council, and as the president of his church’s foundation. He also coaches youth sports and serves as an assistant varsity boys’ basketball coach for Kindred High School. In recognition of his volunteer efforts with the Kindred basketball team, Jim earned a Community Service Award in 2021 from the State Bar Association of North Dakota.
In his free time, Jim enjoys outdoor activities, reading, and spending time with family and friends. Jim, his wife, and their three children live near Kindred, North Dakota.
