About James Michael
James Michael Sawyer took on the role of managing partner at DeCarlis & Sawyer, PA in 2019. The firm is one of the more long-established law offices in North Central Florida. It has handled many prominent criminal defense and personal injury matters in the Alachua and Marion County areas. Sawyer practices out of that firm and is often referred to as J. Mike Sawyer in local courtrooms.
His title is straightforward, but his daily work is varied. As managing partner he oversees firm operations and helps guide case strategy. DeCarlis & Sawyer, PA has a record of resolving cases through both negotiation and trial. That record shapes how the firm prepares each file and how it presents matters in court.
Criminal defense and personal injury law form the backbone of the firm’s docket. The office regularly appears in Alachua and Marion County courts, handling jury trials, bench trials, and plea negotiations. Cases brought to the firm range from misdemeanor and felony defense to claims arising from vehicle collisions and other injuries. That mix keeps the calendar busy and requires close attention to both courtroom procedure and client communication.
Sawyer’s practice sits at the intersection of litigation and client counsel. He works on investigations, pretrial motions, settlement talks, and trial preparation. The firm’s practice history shows a pattern of resolving significant local matters either before trial or by presenting cases in front of juries. Those outcomes reflect the tactical choices made by lawyers at the firm and the priorities of clients in the region.
Outside of court, the managing partner role involves supervising younger lawyers and coordinating with staff to keep cases moving. The firm’s long presence in North Central Florida means it handles a steady flow of matters tied to local calendars and rules. That experience gives the office a practical sense of timing and procedure that matters in litigation.
In 2026 Sawyer remains engaged in courtroom work and case management. He practices criminal defense and personal injury law in Alachua and Marion counties.