James Helm is not your average lawyer, and that is why he has become one of the most talked-about names in personal injury law. As the founder of TopDog Law, Helm has built a legal brand that is recognized throughout the country.
The best part is that while building TopDog Law, James has stayed very true to his roots and used past struggles to guide the firm’s mission. Helm’s story is one filled with transformation and resilience, showing people it’s never too late to turn your life around.
James’ Rocky Start and a Powerful Turnaround
James Helm was born in Media, Pennsylvania. From an early age, Helm showed leadership potential, serving as the elected student council president three times at Penncrest High School. From an early age, James loved playing sports and played wrestling, football, and basketball.
However, behind all the accolades, Helm was battling personal challenges that were threatening to consume him. At 17, James suffered a wrestling injury that led to a prescription for painkillers. This moment turned into almost a decade-long battle with addictions.
The night before James went to college, Helm’s girlfriend ended their relationship and labeled him a “pill head,” which didn’t sit right with him. He vowed to stop doing pills at Penn State, but addiction is a monster that sucked him back into the cycle.
In junior year, James had to come clean to his parents. At the time, he was thousands of dollars deep in debt. After hitting this breaking point, he decided to seek help and stopped abusing pills for a while. He pushed himself and started working on both a Juris Doctorate and an MBA. However, he relapsed.
A Second Chance With Purpose
In 2016, James decided that enough was enough. He finally committed to getting sober and fully recovered in 2016. Helm joined a 90-day outpatient rehab and a twelve-step program. With his addiction behind him, James fully threw himself into his education and earned a Juris Doctor degree from Rutgers Law School, graduating cum laude. Simultaneously, he completed an MBA from Rutgers Business School with the same honors in 2018.
With a fresh start and a powerful motivation, James was ready to start his journey in the legal world. After graduating, Helm received a lucrative offer from a well-established Philadelphia law firm offering him $120,000 per year. Despite this being a dream opportunity, Helm turned it down. Instead, he chose to build something of his own, which is a law firm that prioritizes people over prestige.
In February 2019, TopDog Law was born.
The Rise of TopDog Law
What started as a small operation quickly grew into a national presence. TopDog Law now partners with attorneys across the country. TopDog Law specializes in personal injury cases, including car accidents, birth injuries, medical malpractice and sexual abuse.
But what really sets TopDog Law apart is its voice. Helm made a name for himself with bold marketing campaigns and social media. One iconic billboard read, “HAD A FUNNY SIGN BUT THE ASTROS STOLE IT.” This was a clever twist referencing the Houston Astros’ 2017 cheating scandal.
On social media, TopDog Law has a massive following with over 450,000 followers on Instagram. Helm uses this platform to break down legal concepts, react to viral videos and connect directly with the public in a way most attorneys don’t.
Looking Ahead
James Helm is not showing any signs of slowing down. As he continues to expand TopDog Law, his focus remains on helping those who need it the most while sharing his story to inspire others. Helm’s journey from addiction to advocacy shows that with grit and a fresh perspective, you can always rewrite your story.
