James Helm is a Philadelphia-based personal injury attorney and social media influencer who is the founder of TopDog Law, a national marketing network for personal injury law firms.
Helm was born and raised in Media, Pennsylvania and attended Penncrest High School, where he was elected student council president three times, and Penn State. [1] He then graduated cum laude from Rutgers Law School and simultaneously earned a degree cum laude from Rutgers Business School in 2018. [2]
He founded TopDog Law in February 2019, turning down an offer from a top-tier firm to do so. [1] He and the firm have gained attention for their creative billboard campaigns and aggressive social media marketing efforts. [2] [1] Billboards placed by Helm's firm can be seen throughout Philadelphia. [2] A notable example of Helm's marketing is a billboard on Philadelphia's Schuylkill Expressway (I-76), referencing the Houston Astros’ 2017 World Series cheating scandal. The sign read, “HAD A FUNNY SIGN BUT THE ASTROS STOLE IT,” capturing attention from commuters and media. [3] [4]
On social media, Helm's account has amassed over 400,000 Instagram followers and he has been described as an influencer at law. [5] He frequently posts legal analyses of viral videos, such as a crash on Arizona's State Route 347, where he explained which driver was likely at fault. [5]