James is a highly respected and accomplished attorney who focuses his practice on higher education law and sports law. With more than a decade of experience advising premier educational institutions, James is recognized for his ability to tackle the most complex and high-stakes legal issues facing colleges, universities, and athletic departments. From Title IX compliance and NCAA regulations to high-profile investigations and discrimination cases, James helps his clients navigate challenges with precision and confidence.

Areas of Expertise

• High-Stakes Investigations: A seasoned leader in high-profile investigations, James has guided institutions through complex, high-stakes cases, delivering strategic solutions that navigate legal challenges, safeguard reputations, and mitigate financial risks.
• Title IX Compliance: James is a leading authority on Title IX matters, with deep experience in managing sexual misconduct investigations, gender equity in athletics audits, developing robust policies to safeguard against harassment and discrimination, and training on all aspects of Title IX compliance.
• Compliance & Risk Mitigation: James is an experienced compliance and risk mitigation attorney who conducts thorough compliance reviews, audits, and risk analyses using advanced risk-based methodologies. He provides detailed reports with strategic recommendations to strengthen internal controls, establish robust monitoring standards, and minimize inherent and enterprise risks. James helps organizations ensure regulatory compliance, reduce liability, and safeguard operational integrity. As a proactive legal partner, James has designed and implemented key policies for college and universities, ensuring that institutions remain on the cutting edge of legal compliance.
• Employee and Student Affairs Legal Counsel: James is a trusted advisor on all matters related to employment law in the higher education setting. He has expertly managed Title VII, FMLA, ADA, and other discrimination-related issues, handling sensitive internal investigations, equal pay claims, and reasonable accommodation requests. Additionally, he offers counsel on student conduct cases, working strategically to prevent litigation and ensure institutional compliance with federal and state laws.
• Crisis Management & High-Profile Legal Challenges: James has been at the helm of some of the most critical legal matters in the higher education and athletics space, including managing a $100M class action. His ability to provide sound legal advice during times of crisis—ensuring legal strategy aligns with institutional goals and mitigating reputational risk—has been a defining feature of his career.

Professional Experience

Before joining CCHA, James was an in-house counsel at Indiana University where he served in pivotal roles where he was directly responsible for overseeing all athletics legal matters, including NCAA compliance, student-athlete legal issues, and major infractions cases. His leadership included managing high-stakes litigation, crafting and implementing institutional policies, and providing comprehensive legal advice to senior leadership, including the President and Board of Trustees.

Personal

Outside of work, James loves spending time and traveling with his wife Emily and their two daughters Hannah and Ellie.