James focuses his practice on sports and higher education law and helps institutional clients manage difficult matters involving students, faculty, and staff members. In his time as in-house counsel to a university, James was the primary athletics attorney system-wide and provided legal advice on matters such as Title IX, name, image, and likeness, and potential major NCAA infractions cases. James advises on and conducts high-profile investigations with an eye on political, public relations, and financial implications, including those related to Title IX, coach and student-athlete misconduct, and discrimination. James advises on a wide variety of student and employee matters including Title VII, FMLA, ADA, Title IX, Equal Pay Act, and Section 1983 and constitutional claims. He also proactively helps his clients through compliance assessments and policy and procedure reviews.

James earned his undergraduate degree in Economics and Political Science from Northwestern University and his J.D., cum laude, from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. James played football at Northwestern, where he was Academic All-Big Ten his junior and senior seasons. Prior to entering law school, James was a trade desk analyst at Performance Trust in Chicago.

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