The son of a protestant pastor, James was born in Michigan’s upper peninsula and grew up in Michigan. He was raised in a conservative Christian home alongside his two sisters, spending his early childhood years on the family farm. After attending grammar school, high school and college in Berrien Springs, James married his high school sweetheart, Angela.
Following college, James worked as a caseworker with troubled children and families at Riverwood Center in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

James was then accepted into the College of Law at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. During his law school years, he worked at small litigation firms and as an administrative hearing prosecutor for the Chicago Board of Education. The Journal of Sports Law and Contemporary Problems selected him as a staff writer. Following graduation from law school, James applied to the bars of Colorado and Illinois and was accepted to both.

James’ solid background in social services is invaluable in his role as a criminal and juvenile defense attorney. His remarkable appreciation for the complexities of human emotion, especially in trying circumstances, makes his advocacy empathetic, reassuring, and engaged.