James graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelors Degree in Natural and Mathematical Science in 1983.  He graduated from the University of Dayton School of Law and was admitted to practice in Ohio in 1991.  Since that time, his practice has primarily emphasized  personal injury, medical malpractice and wrongful death cases.  James is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, the State of Indiana and the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana.

Prior to his law career, James worked in the field of exploration geophysics in the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Norway, Egypt, Tunisia and other parts of North Africa.