John D James

John D. James was born in St. Charles, Missouri, and pursued his higher education at Tulane University. He earned his B.A. in English Literature, graduating summa cum laude. Continuing at Tulane, he obtained his Juris Doctorate from the School of Law, where he was a distinguished member of the Order of the Coif, signifying his position in the top 10% of his class.

During law school, John contributed to Tulane’s Law Review and gained practical courtroom experience through the university's Criminal Clinic. He also interned with the Lincoln County Public Defender’s Office, where he secured his first Not Guilty verdict and worked on notable cases like the “car wash shooting” in New Orleans.

In recent years, John has concentrated his practice almost exclusively on advocating for victims of police brutality, wrongful arrests, and other forms of police misconduct. After nearly a decade in criminal defense, he shifted focus to civil rights, driven by his commitment to assisting those whose lives have been disrupted by legal injustices. Though not all victims can be compensated, John is dedicated to representing those whose civil rights have been violated.

John's expertise and dedication have been recognized with his inclusion among Missouri’s Top 100 Civil Plaintiff’s Attorneys by The National Trial Lawyers. He has also been selected for the Super Lawyers Missouri & Kansas Rising Stars List from 2017 to 2022, highlighting his superior qualifications and leadership in civil plaintiff law.