Ryan H. James

Ryan H. James, an attorney with vast experience in trial and appellate practice, is the proprietor of James Law, LLC, in White Oak, Pennsylvania, offering legal counsel on a variety of criminal law matters ranging from homicides to drug offenses, sexual assault, white collar crimes, DUI and DWI charges, and more throughout Allegheny, Westmoreland, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, Washington and Fayette counties.Mr. James has carved an enviable niche in the legal profession, competently trying cases in both federal and state courts to both judges and juries. He has also navigated Disciplinary Board hearing committees. He has accumulated a rich repertoire of experiences across 18 different counties across the Commonwealth, from successfully defending clients facing charges ranging from first-degree murder to serious sexual offenses and DUIs. Elected officials rely on him to protect those they care about, and he has been sought out by three separate district attorneys to advise and represent them.Furthermore, lawyers, judges, doctors, and parents for their children have relied upon Mr. James for representation. Within his appellate practice, he has briefed and argued over 50 cases in the Superior Court, Commonwealth Court, and the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Some of his cases have set precedents in the area of sentencing, post-conviction litigation, SORNA registration, property forfeiture, and juvenile-dependency proceedings.  Additionally, Mr. James has had the honor of serving as PCRA counsel, privately and by appointment, in nearly 100 post-conviction cases.A cum laude graduate of Allegheny College in 2007, Mr. James earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2011. While in law school, he was a managing editor of the Law Review.Mr. James is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania (2012) and Michigan (2017). He additionally admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.Having vied for a seat on the Superior Court of Pennsylvania in 2019, Mr. James was "Recommended" by the Allegheny County Bar Association  for possessing the legal knowledge, experience, and demeanor to excel as a judge of that court. His membership on the Criminal Justice Act panel in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and the Local Rules Advisory Committee, as well as his election to the ACBA's Judiciary Committee, further highlight his status as a respected legal practitioner.Mr. James also holds the qualification of capital counsel in Pennsylvania. Additionally, he’s a past attendee of the National College of Capital Voir Dire. This remarkable professional journey, coupled with his exceptional legal knowledge, credentials and character, make him a strong advocate for those facing criminal and disciplinary charges.