James is a New York based lawyer with expertise in nonprofit law, business law and international law. In his private practice James helps United States and overseas persons and entities in a wide range of legal matters including incorporating and organizing non-profit organizations and business entities; structuring and implementation of complex institutional structures; evaluating, mitigating and responding to crises and compliance risks; preparing contracts, powers of attorney, policies, and other legal and quasi-legal documents; negotiating deals and transactions; providing outside general counsel services; and securing copyright, trademark and other intellectual property rights.

Prior to entering the private practice, James served as legal, executive and political affairs adviser to the Senior Adviser of a United Nations Under-Secretary-General. In this role, James played a critical part in risk and crisis management, corporate strategy, and engagements with Heads of State and Government. He also managed the Office of the Senior Adviser’s portfolios on Mayors, Senior United Nations Officials and Ambassadors. In his capacity as principal legal adviser to the Senior Adviser, James was deeply involved in transactions and interactions with multinational organizations, publicly listed companies, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), other United Nations system organizations, and municipal governments. He also supported the crafting of diplomatic correspondence and advocacy materials, and oversaw procurement processes under United Nations internal rules.

Stemming from his experience in international law, international relations and diplomacy, James has unique insight and expertise with respect to the intricacies involved in cross-border and international transactions and operations, both from the non-profit and for-profit standpoints. He has played critical roles in negotiations involving foreign (non-U.S.) entities, and with entities enjoying diplomatic or sovereign immunity; advised on compliance with, and managed compliance plans concerning, the extraterritorial application of U.S. laws, such as international sanctions administered by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; structured bilateral and multilateral partnerships to promote social good; and provided counsel on copyright and trademarks at the international level. James is also versed in preparing internationally enforceable contracts supported by international treaties, as well as preparing U.S. legal documents to be used in foreign countries.

James continues to provide legal and international relations support New York’s diplomatic community. He has assisted with the preparation of documents and organizational support during bilateral and multilateral consultations with high-level officials from government and the United Nations; provided on the ground support for international meetings and conferences in New York; prepared speeches and talking points for use on the international stage; drafted and reviewed diplomatic correspondence to Heads of State and ambassadors; and provided counsel with regard to international political strategy. James has also provided external counsel to international organization staff related to the standards of conduct of the international civil service, and related internal rules and regulations; supported the preparation of international instruments including treaties, declarations and memoranda of understanding; and advised on the privileges and immunities of diplomats under U.S. and international law.

Throughout his career, he has had the privilege and honor of preparing briefing notes to multiple heads of state, ambassadors, and secretaries-general and deputy-secretaries-general of the United Nations.

James serves as General Counsel to an internationally operating United States 501(c)(3) public charity that was formed to support and advocate for United Nations objectives, particularly in Africa and the African diaspora. In this role, he advises the its board of directors, advisory council and officers on a plethora of issues such as corporate governance, fundraising, corporate law, and not-for-profit law. Established as an informal association in the early 2000s, James was a key player in the organization’s drive towards achieving 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, and in the development of the organization’s management, organizational and international frameworks of the organization. Working alongside former and current international civil servants, legislators, academics, and leaders in media and culture, James is proud to join the race to ensure that our common home – our mother earth – is one characterized by peace, justice, respect, human rights, tolerance and solidarity.

James is an arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA); and has held membership in the New York City Bar Association, Asian American Bar Association of New York, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association and the American Bar Association. From 2012 to 2019 James served as secretary to a working group consisting of United Nations officials at the senior director, assistant-secretary-general and under-secretary-general levels, as well as ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the United Nations, that seeks to address issues of common concern between Africa and the United Nations.

James earned his Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School, where he specialized in International Law, with emphasis on International Business Law and Public International Law. He served on the Executive Board of the Brooklyn Journal of Corporate, Financial and Commercial Law as Executive Articles Editor. He received a CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Food and Drug Law in 2011, and the International Economic Law Prize in 2012.

Prior to pursuing law, James was a championship level ballroom dancer, and was dance partners with a former Blackpool champion. James also holds a Bachelor or Science degree in Dance from the University of Oregon.

In serving each client, James holds firmly to the ideals of the international civil servant, and is committed to the highest levels of efficiency, competence and integrity.