Legal Services & Lawyers

I run a solo criminal defense writing practice in beautiful Santa Fe, New Mexico. I write for talented trial attorneys in state and federal district court cases, and for my own clients in state and federal appeals from criminal convictions. I also represent people who have received a state or federal grand jury target letter or subpoena, for intense and timely defense in the grand jury phase, because it is far better to never become a criminal defendant.

Jim's first job (at 25 cents an hour) was working at Kentch's Rexall Drugstore for his father and grandfather in a small Pennsylvania town. At an early age he learned the importance of recognizing what the customer needs and how best to provide it.

Between college and law school, when the Shah still ruled, Jim taught English as a foreign language on an Army base in Iran.

The first year out of law school Jim worked for a nonprofit organization, The Center for Law and Health Care Policy, in Brooklyn, N.Y. He headed North to Alaska in 1980, where he practiced law for over 18 years as a VISTA lawyer for Legal Services, an Assistant Attorney General in Alaska for the Consumer Protection Division, an Assistant Public Defender, the Assistant Director of the Alaska Public Offices Commission, and in private practice. He taught advanced Constitutional Law for two years at the University of Alaska at Anchorage. For almost four years he stayed home fulltime with his two children, and he regards this as his best and most worthwhile job.

While in Alaska Jim was on a team of lawyers that settled an antitrust case against the North Slope Borough for over seven million dollars. With another lawyer Jim represented a 12 year old boy who unfortunately lost both legs when a train ran over him. This case against the Alaska Railroad and the Municipality of Anchorage settled for $500,000.

Jim settled in Santa Fe (23 Alaskan winters were enough!) in 2003. In 2007-2008 he worked for the New Mexico Environment Department helping to keep the Land of Enchantment clean. He opened his current law office in March 2009.

Personal

An avid outdoorsman, Jim hikes, snowboards, cross-country skis and bicycles regularly. He also enjoys reading. Languages are a special interest of Jim's, and he knows--to one degree or another--seven languages. He is especially proud and fond of his two sons. Gavin currently attends law school at the University of Michigan. Dylan is an elite wilderness racer, placing second in the 2002 Iditasport Classic while 17 years old.

Reported Cases

Alaska v. Planned Parenthood, 35 P.3d 30 (Alaska 2001); Cooperating Attorney, Alaska Civil Liberties Union Foundation

Alaska v. Beans, 965 P.2d 725 (Alaska 1998)

LaVigne v. State, 788 P.2d 52 (Alaska App. 1990)

A.B.M. v. M.H., 651 P.2d 1170 (Alaska 1982)