John D James

John D. James was born in St. Charles, Missouri. John received his B.A. from Tulane University with a major in English Literature. John graduated summa cum laude.

John received his Juris Doctorate from Tulane University School of Law. He graduated as a member of Order of the Coif, which is an honor bestowed on students who are in the top 10% of their class. He was also a member Tulane’s Law Review. John gained courtroom experience through Tulane’s Criminal Clinic and while working as an intern for the Lincoln County Public Defender’s Office. During this time, John obtained his first Not Guilty verdict and gained experience working on highly publicized cases, such as the infamous “car wash shooting” in New Orleans.

For the last several years, John has focused his practice almost exclusively on helping citizens who have been victimized by police brutality, wrongful arrest, or other instances of police misconduct. After spending nearly a decade focused on defending people from criminal accusations, John got tired of seeing clients’ lives being left in ruins, even after being found not guilty by a jury or having their charges dismissed by a prosecutor. While the laws do not permit every innocent person to be compensated for what happened to them, John now dedicates his professional career to helping those who have suffered due a violation of their civil rights.

John has received the honor of being named one of Missouri’s Top 100 Civil Plaintiff’s Attorneys by The National Trial Lawyers. This honor is extended exclusively to those individuals who exemplify superior qualifications, trial results, and leadership as a Civil Plaintiff’s lawyer. John was selected to the Super Lawyers Missouri & Kansas Rising Stars List 2017-2022.

Tulane University School of Law

J.D. (2008) | Law

2005 - 2008

Honors: Summa Cum Laude; Order of the Coif; Honors in Trial Advocacy

Activities: Criminal Law Clinic

Tulane University

B.A. (2005) | English Literature

2001 - 2005

Honors: Summa Cum Laude; Departmental Honors in English; Phi Beta Kappa

Attorney

James Law Group, LLC.

2008 - Current

I've spent my entrie career helping individuals who are forced to fight insurance companies, the government, or powerful entities.

The Missouri Bar  # 61070

Member

Current

Missouri

The Missouri Bar

ID Number: 61070

8th Circuit

ID Number: 61070Mo

Since 2009

• Free Consultation
  There are no fees to talk to us.
• Credit Cards Accepted
• Contingent Fees
  We charge an industry standard 40% in civil rights cases and 33% for car wrecks and similar general personal injury cases.
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  contingent fees apply to civil rights, personal injury, and insurance claims. Criminal cases are charged as flat fee based on the charges and the work involved. Other cases are done on an hourly basis, billed at $400/hr

• Contract litigation

Q. Facing domestic assault charge, unsure if legal representation needed.

May 2, 2025

A: You are charged with a serious felony. Regardless of the facts, you need experienced legal counsel

Q. My brother faces increased prison time for theft; options?

May 2, 2025

A: If the offer was specifically "accepted," it should be enforceable on the prosecutor. Merely waiving the prelim is likely not enough to enforce a plea deal. Until the offer is formally accepted, the prosecutor is free to withdraw a recommendation.

Q. Seek advice on handling a hit-and-run and dealing with a truck reported stolen, involving police interest in Missouri.

May 2, 2025

A: Leaving the scene of the accident is a felony. There is little you can do now except to not talk about it. If you are lucky, you won't get charged. If you get charged (or arrested), do not try to explain anything to the police. Don't say anything at all, ask for a lawyer.

As for the stolen car, you are under no obligation to talk to the police - either voluntarily or if they try to speak to you or arrest you. Should anyone try to talk to you about the truck, request an attorney immediately.