Ryan H. James

Ryan H. James

Pittsburgh Criminal Trial and Appellate Lawyer
  • Criminal Law, Appeals & Appellate, White Collar Crime ...
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Biography

I'm a criminal trial and appellate lawyer. I try cases to juries and, if necessary, I take my clients’ cases up on appeal, as far as necessary, to ensure that they've received a constitutionally guaranteed fair trial and adequate due process.

Not all lawyers are both trial and appellate lawyers; the roles are different and require different skill sets. But I believe that my doing both enables me to stand out from the hundreds of criminal-defense attorneys who are all offering either one thing or the same thing. In this dual role, my trial skills not only sharpen my appellate skills, but my appellate skills help me to be a better trial lawyer by raising arguments and preserving issues that other lawyers may not think of.

Here, I don’t guarantee dismissals or acquittals in my practice, and I don’t tell clients what they want to hear to take their case. The stakes are often too high and the justice system too unpredictable to speak to things beyond my control. What I tell clients, and what I can guarantee them, is that I’ll work hard to put the government to task, I’ll be available to answer questions and ease concerns, and I’ll be prepared to litigate the case through to the conclusion. In my practice, I’m interested in providing quality legal services instead of spread-too-thin legal services, and my record demonstrates that.

I pride myself in the work I do, and every case may not be an ideal fit. But if you have a serious issue and you need a serious lawyer, call me—it’d be my privilege to stand in your corner between you and the government.

Education
Western Michigan University Cooley Law School
J.D. (2011)
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Honors: Magna cum laude, Distinguished Student Award, President's Achievement Award
Activities: Law Review, National Moot Court
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Allegheny College
B.A. (2007) | Political Science and Philosophy
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Honors: Cum Laude
Activities: Phi Delta Theta Fraternity
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Professional Experience
Clerk-Intern
Michigan Supreme Court
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One of three intern clerks to former Justice Diane Hathaway. Assisted career clerks in review of allocatur petitions as well as in drafting bench memos for the Justice's benefit.
Student Attorney
Washtenaw County Public Defender
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Handled misdemeanor and felony client matters as a student attorney.
Awards
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Stars List
Super Lawyers
Recipient from 2018-2020
Top 40 Under 40
The National Trial Lawyers
Criminal Defense, Pennsylvania
Professional Associations
State Bar of Michigan  # P81429
Member
Current
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State Bar of Pennsylvania  # 313049
Member
Current
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Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Member
- Current
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Allegheny County Bar Association
Member
- Current
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Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
3rd Circuit
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Fees
  • Credit Cards Accepted
Practice Areas
Criminal Law
Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
Appeals & Appellate
Civil Appeals, Federal Appeals
White Collar Crime
DUI & DWI
Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Websites & Blogs
Website
James Law
Blog
James Law-Appellate Blog
Contact & Map
James Law, LLC
1514 Lincoln Way
Suite 301-302
White Oak, PA 15131
Telephone: (412) 977-1827