Since I was young, I’ve aspired to become a lawyer after seeing firsthand how many people in my community lacked access to affordable, quality legal representation. I joined Lavelle Law because its mission, delivering exceptional legal services at reasonable rates, aligns perfectly with my own values. I am dedicated to guiding clients through the often confusing and stressful legal landscape with diligence, creativity, and care. My goal is to ensure that every client feels supported and confident knowing I am fully committed to protecting their interests and achieving the best possible outcome for their case.
Education
- J.D., Chicago, Kent College of Law - Focus on Civil Litigation
- B.A., cum laude, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - Political Science and Minor in Communications, Sigma Alpha Lambda Leadership & Honors Society
Bar Certifications
- Admitted to the Bar of the Illinois Supreme Court
- Admitted to the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Bar Association Memberships
- Illinois State Bar Association
- Chicago Bar Association
- Cook County Bar Association
Awards and Recognition
- SBA Excellence in Leadership Nominee – Chicago-Kent College of Law, 2025
- Dean's Honors Award – Chicago-Kent College of Law, 2023-2025
- Dean Zacharias Merit-Based Scholarship Recipient – Chicago-Kent College of Law, 2023-2025
Instructional Experience
- Teaching Assistant – Chicago-Kent College of Law, Legislation Doctrinal Course, Fall 2024 and 2025 with Professor Marder, and Spring 2024 with Professor Shapiro.
Community Involvement
James is passionate about giving back through meaningful legal and community service. From August 2024 through May 2025, he served as a Pro Bono Legal Consultant with AdministerJustice in Chicago, providing one-on-one consultations to community members facing challenges in property, estate planning, and contract matters. Working alongside experienced attorneys, he helped develop strategies to ensure that underserved individuals received compassionate and effective legal assistance.
During the Fall 2024 semester, James served as a Judicial Extern in the Chancery Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County, where he assisted a sitting judge with legal research and writing. His work included drafting bench memoranda on motions for summary judgment, motions to dismiss, and petitions for injunctive relief. The experience offered valuable insight into equitable proceedings and the judicial decision-making process.
At Chicago-Kent College of Law, James demonstrated a strong commitment to leadership and inclusion as Vice President and Treasurer of the First-Generation Law Student Association. He helped establish the organization’s first-ever First-Generation Scholarship, organized professional development panels, and led fundraising efforts to support diversity and mentorship initiatives for first-generation students.
Earlier in his career, James gained international exposure as an Operations and Marketing Intern with the International Law Institute in Washington, D.C., where he supported global legal education programs for visiting delegates. He helped prepare materials for international development seminars, coordinated visits to institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, and managed the Institute’s outreach and communications.
