Ryan H. James

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.

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3rd Circuit

Clerk-Intern

Michigan Supreme Court

2011 - 2011

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

2010 - 2010

Handled misdemeanor and felony client matters as a student attorney.

Western Michigan University Cooley Law School

J.D. (2011)

2009 - 2011

Honors: Magna cum laude, Distinguished Student Award, President's Achievement Award

Activities: Law Review, National Moot Court

Allegheny College

B.A. (2007) | Political Science and Philosophy

2003 - 2007

Honors: Cum Laude

Activities: Phi Delta Theta Fraternity

Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Stars List

Super Lawyers

2020

Recipient from 2018-2020

Top 40 Under 40

The National Trial Lawyers

2018

Criminal Defense, Pennsylvania

State Bar of Michigan  # P81429

Member

Current

State Bar of Pennsylvania  # 313049

Member

Current

Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

2017 - Current

Allegheny County Bar Association

Member

2012 - Current