James draws on a variety of experience both inside and outside Washington, and both private and public-sector. He joined Torridon Law PLLC after serving as an Investigative Counsel for Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa in his capacity as Ranking Member of the Budget Committee and then Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. James handled dozens of congressional investigations and oversight issues.
Prior to his time with Senator Grassley’s office, James served in prior Senate Judiciary Committee roles, both as a summer law clerk for the late Senator Tom Coburn and later as Counsel for Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona. In this latter role, James assisted with legislative issues, as well as on the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to be Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
James clerked for the Honorable Chad A. Readler on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Columbus, Ohio.
Early in his legal career, James spent several years as a contract attorney, helping firms in Richmond, Virginia and the Washington, D.C. area conduct electronic discovery in a wide array of matters, including civil litigation, regulatory compliance, and internal investigations. Before attending law school, James served in a number of positions, including fundraising and development for his nonprofit alma mater, Thomas Aquinas College, in Santa Paula, California.
Clerkship
• The Honorable Chad A. Readler, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
Education
• Notre Dame Law School, J.D., magna cum laude, 2013
• Thomas Aquinas College, B.A., with “double distinction,” 2008
Bar Admissions
• Virginia
Contact
T: 202.249.6900
jlayne@torridonlaw.com