Profile

James is of counsel to the firm. He has over 30 years of experience counseling individuals and small business owners in matters of wealth preservation and transfer, succession planning, individual taxation and estate planning and administration matters.

James is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. Prior to joining the firm, he served as Law Clerk to the Hon. Roger J. Kiley, U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

  • Listed in:
    • The Best Lawyers in America®, Trusts and Estates, 2003-2025 (listed for more than 20 years)
      • Lawyer of the Year (Syracuse), Trusts and Estates, 2013 
    • Martindale-Hubbell®, AV Preeminent Rated
    • New York Super Lawyers®, Estate & Probate, 2018
  • New York State Bar Association, Trusts and Estates Section
  • Onondaga County Bar Association, Past Chair, Surrogates Court Committee
  • Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel

  • Trustee, Griffin Charitable Foundation
  • Board Member Emeritus, Loretto
  • Trustee, Herbert S and Elanore L Howard Charitable Foundation
  • Former Trustee, Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo
  • Past Director, Le Moyne College
  • Past Director, Central New York Community Foundation
  • Past Director, Hiscock Legal Aid Society