About Ryan James

Since 2012, Ryan James has owned and operated James Law, LLC, a criminal-defense trial and appellate firm located in White Oak, Pennsylvania.

Ryan is a respected trial and appellate practitioner. His trial work has involved trying cases in both federal and state court to judges and juries. He’s successfully defended everything from first-degree murder to serious sex-assault cases, to DUIs in 18 different counties throughout the Commonwealth.

Full Bio & Resume

Our Focus

The sole focus of James Law is defending the rights and liberties of those who’ve been accused of crimes. We provide criminal-defense representation both in the trial and appellate courts.

Trial-level Services

  • Pre-complaint investigation & negotiation
  • Bond hearings
  • Preliminary hearings
  • Formal arraignment
  • Motions practice
  • Investigation
  • Trials (from summary offenses to homicide)
  • Sentencing
  • Post-sentence motions

Appeal-level Services

  • Bond pending appeal
  • Petition for Review
  • Notice of Appeal
  • Record preservation and review
  • 1925(b) Statement of Errors
  • Appellate briefs
  • Reproduction of records
  • Oral Argument
  • Petitions for Allowance of Appeal
  • Amicus briefs
  • PCRAs (post-conviction relief petitions)

Our Process

Here, the goal is quality over quantity. Every case and every client that comes through the door isn’t the right fit. I purposefully limit the cases that I take so each client’s case is given adequate attention and I’m not spread too thin.

I founded this practice on the idea that clients needed to be better informed and more involved in their representation. I valued an education component to my practice, where I could educate clients on the law and the process thereby enabling them to have a greater hand in the objectives of their case. To do so, of course, requires time.

When clients choose me, therefore, I optimize my time to be available to them—personally answering my phone—and to be well-prepared to address their questions and concerns. I make it a point to stay up to date on published appellate decisions touching on the subject of criminal law and procedure from the U.S. Supreme Court, the Third Circuit, and Pennsylvania’s appellate courts, so I’m more prepared than both the judge and the prosecutor.

That level of attention, admittedly, comes at a premium. My time and advice are my “stock in trade”—as Abraham Lincoln is famously quoted as saying—and in that regard I differentiate myself from other lawyers who offer free consultations as a means to generate traffic. Here, I request a consultation fee because I endeavor to provide something of value, and that fee ultimately goes towards the overall fee if I undertake representation in your case. I fully embrace that this doesn’t make me the most-sought-after lawyer, but it makes me a more effective one for those who have serious issues that deserve serious attention.

The criminal process requires preparation, and preparation requires adequate time and attention. I’ll allow my prior cases to speak to the level of preparation and attention that I give to every case.

The Guarantee

I guarantee that I’ll be prepared and ready to fight for you to receive due process from the beginning to the end.

Fill out the form or call 412-896-1349 to request a consultation.

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