Ryan H. James

A Career Built from the Ground Up — Rooted in McKeesport and Western Pennsylvania

Attorney Ryan H. James founded James Law, LLC in 2012 with nothing more than a law license, a commitment to his clients, and the conviction that meaningful legal representation requires preparation, integrity, and courage. He opened his first office in a spare room of his apartment in McKeesport, where he grew up. From the beginning, the goal was never volume—it was impact.

He built his practice case by case, appearing in court constantly, taking on every serious matter he could, and earning a reputation for hard work, careful preparation, and a willingness to stand up for clients in difficult situations. Early in his practice, he learned the structure of criminal litigation by handling court-appointed post-conviction matters (PCRAs) — experiences that honed his understanding of trial errors, client advocacy, and how cases are won or lost at every stage.

Within a few years, the practice grew beyond the home office. Ryan moved through a series of increasingly larger spaces before ultimately purchasing the firm’s current building in White Oak in 2022 — solidifying the firm’s home base  and commitment to  the Mon-Valley region while expanding the firm’s reach throughout Western Pennsylvania and the Commonwealth.

Today, after nearly 14 years of trial and appellate experience, and opening a second office in Washington County (McMurray), Ryan continues to represent individuals in serious criminal matters, complex federal cases, high-stakes appeals, and professional-disciplinary proceedings. His practice remains intentionally selective to ensure that every client receives detailed attention, honest guidance, and serious advocacy.

A Practice Focused on Serious Criminal Defense

While Ryan’s early work included a broad range of civil and criminal litigation, his practice has become increasingly focused — by design — on serious criminal cases involving:

• significant felony charges,
• complex investigations,
• constitutional litigation,
• high-exposure sentencing,
• and appellate or post-conviction issues.

He regularly appears in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas and has represented clients in more than 20 counties across Pennsylvania, traveling wherever the case merits involvement. For the last several years, he has also developed a respected presence in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, handling serious federal charges and federal appeals before the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

These cases demand preparation and precision. Ryan approaches every matter deliberately — examining discovery in detail, analyzing constitutional issues, and preparing cases for trial with an eye toward appellate preservation.

Appellate and Post-Conviction Work: A Core Strength

Much of Ryan’s courtroom experience is informed by his extensive work in appeals and post-conviction litigation.

He has represented clients in:

• direct appeals in the Pennsylvania Superior Court,
• petitions for allowance of appeal in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court,
• PCRA litigation involving ineffective assistance, new evidence, and constitutional violations,
• direct appeals before the Third Circuit, and
• petitions for writ of certiorari in the United States Supreme Court.

Appellate work requires discipline, clarity, and an honest understanding of what happened in the trial court. Ryan’s appellate practice strengthens his trial strategy, and his trial experience shapes the way he approaches the record on appeal.

Clients and referring attorneys rely on him for thoughtful analysis, careful writing, and serious, structured advocacy in cases where the record must be examined line by line.

Federal Criminal Practice: Strategic, Methodical, Prepared

Federal criminal defense has become a significant part of Ryan’s practice.

He represents clients in serious federal matters involving:

• conspiracy allegations,
• large-scale narcotics investigations,
• firearm offenses including § 924(c),
• fraud and financial crimes,
• and other serious charges prosecuted in federal court.

Federal cases require an understanding of how federal agents build cases, how conspiracy doctrine expands liability, how sentencing guidelines operate, and how to position issues for both trial and appeal. Ryan’s approach is rooted in preparation, disciplined motion practice, early mitigation, and an understanding that federal sentencing advocacy must be deeply individualized if it is going to be effective.

Ethics and Disciplinary Defense for Lawyers and Judges

In recent years, Ryan has expanded his practice to include representation of lawyers and judges facing disciplinary investigations, ethics complaints, and professional-conduct questions. He also provides preventative ethics counseling to attorneys and judges seeking guidance before issues escalate.

This work is shaped by his collaboration with a colleague who has practiced disciplinary law for more than 45 years, providing mentorship, insight, and perspective into a system where judgment, discretion, and credibility are essential.

Ryan handles disciplinary matters with the same seriousness as his criminal practice — focusing on privacy, candid analysis, strategic responses, and an understanding of the stakes for a client’s license, livelihood, and reputation.

An Attorney Who Values Judgment, Preparation, and Integrity

Ryan approaches criminal defense and professional-discipline work with the understanding that judgment—not certainty—is what experience produces. His practice reflects a belief that difficult cases demand unmatched preparation and a seriousness of purpose that clients are entitled to expect.

Across every area of his practice, Ryan is guided by core principles:

These values are not marketing slogans — they are the foundation of the practice he has built over more than a decade.

Rooted in Community, Focused on Serious Cases

Ryan has intentionally kept the firm’s principal office located in the McKeesport/White Oak area, where he grew up and where the firm remains part of the community. He balances this with a regional and statewide practice — traveling wherever a case’s complexity and stakes justify involvement.

This combination of local roots and statewide reach defines James Law, LLC: a small firm with deep ties, broad experience, and a commitment to doing serious work the right way.