Mr. James is a shareholder and treasurer of Wheeler Upham, P.C. He practices primarily in the areas of insurance coverage defense litigation and personal injury defense litigation. He represents clients in insurance coverage disputes, both property and liability, arising under a wide variety of policies, including CGL, auto, homeowner, renter, landlord, and professional liability. He has significant experience with claims arising under the Michigan auto no-fault statute. Mr. James has represented both plaintiffs and defendants and is well equipped to analyze issues objectively while preparing a thorough case for his clients.

Mr. James’s general civil practice also includes business, commercial, construction, employment, insurance, personal injury, probate, and real estate litigation.

Mr. James is an AM Best recommended insurance attorney. He has also been designated as a Top Lawyer by Grand Rapids Magazine for insurance law and insurance litigation.

He has argued cases before the Michigan Supreme Court and Michigan Court of Appeals.

Mr. James has co-authored a featured article in The Journal of Insurance & Indemnity Law (a publication of the Michigan Bar Association) titled “Underinsured Motor Vehicles and Setoffs for Tortfeasor Coverage” (page 11, Volume 11, No. 2, April 2018.). Mr. James also wrote “The Basics of Stacking” that was published in the same journal (page 8, Volume 11, No. 4, October 2018). He is a co-editor of the Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s book titled “A Practical Guide to Depositions in Michigan.”

Mr. James is a soccer coach in the Grand Rapids Parks & Recreation Department youth league. He is a volunteer instructor at Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills High School for the Grand Rapids Bar Association’s 3R’s (Rights, Responsibilities & Realities) Program. He has also been a volunteer instructor at Burton Elementary School for the Grand Rapids Bar Association’s Constitution Day.