James was born on February 6, 1969 in Atlanta, Georgia. After being raised in Atlanta, James decided to attend Drake University to experience life in the Midwest. He remained in Iowa for the next seven years while earning a Bachelors of Science in Mathematics (1992) and a Doctor of Jurisprudence with Honors (1995) at Drake University.

James was admitted to practice in Florida and started his career working for the State of Florida as an Assistant State Attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida where he became a lead trial attorney. After three years as a prosecutor, James entered private practice in Florida in 1999. From 1999 until returning to Iowa in 2004, he gained substantial trial experience in the areas of personal injury, medical malpractice, economic fraud, and nursing home abuse cases.

James is married to Sarah (Neumann) Biscoglia of Adel, Iowa. In 2004 James and Sarah returned to Iowa to raise their family in the Midwest. James joined LaMarca & Landry to assist in the firm's practice in the areas of personal injury, medical malpractice, and nursing home abuse.

James is admitted to practice law in all the State and Federal courts in Iowa. He is also admitted to practice in Florida, licensed before the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, and admitted to practice before the United States Court of Federal Claims.