James’s practice focuses on regulatory compliance, emerging contaminants, environmental review and renewables.
James advises clients who are working to understand the complicated and shifting regulatory environments surrounding emerging contaminants, with a particular emphasis on PFAS. He has extensive knowledge on PFAS regulatory compliance at the federal and state level. James's clients include textile and apparel manufacturers, outdoor recreational product manufacturers, and retailers.
He also has experience with permitting and defending projects on public lands, with particular emphasis on renewable energy development. He has worked on cases arising under the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, National Forest Management Act, Federal Land Policy & Management Act, and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, & Liability Act.
Prior to joining Marten Law, James clerked for Chief Judge Brian M. Morris of the United States District Court, District of Montana in Great Falls, MT. He graduated from Harvard Law School (cum laude) where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Harvard Environmental Law Review, while also earning an MPP from the John F. Kennedy School of Government. He gained significant experience in environmental law while interning for the U.S. Department of Justice and the Natural Resources Defense Council. He also interned for the Massachusetts Senate Counsel’s Office and with the Navajo Nation Department of Justice in Window Rock, AZ.
- Represents global apparel retailer and manufacturer with PFAS regulatory compliance
- Counsel to technology company developing autonomous, all-electric delivery vehicles in compliance with CAA
- Counsel to Fortune 100 company defending enforcement action brought under state air quality laws
- Defense counsel to agricultural client regarding land exchange and environmental analysis issues
- Counsel to private community association seeking a more robust analysis of a proposed transportation project and its effects on the local ecosystem
- Trial Counsel to New Mexico local governments for recovery of costs to remediate municipal water supplies contaminated by hazardous substances used by private companies and the U.S. military
- Appellate brief for industry associations seeking to intervene in ESA litigation (Defenders of Wildlife et al. v. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Nos. 21-16382, 21-16383, 21-16384 (9th Cir.))
- Pro bono amicus brief on behalf of gun violence prevention organizations in public nuisance case against gun manufacturers (Estados Unidos Mexicanos v. Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc., et al., No. 1:21-cv-11269 (D. Mass.))
Education & Clerkship
- J.D., cum laude, Harvard Law School (2020)
- M.P.P., Harvard Kennedy School (2020)
- B.A., cum laude, Harvard College (2014)
- Law Clerk to the Honorable Chief Judge Brian Morris, United States District Court for the District of Montana (2020-21)
Admissions & Memberships
- State Bar of Massachusetts
- State Bar of Washington
- U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
Recognition & Activities
- Co-Chair, American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA)'s PFAS Working Group
- Member, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA)
- Lecturer of Law, Brandeis University, Spring 2022
- Co-Instructor, Boston College Law School, Spring 2021
- Lecturer of Law, Boston College, Spring 2020
- Teaching Fellow, Harvard College, Fall 2019
- Awarded Harvard Certificate for Distinction in Teaching
Publications & Presentations
- Speaker, Outdoor Industry Association, "PFAS: Navigating the Future of Policy, Compliance, and Phase-out," October 2022.
- Panelist, American Apparel and Footwear and Association, "PFAS - Where are We Now and Where are We Headed and How Do We Get There," July 2022
- Speaker, Outdoor Industry Association, "The Forever Chemicals Landscape: An Update on PFAS Regulations and Litigation," June 2022.