Gary James

Gary James Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Managing Partner
phone: 405-521-9900
toll free: 866-318-4359
fax: 405-488-0529

Gary J. James is an experienced attorney who has helped clients throughout Oklahoma with a wide range of legal matters, including criminal defense in some of the most high-profile cases in the state’s history. As managing partner of Gary J. James & Associates, P.C., in Oklahoma City, Mr. James defends clients against allegations involving murder, white collar crimes, federal criminal defense, violent crimes, drug offenses, and other criminal matters.

As a result of his numerous criminal defense acquittals, Mr. James is currently retained by Law Enforcement Associations and Law Enforcement Agencies to defend Troopers, police officers, and other Law Enforcement personnel. Mr. James devotes a vast majority of his practice to defending Law Enforcement officers in use of force investigations, the use of deadly force, and defending civil rights lawsuits. Mr. James is a frequent lecturer to law enforcement officers on these various topics. Mr. James also is a leading proponent of law enforcement related legislation, including the drafting and presentation, for the Oklahoma Legislature.

A native of Oklahoma, Mr. James received his law degree from the Oklahoma City University School of Law and quickly began building a reputation in the State for his legal abilities and professionalism.

After successfully securing an acquittal for his client in a high-profile murder trial, Mr. James received the 1996 Presidential Award for Outstanding Criminal Advocacy from the Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. Three years later, Mr. James was selected by the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System to defend Timothy McVeigh's criminal charges, including 161 State Murder Charges, stemming from the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.

Mr. James also lectures and teaches various techniques and strategies related to the defense of criminal cases, including teaching at the prestigious Patrick Williams Criminal Defense Institute, sponsored by the Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.

Mr. James was presented the Robert A. Manchesters Award by the Oklahoma County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, honoring a career dedicated to defending the rights of the accused.

Among other honors, Mr. James has received an AV Preeminent* rating for over 30 years from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible designation from the peer review service. He has and is included in lists such as the “Best Lawyers in America**, Oklahoma Super Lawyers, Top 50 Lawyers in Oklahoma, Top Attorneys in the 405, Outstanding Lawyers of America, Bar Registry of Preeminent Lawyers, and US News and World Report; Best Lawyers in America.”

Mr. James is engaged in many professional organizations, including the Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the American Association for Justice.

A former high school and college football player, Mr. James continues to participate in organizations dedicated to promoting sports and athletics in the state and at the University of Oklahoma.

*AV-Preeminent and BV-Distinguished are certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell ratings fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.

Areas of Practice:
Criminal Defense
Drug Offenses
DUI
Murder
Violent Offenses
Personal Injury
Wrongful Death
Medical Malpractice
Family Law
Divorce
Child Custody
Civil Rights
Appeals

Litigation Percentage:
75% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions:
Oklahoma, 1988

Education:
Oklahoma City University School of Law, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 1988 J.D.

Central State University/ now known as University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma, 1985
B.A.
Honors: Dean’s Honor Roll
Honors: Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society
Major: Criminal Justice

Representative Clients:
American International Group (AIG)
Ma/Com, a division of Tyco Electronics
Motor Carrier Safety Consultants, Inc.
Oklahoma State Troopers Association
Alcohol Beverage Law Enforcement Agents Association (ABLE)
Comet Cleaners, Inc.
Integris Realty Corporation
Integris Health Systems of Oklahoma
Baptist Medical Center of Oklahoma City
State of Oklahoma
Corporate Auto and Marine
Cabgal, Inc.
Jim Thorpe Association
Craftsman Roofing, Inc.
Howard Aircraft, Inc.
Oklahoma Indigent Defense System
Rightway Medical, LLC
Oklahoma Investigative Group, LLC
City of Edmond, Oklahoma
Oklahoma State Game Wardens Association
Galaxy Distributing Company
Billiards of Tulsa, Inc.
Power Products, Inc.
TriCorp Security, Inc
Southern Craftsman, LLC
City of Coweta, Oklahoma

Classes/Seminars Taught:
When is a Confession Induced?, Patrick Williams-Criminal Defense Institute-Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, June 23, 2011 – June 24, 2011

The Criminal Defense Trial From Start To Finish, Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, April 23, 2009 – April 24, 2009

Voir Dire and Opening Statement, National Business Institute, December 9, 2008

58th Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy, Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, 2008

Criminal Defense in the Death Belt III; Prosecutorial Misconduct, Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyers Association/Oklahoma County Public Defenders Office, August 23, 2007 – August 24, 2007

57th Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy, Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, 2007

Criminal Defense in the Death Belt Voir Dire/Theories of Jury Selection, Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and Oklahoma City University School of Law, 2004

Forensic Evidence: Deconstructing and Reconstructing a Crime Scene" Crime Scene Presentation, The Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and Oklahoma City University School of Law Year, 2002

Criminal Defense: Practical Advice from Practical Lawyers Practical Advice on Jury Selection, Tulsa Program, Oklahoma Bar Association, 2004

Voir Dire and Opening Statement, Oklahoma Bar Association Annual Convention, 2001

Honors and Awards:
Presidential Award for Outstanding Criminal Defense Advocacy :Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 1996

Best Lawyers in America * Non-White-Collar Criminal Defense, 2008 – Present

Outstanding Lawyers of America, 2002 – Present

Bar Registry of Preeminent Lawyers, 1996 – Present

Oklahoma Super Lawyers, 2009 – Present

Professional Associations and Memberships:
Criminal Law Committee, Oklahoma Bar Association

Oklahoma Trial Lawyers Association

American Association for Justice

Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

American Inns of Court Barrister, Luther Bohanon Inn of Court

Past Employment Positions:
Oklahoma Attorney General, Intern Investigator, 1982 – 1984

Pro Bono Activities:
Oklahoma State Mock Trial Competition- Judge, 2006 – Present
Jim Thorpe Association, 1996 – Present
Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, 1996 – Present

Ancillary Businesses:
Registered Lobbyist – Oklahoma

Fraternities/Sororities:
Sigma Chi Alpha Phi Sigma