Beginning his career at Sani & Barnhouse in New Philadelphia, Ohio, he engaged in the general practice of law. By 1983, he started practicing at R E Goforth Co LPA, where he focused on representing injured workers in their administrative workers’ compensation claims before the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and Ohio Industrial Commission for 13 years.

Since then, James has continued his focus on the area of workers' compensation law throughout his career — working for firms throughout Ohio such as Zwick Law Offices Co LPA and Brian Law Firm. He brings decades of welcome experience to the team at McGonegal & Struhar, joining the firm as of January 2020.