Gary J. James

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.

**The Best Lawyers in America® 2013. Copyright 2013 by Woodward/White, Inc., Aiken, SC.