About James B.
James B. Lewis built a layered academic foundation before entering legal practice. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies from the University of California, Berkeley (B.A., 1993). He then completed a Juris Doctor at the University of Minnesota Law School (J.D., 1993). He expanded his policy knowledge with a Master of Arts in Public Policy from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities (M.A., 1997) and later added a Master of Business Administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa (MBA, 2006).
That mix of law, policy and business shaped the early arc of his career. Records show membership in the Minnesota State Bar Association beginning in 1998. He later appears in Hawaii legal circles, with membership in the Hawaii State Bar Association listed in 2009 and the Hawaii Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in 2010. In 2013 he became a member of the National College for DUI Defense, aligning with peers who handle impaired-driving cases.
Lewis holds credentials to practice before two federal appellate courts. He is admitted to the United States Courts of Appeals for the Eighth and Ninth Circuits. Those admissions allow him to handle matters that move beyond trial courts into appellate review.
Over time his work has centered on criminal defense matters. Memberships indicate regular engagement with criminal defense organizations and specialized DUI defense training and networks. That background suggests experience handling cases where driving under the influence, sentencing, and related criminal issues are central to a client’s legal needs.
Colleagues and court records note a lawyer who blends courtroom work with the kind of preparation informed by policy study and business training. His academic steps in public policy and business provide additional perspective when legal matters intersect with regulatory issues or complex factual records. He has maintained professional ties in both Minnesota and Hawaii legal communities.
The public record lists him simply as a lawyer, and his professional affiliations trace a path from Midwestern roots to practice in the Pacific region. He continues to participate in defense-focused professional groups and in appellate practice. He concentrates on criminal defense and DUI defense in his current practice.
