About James
James Helm paired a business degree with a law degree in 2014. He earned a J.D. from Rutgers Law School the same year he completed an MBA at Rutgers School of Business. Before that he studied political science at Pennsylvania State University, graduating in 2009.
After law school he spent time in the federal courts. In 2016 he served as a judicial intern for the Honorable L. Felipe Restrepo on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. That experience offered a close look at appellate procedures and the workings of a federal courtroom.
Helm moved into private practice after those early legal posts. In 2019 he became the lawyer-owner of TopDog Law, Helm Group LLC. As the principal of a small firm he handles the business and operational side of the practice alongside client work. His dual graduate degrees inform both sides of the role.
His background in political science and business provides a foundation for the types of matters he accepts. The internship on the Third Circuit gave him perspective on litigation strategy and appellate argument. Colleagues describe him as methodical in preparing cases and practical in advising clients on procedural and business implications.
Licensed to practice in Pennsylvania, Helm has built a practice centered on serving clients in that jurisdiction. He maintains professional contacts from his years at Rutgers and in the federal courthouse. Those relationships help when coordinating filings, court appearances, and client needs across the state.
He continues to operate TopDog Law and Helm Group LLC, where he manages the practice and represents clients in Pennsylvania matters. He currently focuses on providing legal services through his firms in Pennsylvania.
