About James
James Madsen studied political science and history before moving to law school. He earned a B.A. from American University in 2007 and completed his J.D. at Drexel University in 2011. Those years framed his early legal training and his entry into the Pennsylvania bar, and they remain the bookends of a practice that began soon after graduation.
He established Madsen Law Offices in 2011, opening a small practice geared toward clients in his community. The first years were hands-on and practical. He handled routine filings, courtroom appearances, and client consultations, building a practice from the ground up. In 2015 he took on a partner role at Spitale Vargo Madsen & Blair, a move that added firm-level management and broader casework to his resume. That partnership broadened the scope of matters he handled and offered experience in coordinating with other lawyers and managing more complex litigation.
Professional memberships have been consistent since the start. He has been a member of the Northampton County Bar Association since 2011 and also joined the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers the same year. Those affiliations reflect ongoing ties to the local legal community and to colleagues who practice criminal defense across the state. He has attended association meetings and participated in continuing legal education opportunities connected to those groups.
Colleagues describe his work style in plain terms: steady, thorough, and practical. He prepares cases for trial when necessary and seeks resolutions when that serves a client's interest. He is accustomed to courtroom procedure, pretrial motion practice, and client counseling. Day-to-day work includes drafting pleadings, negotiating with opposing counsel, and appearing in county courts. The focus on courtroom readiness is balanced by the need to manage case intake and client expectations in a small-firm setting.
Throughout his career Madsen has kept a local base of operations, returning to the practice he founded even after the partnership experience. He continues to maintain ties to Northampton County and the wider Pennsylvania bar. Today he practices at Madsen Law Offices where he handles criminal defense and related matters for clients in Pennsylvania.
