About James Michael
James Michael Smedley built a foundation in two different disciplines before he entered law. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Rutgers University in 2005, completing a dual major in computer science and English. He then went on to Boston University School of Law, where he received his J.D. in 2008.
He began his legal career at Lowenstein Sandler shortly after law school, joining the firm in 2008 as a lawyer. In 2010 he served as a managing member at Sigma Law Group LLC, an early leadership role that broadened his experience in practice management and client work. By 2019 he had moved to Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, where he became partner and head of the Intellectual Property and Technology Law Group. In 2023 he joined McCarter & English LLP as a partner.
Smedley is admitted to practice in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, and he is also admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Those admissions reflect a practice that crosses state and federal forums. His career path has taken him from a large firm associate role into positions of firm leadership and group management.
Across his roles, Smedley has worked on matters that sit at the intersection of technology and law. His undergraduate background in computer science and English informs an approach that combines technical understanding with attention to written detail. At Ellenoff he led an intellectual property and technology group, overseeing client advice, transactional work and dispute response tied to emerging technologies and intellectual property assets.
Colleagues describe him as methodical in assembling technical materials and pragmatic in shaping legal strategy. He has experience managing teams and coordinating outside counsel. That practical perspective has followed him into his partnership at McCarter & English, where he continues to advise corporate and individual clients.
Smedley’s trajectory shows steady movement from associate work to leadership in IP and technology practice groups and then to partnership at a regional firm. He maintains admissions across multiple jurisdictions and the Third Circuit, allowing him to handle matters in state and federal courts. He currently practices as a partner at McCarter & English LLP, concentrating on intellectual property and technology matters.
