About James
James Rice earned his law degree from Mississippi College, receiving his J.D. in 2013. Before law school he completed undergraduate studies at Millsaps College, where he earned both a B.B.A. in Business Administration and a B.A. in Philosophy, finishing those degrees in 2009. The combination of business and liberal arts study shaped a pragmatic approach to legal problems and a habit of looking for clear principles beneath complicated fact patterns.
After law school he moved into practice in Virginia. He is admitted to practice in that jurisdiction and has built his career inside its courts and regulatory system. Colleagues say he brings steady attention to procedure and an appetite for detail. He prefers to let the record speak, and he prepares cases so that hearings and filings proceed without surprises.
Early in his career he split time between client counseling and courtroom work. That mix gave him experience drafting pleadings, preparing discovery, and arguing motions. He also spent time negotiating settlements when a negotiated outcome better served a client’s interests. Those experiences helped him understand the tradeoffs clients face when they weigh litigation against resolution.
Peers describe him as methodical. He tends to deconstruct complex matters into discrete issues. That method shows up in the way he prepares witnesses and organizes exhibits. He does not seek publicity for cases. Instead he focuses on steady case management and clear communication with clients and opposing counsel. Those habits have proved useful in matters that require careful fact development and sustained attention over months or years.
He currently practices at The Simms Firm, PLC. There he continues to handle matters arising under Virginia law, advising clients, drafting pleadings, and appearing in court as needed. His work centers on serving clients through the practice’s Virginia office, where he applies his background in business and law to the practical tasks that litigation and counseling require.
