About James Shimenga
James Shimenga Nabwangu is a distinguished business attorney based in San Francisco, California. Licensed to practice law in California since 2005, he has built a robust legal career focused on business law, arbitration and mediation, and securities law. His academic credentials include a Juris Doctor from the William & Mary Marshall-Wythe School of Law, which he obtained in 2003, and a Bachelor of Commerce in Economics from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, awarded in 1999. Nabwangu began his legal journey as an associate attorney at the Sparer Law Group in San Francisco. From January 2007 to February 2013, he developed his skills in various legal matters, particularly in business and securities disputes. His expertise in stockbroker and investment fraud became evident during this formative period.
In March 2013, he transitioned to Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., where he initially served as Director of Regulatory Compliance until November 2013. His role expanded as he became Managing Director of Regulatory Compliance, a position he held until February 2019. During this time, he played a crucial role in ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, which is vital in the fast-paced financial industry. In March 2019, Nabwangu took on the role of Managing Director of Regulatory Change Management at Charles Schwab, where he remained until January 2020. His responsibilities included overseeing significant changes in regulatory practices, ensuring that the firm remained compliant with evolving laws. Following this, he joined PayPal in February 2020 as Senior Director of Regulatory Relations, serving until October 2022.
His tenure at PayPal further solidified his expertise in navigating complex regulatory landscapes in the fintech sector. In June 2025, Nabwangu returned to City National Bank as Interim Senior Fiduciary Officer, where he continues to apply his extensive legal knowledge. Throughout his career, he has been involved in various legal matters related to securities and investment fraud. He has represented clients in arbitration and mediation proceedings, focusing on complex cases involving stockbroker fraud and investment fraud. This experience allows him to provide comprehensive legal representation in these specialized areas. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Nabwangu is dedicated to community service.
He serves as a volunteer Board Member for the Marin Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), where he supports children in the foster care system. His involvement with Marin CASA supports his advocacy for vulnerable populations. Nabwangu is also admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Northern District of California and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. His diverse legal experience and dedication to client service have established him as a attorney in the San Francisco area.
