About Mr. James Riley
Mr. James Riley Hodder earned his law degree from Suffolk University Law School in 2004. He finished at a time when the Massachusetts legal market was changing quickly. His early legal education included traditional classroom work and the practical training Suffolk emphasizes. That grounding shaped the next steps of his career.
Hodder moved into private practice in the mid-2000s. In 2007 he joined Ellis & Associates as an associate lawyer. There he handled the day-to-day demands of firm life: client intake, legal research, drafting pleadings and supporting more senior attorneys in litigation and transactional matters. Three years later he took a position at Rubin, Rubin & Wilcox, where his title was listed as Lawyer in 2010. The move reflected a steady progression through law firm ranks and a willingness to take on broader responsibilities.
Over time Hodder built experience in matters that required both careful preparation and courtroom readiness. His work in firm settings involved interacting with clients, preparing briefs, and participating in discovery processes. Colleagues from that period described him as someone who managed detailed work and met firm deadlines. He practiced under the supervision of senior attorneys and handled pieces of larger cases as well as smaller, discrete matters for individual clients.
Hodder is admitted to practice in Massachusetts and before the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. That combination allows him to work on matters that begin in state courts and extend into federal appellate proceedings. It also means he has navigated both local court rules and federal appellate procedures during his years in practice.
He has spent the bulk of his career in firm environments, moving from associate roles to positions with greater responsibility. Those transitions gave him exposure to a range of legal tasks. He has experience preparing court filings, conducting legal research, and advising clients on procedural aspects of their cases.
As of 2026 Mr. James Riley Hodder continues to practice law in Massachusetts and is admitted to appear before the First Circuit. He maintains an active practice in those jurisdictions.
