About Thomas

Thomas James is an attorney based in Cokato, Minnesota, specializing in copyright and trademark law, business law, and appeals. Since 1995, he has been practicing law, bringing over two decades of experience to his clients. His firm, the Law Office of Tom James, is conveniently located at 440 North Broadway Avenue, Cokato, MN 55321. This central location allows him to serve clients, ranging from individuals to small businesses. Mr. James earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles, California, a prestigious institution known for its rigorous legal training. Prior to that, he completed his undergraduate studies with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of California, Berkeley.

This strong educational background gave him critical thinking skills essential for navigating complex legal issues. In 2022, he furthered his expertise by obtaining a Certification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from International TEFL and TESOL Training, demonstrating his commitment to continuous learning. Admitted to practice in Minnesota, Mr. James also holds licenses in the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. This extensive legal reach allows him to represent clients in a variety of jurisdictions. He is also authorized to represent clients before the U.S.

Trademark Trials and Appeals Board, further solidifying his expertise in intellectual property law. His knowledge of these areas enables him to provide clients with informed and effective legal counsel. Throughout his career, Mr. James has demonstrated a dedication to professional development and community service. He has taught Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses for attorneys and legal professionals, sharing his knowledge and experience with peers. His volunteer work includes providing pro bono services to nonprofit organizations through LegalCORPS and SCORE. Additionally, he serves as a mock trial judge for high school students, fostering the next generation of legal minds, and acts as an arbitrator on the Dispute Settlement Board, contributing to fair dispute resolution.

Professionally, Mr. James is an active member of several legal organizations. He is part of the American Bar Association’s Copyright and Emerging Technologies Committee, which focuses on the evolving landscape of intellectual property law. His memberships also include the Minnesota State Bar Association, the Hennepin County Bar Association, the Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association, the Authors Alliance, the Internet Law Network, and the National Association for the Self-Employed. Furthermore, he serves on the National Parents Organization's Advisory Board, advocating for family law reform. Mr. James has authored several books, including "IP Law for Non-IP Attorneys," "Website Law and E-Commerce Law: The Legal Compliance Handbook for Online Businesses," "Domestic Violence: The 12 Things You Aren’t Supposed to Know," and "The History of Custody Law," showcasing his extensive knowledge and commitment to educating others in the legal field.

Education

International TEFL and TESOL Training

Certification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (2022) | English Language

2022

Southwestern Law School

J.D. | Law

University of California - Berkeley

B.A. | Philosophy

Languages

English (Spoken, Written)

Experience

CLE Instructor

Echion
2021

Lawyer

Law Office of Thomas James
1995

Accepted Jurisdictions

8th Circuit
Minnesota
Federal Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court

Court Admissions

U.S. Supreme Court U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit U.S. Circuit Court
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit U.S. Circuit Court
Minnesota Supreme Court State Supreme Court

Types of Cases Handled

copyright law trademark law business law appeals

Legal Services Scope

Litigation Appellate

Certifications & Awards

Certification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

International TEFL and TESOL Training

Mediator

Dispute Resolution Institute

Professional Associations

Minnesota State Bar

has membership Current

American Bar Association

has membership Current

LegalCORPS

Volunteer attorney Current

SCORE

Volunteer instructor Current

Copyright Alliance

has membership Current

Nonfiction Authors Association

has membership Current

Hennepin County Bar Association

has membership Current

Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association

has membership Current

Authors Alliance

has membership Current

Internet Law Network

has membership Current

National Association for the Self-Employed

has membership Current

National Parents Organization

Advisory Board has membership 2021 - Current

Office Locations

Main Office

 440 Broadway Ave N Cokato MN 55321