James Conley is a seasoned litigator whose practice focuses on defending the world’s largest retailers throughout California. James partners with his retail clients to serve their unique needs in the competitive retail environment, guiding them regarding the challenges that come with managing the largest workforces in the nation—which often exceed a million employees.

Beyond retail, James also has rare class action trial experience. His practice also includes advice and counsel, best practices to avoid litigation, and drafting employee manuals and polices. Some of these policies have been subject to bargaining unit negotiation. James has honed these skills to resolve matters quickly or go the distance to win summary judgment or at trial.

Prior to law school, James worked for the Executive Clerk of The White House in the West Wing. There, James advised the President on whether he was acting within his power under Article II of the Constitution during the signature of legislation.

  • Panelist, Lessons Learned for Retailers from Covid and Game Plan for the Next Pandemic, National Retail Federation Employment Law and Benefits Conference, 2021
  • Speaker, Best Practices for Drafting California Employee Handbooks, Navigating California Employment Law, 2021
  • Speaker, Workplace Safety Trivia and Micro-Learning Discussion, California Workplace Safety: Solving the Perplexing Puzzle, 2020
  • Speaker, Is Summary Judgement Still Possible in California? Recent Success Stories, Retail Client Outside Counsel Meeting, 2018

Admissions

  • California
  • U.S. District Court, Central, Eastern, and Northern Districts of California
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Memberships

  • Orange County Bar Association
  • Los Angeles County Bar Association
  • Tahoe Truckee Bar Association

Community Involvement

  • Sacramento Superior Court Settlement Department, Judge Pro Tempore
  • Rotary International

Education

  • J.D., University of California Hasting College of the Law, 2002
  • B.A., University of Redlands, 1999

Honors

  • Best Lawyers in America®, Litigation-Labor and Employment, 2025-2026