James has a Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University and a Masters of Architecture from Columbia University where he was awarded an Honor Award for Excellence in Design upon graduation. In 2002, he co-founded Slade Architecture. In addition to his work at Slade Architecture, James has taught design studios at Parsons School of Design, Syracuse University, Barnard/Columbia University, Pratt Institute, Florida International University and Philadelphia University. James is a licensed architect in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Wyoming as well as a LEED-AP, NCARB and IIDA. He has served on the Awards Committee for the 2013 and 2014 NY AIA Awards. He has served as a juror on Ohio and Iowa Chapter AIA Awards as well as the Electrolux Design Lab competition.