About James
James founded Graves Environmental Law in 2024 to create a focused practice built around close client relationships and sustained involvement in their matters. Before founding the firm, he spent ten years at Stoel Rives LLP in Seattle, where he joined as an associate and became a partner in the firm’s environmental practice.
Background & Credentials
Education
William & Mary Law School
J.D., summa cum laude, 2014
Order of the Coif · Law Review
University of Virginia
M.A., History of Religions, 2008
Doctoral study in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism
Presidential Fellow
Princeton University
A.B., English Literature, 1997
Professional Experience
Graves Environmental Law PLLC
Principal · 2024–present
Stoel Rives LLP, Seattle
Partner · 2022–2024
Associate · 2014–2022
National Geographic, Washington, D.C.
Research Manager · 2008–2011
Bar Admissions
Washington
Alaska
Recognition
Chambers USA
Ranked in Environment, Washington
Band 4 · 2026
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America
Recognized for Environmental Law 2021-2026
Speaking & Publications
Speaking
Navigating CERCLA Remedy and Cost Recovery Processes
ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources Conference · Seattle · 2024
Strategies for Addressing Environmental Liability
Northwest Environmental Business Council Northwest Remediation Conference · 2022
Strategies for Addressing Environmental Liability
Washington State Bar Association, Real Property, Probate & Trust Section · 2022
Ethical Considerations: RPC 4.2, Communications with Persons Represented by Counsel
Washington State Bar Association, Environmental & Land Use Law Section Conference
Publications & Media
Washington Environmental Justice Program Aims To Hit Stride Fast
Law360 · February 2023
How 3 States Are Leading The Way On Environmental Justice
Law360 · January 2022
U.S. Supreme Court Clarifies Superfund Law (Guam v. United States)
Reuters · July 2021
U.S. Supreme Court Upholds State Court Jurisdiction for Cleanup Claims
LinkedIn · March 2021
Beyond the Practice
James lives in the Seattle area with his wife, two sons, a dog, and two cats.
Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, pickup basketball, and strumming the few guitar chords he knows. He has also studied Tibetan and Sanskrit and is still waiting for a case that requires either.