James A. Lewis, V is an employment attorney and serves as an administrative chief at the firm.

James brings more than 15 years of legal experience including working closely with clients across the government, non-profit and private sectors in a variety of employment related contexts providing guidance and counseling in compliance as well as representation in federal state and administrative matters.

James assists clients in the development of policies and procedures including preparing employee handbooks and providing anti-harassment and anti-discrimination training. James is also a recognized expert in preventative counseling. He frequently collaborates with human resources leads and general counsel providing legal advising and best practices on a wide variety of employment matters, including counseling clients in reaching organizational objectives and mitigating litigation risks.

As a leader within the firm, James leads educational and collaborative initiatives which have included supporting the development of a revamped mentorship program within the firm, providing attorneys with external facing mentorship experiences for area law students and high school students, and bringing a wide array of leadership education to and for the firm drawing speakers which have included sitting federal judges, best-selling authors, and Fortune 50 executives.

Prior to joining the firm, James served as a law clerk for the Ocean County Superior Court of New Jersey, and as the inaugural law clerk for the Hon. Michael A. Shipp, U.S.D.J.

HONORS & AWARDS

For his service, James has received a number of awards, honors and distinctions.  In 2024, James was named a Finalist for the New Jersey Law Journal Innovator Award. He was also recognized as a NJBiz 40 under 40 Honoree and a NJBiz Leader in Law Honoree. In 2024, he was also named on the ROI: Influencers Power List.

In 2022, James was recognized by the New Jersey Law Journal as a “New Leader of the Bar,” which recognizes professionals under the age of 40 across law firms, corporate legal departments, or other organizations in the New Jersey legal community for their notable achievements and outstanding potential. They are selected based on their development of the law, advocacy and community contributions, service to the bar as well as peer and public recognition.

In 2021, he was recognized with the Young Lawyer Award by the New Jersey State Bar Association.

In 2019, he was named the Professional Lawyer of the Year by the New Jersey State Bar Association.

Networks & Affiliations

• Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
• American Bar Association
• Garden State Bar Association (President, 2023-2024)
• Hispanic Bar Association
• Kismet of Kings (Board Member)
• National Bar Association
• New Jersey Law and Education Empowerment Project (Advisory Board Member)
• New Jersey Law Journal Young Lawyer Advisory Board (Past Board Member)
• New Jersey State Bar Association (Past Board Member)
• New Jersey Supreme Court Civil Practice Committee (Former Member)
• New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Jury Selection in Civil and Criminal Trials (Member)
• New Jersey Supreme Court, District Ethics Committee (VB) (Former Member)
• New York City Bar Association
• The Ethical Community Charter School (Board Member)