Overview Experience Case Studies Insights Events News Outside the Office Community Leadership

A.J. James

Senior Associate

Kansas City
phone: 816.983.8418
fax: 816.983.8080

email: [email protected]

Overview Experience Case Studies

Insights Events News

Outside the Office Community Leadership

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Overview

A.J.’s experience as a varsity baseball player influences how he approaches legal matters: with teamwork, time management and appreciation for diversity.

A.J. has represented universities and colleges in a wide variety of complex litigation, including matters of Title IX, Title VI, Title VII, state and federal employment disputes, Section 1983 claims and class action claims. A.J. has also represented clients in commercial litigation concerning employment disputes, premises liability, tort claims and contract disputes. He has frequently represented clients in mediation and settlement negotiations for these matters. A.J. has handled appellate cases both as a respondent and appellant in the course of his practice.

In addition to litigation, A.J. also works with educational entities at all levels to draft policies and procedures, comply with regulatory requirements and engage in program reviews by the U.S. Department of Education. A.J. also assists in training educational entities on compliance with various legal obligations and conducting investigations. A.J. frequently advises collegiate institutions on various athletic-related matters, including NCAA compliance and risk management.

He's excited to be working in the education industry where the stated mission for a client is to make the world a better place. In that spirit, A.J. also makes significant contributions to the firm's pro bono efforts, representing victims of human trafficking as a part of Husch Blackwell's Human Trafficking Clinic.

Industries

Education

Healthcare

Life Sciences

Services

Financial Services Litigation

Higher Education

Human Trafficking Compliance

Insurance

Title IX

Recognition

Education Law Association, August Steinhilber Award for Best Brief Writing in the Appellate Courts, 2023
Missouri Bar Pro Bono Wall of Fame, 2019

Education

J.D., University of Kansas School of Law
- CALI Award, Business Organizations and Corporate Finance
- Best Team Project for Civil Procedure Discovery Exercise
- St. Thomas More Society, President
- Kansas Journal of Law & Public Policy, Staff Editor
- Business and Commercial Law Certificate
- Moot Court Council Member
B.S.B.A., Appalachian State University
- Finance and Banking; Risk Management and Insurance
- Varsity Baseball, Southern Conference Champion
- Dean’s List
- North Carolina Excess and Surplus Line of Insurance Scholarship
- Walker College of Business Financial Round Table Discussion speaker

Admissions

Missouri
U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri
U.S. District Court, District of Kansas
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois

Experience

Drafted and argued dispositive motions, motions opposing appointment of receiverships and discovery-related motions.
Directly managed all aspects of discovery including drafting and responding to discovery requests, defending depositions and compelling necessary responses.

White Papers | June 27, 2022

Contributor, Summary of Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Title IX Regulations (2022)

Webinar | May 20, 2025

U.S. Department of Education's Dear Colleague Letter on Race in Education - May 2025

Webinar | April 18, 2023

Navigating Issues Involving Student Death and Serious Injury

Webinar | March 22, 2022

Issues in Higher Education | Legal Considerations and Best Practices for Diversity Hiring Initiatives in Higher Education

Issues in Higher Education Webinar Series

Webinar | August 24, 2021

Issues in Higher Education | Investigations Involving Student Athletes: Issues to Consider and Best Practices

Webinar | December 15, 2020

Labor & Employment in Higher Education Year-in-Review 2020

Issues in Higher Education Webinar Series

News Releases | December 05, 2023

Husch Blackwell Education Team and the Council of the Great City Schools Win Best Brief Award from the Education Law Association

News Releases | August 04, 2022

Council of the Great City Schools Files Amicus Brief in Higher Education Admissions Cases

Outside the Office

Baseball wasn’t the most important part of his college years: A.J. met his wife at school. They are involved in their church, and two young daughters keep them busy.

A.J. and one of his daughters, Faye, on Father's Day 2018 at a Kansas City Royals game

A.J. with one of the boys he helps coach in baseball

Community Leadership

A.J. had several influential sports mentors over the years and he pays that back by coaching a baseball team of 9- and 10-year-old boys. A.J. and his wife are also active in many Catholic charities.