James Butler

Biographical Sketch

James Butler is a seasoned legal mind, civil rights advocate, and community leader with more than two decades of legal, academic, and public service experience in the Washington, D.C. region. He currently serves as a private civil rights representative, advocating on behalf of clients before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Merit Systems Protection Board, and the District of Columbia Office of Human Rights. Over the course of his career, he has handled more than one hundred mediations and has built a reputation as a skilled negotiator and mediator in complex employment and civil rights matters.

In addition to his legal past practice, Professor Butler works as an independent contractor with a Maryland-based law firm, where he conducts complex legal research, drafts and reviews documents, and advises on compliance-related issues. Earlier in his career, he founded and managed Butler Legal Group, PLLP, where he led a team of attorneys and support staff handling a high-volume caseload involving civil and criminal matters, including litigation against major corporations and insurers. His professional experience also includes roles in healthcare law, corporate and employment law, and appellate advocacy.

Professor Butler has a strong commitment to education and public discourse. He currently serves as a political commentator and strategist for two international news networks, providing analysis on U.S. politics. He has also held multiple adjunct faculty positions, teaching courses in business law, contracts, torts, and legal writing to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. His teaching has consistently earned high marks from students and peers.

A dedicated public servant, Professor Butler has been actively involved in civic leadership and community engagement. He served as an elected Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner in Washington, D.C., where he worked collaboratively with residents and government agencies to improve public safety and neighborhood conditions. He has also run for mayor in the District of Columbia, demonstrating his commitment to public service and his focus on issues such as affordable housing and crime reduction.

Professor Butler is also deeply engaged in nonprofit and community work, serving in leadership roles across numerous organizations. He is Chairman of the Board of a national foundation focused on supporting at-risk youth and families, and he serves on multiple nonprofit boards dedicated to education, economic empowerment, public health, and the arts. In these roles, he provides strategic direction, ensures organizational compliance, and helps advance initiatives that strengthen communities.

He earned his Juris Doctor from The Ohio State University College of Law, where he was a member of the Journal on Alternative Dispute Resolution and a participant in moot court competitions. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Corporate Public Relations and Business Management from Kent State University, where he received multiple academic honors.