Larry James has been at the heart of the Columbus business, legal, civic, and political scene for the last thirty years. He is a respected litigator, as well as an advisor to local and national leaders. In recognition of his many achievements, the law firm changed its name from Crabbe, Brown, Jones, Potts & Schmidt to Crabbe, Brown & James in January 2001.
In 2011, The Ohio State University selected Mr. James as lead counsel to represent its student athletes in NCAA investigations. In 2013, Armen Keteyian published his book The System: The Glory and Scandal of Big-Time College Football, a chapter of which is dedicated to Larry’s work in representing the OSU football players.
In 2012, Mr. James and his wife, Donna, were awarded the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus’ Humanitarians of the Year Award. In 2015, noted journalist Wil Haygood published his award-winning book Showdown: Thurgood Marshall and the Supreme Court Nomination That Changed America, which he dedicated to Mr. James.
Mr. James is a life member of the Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference, and he has served as General Counsel of the National Fraternal Order of Police since 2001. He is also co-founder of the African-American Leadership Academy and a member of the Board of Trustees of Kenyon College.
Practice Areas
Business/Corporate
General Defense Litigation
Employment Law
Professional Accomplishments
2014-2020
Board Member of Franklin County Guardianship Services
2011-2021
Trustee of the Kenyon College Board
2018-2019
Chair United Way Tocqueville
2018
Chair of Harlem Renaissance 100 Year Celebration for the City of Columbus
2009-2018
President of the Lincoln Theatre Association Board
2012-2015
Board Member Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
2003-2010
Founder & Chair of the African American Leadership Academy
2002-2005
Board of Trustees Greater Columbus Arts Council
1987-2005
President Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Performing & Cultural Arts
2002-2004
Co-Chair Neighborhood School Development Partnership for the Columbus Public Schools
1992-2002
Board of Trustees Columbus Museum of Art
1992-1997
Board Member Rickenbacker Port Authority
1992-1996
Board of Trustees Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau
1992-1995
Board of Trustees Columbus Zoo
1990-1992
Board of Directors Contemporary American Theater Company (CATCO)
1989-1992
Member Ohio Supreme Court’s Board of Bar Examiners
1987-1989
Board of Trustees Columbus Urban League
1985-1989
Board of Trustees Veteran’s Memorial
1984-1989
Chairman Ohio Elections Commission
Bar Admissions
United States Court of Appeals First, Fourth, Sixth, Seventh, and Ninth Circuits
United States Supreme Court
United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
Boards & Commissions
2018
Chair of Harlem Renaissance Celebration
2014-Present
Board Member of Franklin County Guardianship Services
2011-Present
Trustee of the Kenyon College Board
2009-2018
President of the Lincoln Theatre Association Board
Education
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Juris Doctor, 1977
Wittenberg University, B.A. Political Science, 1974
