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
