Atty. Derek M James

Atty. Derek M James

Mr. Derek M James is a lawyer practicing bankruptcy & debt, corporate & incorporation, finance and 2 other areas of law.

Washington Washington 20 yrs experience 20 year
Call (202) 738-1866 Book Appointment

Bankruptcy & Debt & More Attorney · Serving Washington, DC · 20+ Years Experience

Profile Summary

About Derek M James at a Glance

Derek M James is a formation, bankruptcy, environmental, and energy attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia. They have 20+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2006. Admitted to practice in District of Columbia Virginia (2006). Educated at George Washington University Law School (J.D. High, 2005) and Stanford University (B.A., 2000). Provides legal services in Japanese Korean. Serves clients in Washington, DC and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated October 2026

About Derek M James

  • Mr. Derek M James is a lawyer practicing bankruptcy & debt, corporate & incorporation, finance and 2 other areas of law
  • Derek received a B.A. degree from Stanford University in 2000, and has been licensed for 20 years
  • Derek practices in Washington, DC

Practice Areas Explained

Derek M James's Areas of Legal Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Derek M James handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Washington.

Business Formation in Washington

Derek M James is one of 35,326 formation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse formation attorneys in District of Columbia →

Bankruptcy & Debt in Washington

A bankruptcy attorney can help you eliminate debt, stop creditor harassment, and protect your home through Chapter 7 or Chapter 13.

Derek M James is one of 104,458 bankruptcy attorneys indexed nationally. Browse bankruptcy attorneys in District of Columbia →

Environmental Law in Washington

Environmental attorneys for regulatory compliance, contamination, land use, and natural resource law.

Derek M James is one of 55,977 environmental attorneys indexed nationally. Browse environmental attorneys in District of Columbia →

Energy & Utilities Law in Washington

Energy attorneys for oil & gas, renewables, utility regulation, and energy sector transactions.

Derek M James is one of 35,985 energy attorneys indexed nationally. Browse energy attorneys in District of Columbia →

Jurisdictional Context

Why Local Counsel Matters in Washington

Practicing law in District of Columbia. Legal matters in District of Columbia are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Washington are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate District of Columbia state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in District of Columbia brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in District of Columbia courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Washington Courts and Legal Process

Choosing a Washington-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.

Looking for additional District of Columbia attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Washington or all attorneys in District of Columbia.

Frequently Asked

Common Questions About Derek M James

Where is Derek M James's law office located?
Derek M James's law practice is located in Washington, District of Columbia. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Derek M James handle?
Derek M James focuses on formation, bankruptcy, environmental, energy. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in District of Columbia.
How long has Derek M James practiced law?
Derek M James has 20+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 2006.
What languages does Derek M James speak?
Derek M James provides legal services in Japanese Korean. Bilingual representation can be especially important when contracts, testimony, or court filings require accurate translation.
Where did Derek M James go to law school?
Derek M James earned their education at (J.D. High, 2005); (B.A., 2000).
How can I contact Derek M James for a consultation?
You can contact Derek M James directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.

Professional Profile

Why Clients in Washington Choose Derek M James

Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Derek M James's practice in the field of formation, bankruptcy, environmental, and energy.

Decade-Tested Legal Experience

Derek M James brings 20+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.

Broad Practice Area Coverage

Covering formation, bankruptcy, and environmental, Derek M James can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.

Local Presence in Washington

A Washington-based practice means Derek M James attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.

Case Types

Common Legal Issues Derek M James Handles in Washington

Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Derek M James has experience with under District of Columbia law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.

Chapter 7 liquidation
Bankruptcy
Chapter 13 repayment plans
Bankruptcy
Debt negotiation
Bankruptcy
Creditor harassment defense
Bankruptcy

This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Derek M James directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.

Search Reference

How People Find Derek M James Online

Prospective clients searching for legal help in Washington commonly use a combination of the attorney's name and their specific legal need. The following search terms frequently lead people to this profile and to attorneys like Derek M James.

Derek M James attorney Derek M James lawyer Derek M James Washington Derek M James District of Columbia Derek M James reviews Derek M James contact formation attorney in Washington formation lawyer Washington best formation attorney Washington top rated formation lawyer near me formation attorney District of Columbia find a lawyer near me how to hire an attorney

If any of the above matches what you searched for, you've found the right profile. Use the contact options at the top of this page to get in touch with Derek M James directly.

Education & Law School Background

J.D. High
George Washington University Law School
- 2005
B.A.
Stanford University
- 2000

Languages Spoken — Legal Services Available In

Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions

District of Columbia Virginia
Admitted: 2006

Client Reviews & Ratings — Derek M James

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