Atty. Jeffrey A. "Jeff" James

Atty. Jeffrey A. "Jeff" James

Jeffrey A. James is a shareholder with SEBRIS BUSTO JAMES and serves as the firm's Managing Partner.

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Profile Summary

About Jeffrey A. "Jeff" James at a glance

Jeffrey A. "Jeff" James is a employment and litigation attorney based in Bellevue, Washington, practicing at Sebris Busto James. Admitted to practice in Washington, WSBA. Educated at Seattle University (J.D. magna cum laude, 1988) and Western Washington University (BA cum laude, 1984). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Labor Law - Management (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment (2026). Serands clients in Bellevue, WA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Jeffrey A. James is a shareholder with SEBRIS BUSTO JAMES and serves as the firm's Managing Partner
  • He has represented employers in labor and employment matters since 1988
  • Jeff's practice focuses on helping employers comply with state, federal and local employment laws and defending employers when litigation arises
  • He also prosecutes matters on behalf of employers seeking to enforce employment agreements, restrictive covenants, or other obligations
  • Jeff is a trial and appellate attorney who has successfully represented clients in proceedings before state and federal courts at all levels, as well as before administrative agencies and in alternative dispute resolution proceedings
  • Jeff is a frequent speaker at legal and industry seminars on issues affecting the workplace
  • Jeff has been actively involved in federal, state, and local bar associations for over two decades
  • He is admitted to practice before the U.S
  • District Courts for the Western and Easter Districts of Washington, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court
  • He is the past-Secretary of the Executive Board of the Washington State Bar Association – Labor & Employment Law Section, and past- Chair of the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers – Employment Law Committee
  • He is also a member of the Washington Bar Association, Intellectual Property Section
  • the King County Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section
  • and the American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section, where he serves as Management Co-Chair of the Trial and Appellate Advocacy/Employee Rights and Responsibilities Subcommittee
  • He is a past member of the Washington State Bar Association Labor and Employment Executive Committee, past member of the King County Bar Association Board of Trustees, past Management Co-Chair of the ABA-ERR Technology Subcommittee and past member of the Seattle Children’s Pediatric Bioethics Advisory Council
  • Jeff has been repeatedly named as a "Super Lawyer" by Washington Law & Politics and is listed in The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers in Seattle and in Chambers USA
  • He has received the highest possible peer review rating for competency and ethics (AV) by Martindale-Hubbell
  • He was named a 2016 "Lawyer of the Year" for Employment Litigation - Seattle

Practice Areas Explained

Jeffrey A. "Jeff" James's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Jeffrey A. "Jeff" James handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Employment Law

Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.

Jeffrey A. "Jeff" James is one of 169,120 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in Washington →

Civil Litigation

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

Jeffrey A. "Jeff" James is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Washington →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Washington

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

Looking for additional Washington attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Bellevue or all attorneys in Washington.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Jeffrey A. "Jeff" James

Where is Jeffrey A. "Jeff" James's law office located?
Jeffrey A. "Jeff" James's law practice is located in Bellevue, Washington. The firm is Sebris Busto James. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Jeffrey A. "Jeff" James handle?
Jeffrey A. "Jeff" James focuses on employment, litigation. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Washington.
Where did Jeffrey A. "Jeff" James go to law school?
Jeffrey A. "Jeff" James earned their education at (J.D. magna cum laude, 1988); (BA cum laude, 1984).
How can I contact Jeffrey A. "Jeff" James for a consultation?
You can contact Jeffrey A. "Jeff" 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.
What awards or recognition has Jeffrey A. "Jeff" James received?
Jeffrey A. "Jeff" James's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management; Best Lawyers in America — Labor Law - Management; Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment; Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:; Best Lawyers in America — Arbitration and Mediation.

Education

J.D. magna cum laude
Seattle University
- 1988
BA cum laude
Western Washington University
- 1984

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Labor Law - Management
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Arbitration and Mediation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Class Actions
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Covenants Not to Compete
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — COVID-19
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Defense
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Disability
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Electronic Discovery
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Health Care
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Management
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — State and Federal
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Title VII Litigation
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Labor and Employment (Seattle)
- 2016

Bar Admissions

Washington, WSBA

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