Atty. Mark R. James

Atty. Mark R. James

Mark R. James is a lawyer practicing corporate law, real estate, business law and 80 other areas of law.

Birmingham Birmingham 30 yrs experience 30 year
Call (313) 496-1200 Book Appointment

Business Law & More Attorney · Serving Birmingham, MI · 30+ Years Experience

Profile Summary

About Mark R. James at a Glance

Mark R. James is a Shareholder based in Birmingham, Michigan, practicing at Williams, Williams, Rattner & Plunkett, P.C.. They have 30+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1996. Their practice focuses on residential, formation, family law, estate planning, and business. Admitted to practice in Michigan (1996), U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan (1998), U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit (2000), and U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan (2001). Educated at University of Detroit Mercy School of Law (J.D., 1995) and Central Michigan University (B.S., 1992). Active member of State Bar of Michigan Oakland County and American Bar Associations. Serves clients in Birmingham, MI and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated October 2026

About Mark R. James

  • Mark R. James is a lawyer practicing corporate law, real estate, business law and 80 other areas of law
  • Mark received a B.S. degree from Central Michigan University in 1992, and has been licensed for 30 years
  • Mark practices at Williams, Williams, Rattner & Plunkett, P.C. in Birmingham, MI

Practice Areas Explained

Mark R. James's Areas of Legal Practice

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

Residential Real Estate in Birmingham

Mark R. James is one of 9,272 residential attorneys indexed nationally. Browse residential attorneys in Michigan →

Business Formation in Birmingham

Mark R. James is one of 35,326 formation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse formation attorneys in Michigan →

Family Law in Birmingham

Family law attorneys handle divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, prenups, and protective orders. Find verified family lawyers near you.

Mark R. James is one of 185,688 family law attorneys indexed nationally. Browse family law attorneys in Michigan →

Estate Planning & Probate in Birmingham

An estate planning attorney prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives to protect your family and pass on your assets.

Mark R. James is one of 224,789 estate planning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse estate planning attorneys in Michigan →

Business & Corporate Law in Birmingham

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

Mark R. James is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Michigan →

Jurisdictional Context

Why Local Counsel Matters in Birmingham

Practicing law in Michigan. Legal matters in Michigan are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Birmingham are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Michigan state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Michigan 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 Michigan courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Birmingham Courts and Legal Process

Choosing a Birmingham-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 Michigan attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Birmingham or all attorneys in Michigan.

Frequently Asked

Common Questions About Mark R. James

Where is Mark R. James's law office located?
Mark R. James's law practice is located in Birmingham, Michigan. The firm is Williams, Williams, Rattner & Plunkett, P.C.. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Mark R. James handle?
Mark R. James focuses on residential, formation, family law, estate planning, business. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Michigan.
How long has Mark R. James practiced law?
Mark R. James has 30+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1996.
Where did Mark R. James go to law school?
Mark R. James earned their education at (J.D., 1995); (B.S., 1992).
How can I contact Mark R. James for a consultation?
You can contact Mark R. 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 Birmingham Choose Mark R. 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 Mark R. James's practice in the field of residential, formation, family law, estate planning, and business.

Decade-Tested Legal Experience

Mark R. James brings 30+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.

Multi-State Bar Admission

Licensed in Michigan, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, and U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, Mark R. James can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.

Broad Practice Area Coverage

Covering residential, formation, and family law, Mark R. James can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.

Local Presence in Birmingham

A Birmingham-based practice means Mark R. 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 Mark R. James Handles in Birmingham

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

Divorce and property division
Family Law
Child custody and support
Family Law
Spousal support (alimony)
Family Law
Prenuptial agreements
Family Law
Last wills and testaments
Estate Planning
Revocable living trusts
Estate Planning
Powers of attorney
Estate Planning
Probate proceedings
Estate Planning
Business formation and structure
Business
Contract drafting and review
Business
Partnership disputes
Business
Merger and acquisition support
Business

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

Search Reference

How People Find Mark R. James Online

Prospective clients searching for legal help in Birmingham 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 Mark R. James.

Mark R. James attorney Mark R. James lawyer Mark R. James Birmingham Mark R. James Michigan Mark R. James reviews Mark R. James contact Williams, Williams, Rattner & Plunkett, P.C. law firm residential attorney in Birmingham residential lawyer Birmingham best residential attorney Birmingham top rated residential lawyer near me residential attorney Michigan 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 Mark R. James directly.

Mark R. James's Practice Areas & Specializations

Business Law Corporate Law Real Estate Asset Based Finance Asset Sales Business & Succession Planning Business Associations Law Business Development Business Dissolutions Business Enterprises Business Estate Planning Business Organization Business Planning Business Reorganization Business Start Ups Business Successions Business Transactions Business Transfers Business Valuation Buy Sell Agreements Buying and Selling of Businesses Closely Held Business Estate Planning Closely Held Business Law Closely Held Business Taxation Closely Held Corporations Commercial Finance Communications & Media Conveyancing Corporate Banking Law Corporate Commercial Law Corporate Contracts Corporate Dissolutions Corporate Finance Corporate Formation Corporate Governance Corporate Organization Corporate Partnerships Corporate Planning Corporate Real Estate Corporate Reorganization Corporate Successions Corporate Workouts Debt And Equity Finance Debt Finance Easements Entertainment Equity Finance Family Business Law Family Business Successions Family Corporations Finance Incorporation Joint Ventures Land Acquisitions Land Sales Limited Liability Company Law Pass Through Entities Private Business Law Private Finance Privatization Professional Corporations Real Estate Acquisitions Real Estate Banking Law Real Estate Contracts Real Estate Finance Real Estate Leasing Real Estate Restructuring Real Estate Sales Real Estate Secured Lending Real Estate Workouts Real Property Real Property Acquisitions Real Property Finance Residential Real Estate Residential Real Estate Acquisitions Residential Real Estate Finance Residential Real Estate Sales Right Of Way Easements S Corporations Secured Finance Small Business Corporations Small Business Law Sole Proprietorships

Education & Law School Background

J.D.
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
- 1995
B.S.
Central Michigan University
- 1992

Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions

Michigan
Admitted: 1996
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
Admitted: 1998
U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
Admitted: 2000
U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
Admitted: 2001

Client Reviews & Ratings — Mark R. James

5.0
1 Review
5 0
4 0
3 0
2 0
1 0
These reviews belong to platform users; they do not constitute advertisement or promotion for the attorney. Opinions are published for informational purposes only.

No reviews yet.