Overview
Larry has been at the heart of the Columbus business, legal, civic, and political scene for the last four decades. He is a respected litigator, as well as an advisor to local and national leaders.
Larry’s clients see him as a true advocate and business partner. He serves as general counsel for various entities, working with clients to navigate Ohio’s administrative agencies and their complex rules and regulations. He understands his clients’ culture and goals.
While Larry has gained a wealth of legal experience in his 46 years of practice, his main focus is on business and corporate law, as well as general liability defense and employment matters. He counsels clients on best practices, policies and contracts and when necessary, defends clients facing litigation.
Outside the office, Larry volunteers his time to several causes. As co-founder of the African American Leadership Academy, Larry is dedicated to increasing the number of African American leaders in central Ohio. Previously, Larry served as President of the Lincoln Theatre Association Board and President of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Performing & Cultural Arts, as well as a Board Trustee for the Greater Columbus Arts Council, Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and Columbus Urban League. He also helped establish the Columbus Bar Association’s minority clerkship program.
Larry’s leadership in arts advocacy and civil rights has led him to be recognized with numerous awards over the years. In 2024 Larry James was honored as a recipient of the James Preston Poindexter Award during the Columbus City Council's annual Black History Month Celebration. The award recognizes those who have established a legacy in Columbus by improving the city and ultimately enhancing the lives of others. He was also honored with the Steve McClure Service Award in 2024 by the Franklin County Treasurer’s Office and Franklin County Court of Common Pleas General Division in recognition of his many accomplishments in leadership and service. In 2022 Larry was honored with the Columbus Bar Association’s Professionalism Award in recognition of his long history of exemplifying the highest standards in the legal field. In addition, Larry and his wife, Donna James, were presented with the 2022 Harrison M. Sayre Award presented by the Columbus Foundation in recognition of their incredible generosity and philanthropic contribution to central Ohio. When Larry and Donna are not occupied with their philanthropic efforts, they enjoy collecting art. Larry has been known to bring some of this art to the office.
Larry is licensed to practice in front of the District Court for the Northern District of Ohio; District Court for the Southern District of Ohio; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit; U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit; District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan; and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Experience
Membership & Involvement
- Chair: Gateway Film Center
- Former Chair: United Way Tocqueville; Harlem Renaissance 100 Year Celebration for the City of Columbus; African American Leadership Academy (Founder); Greater Columbus Arts Council; Neighborhood School Development Partnership for the Columbus Public Schools (Co-Chair); Ohio Elections Commission
- Former Board Member: Franklin County Guardianship Services; Trustee of the Kenyon College Board; Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; Columbus Museum of Art; Rickenbacker Port Authority; Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau; Columbus Zoo; Contemporary American Theater Company (CATCO); Columbus Urban League; Veteran’s Memorial
- Former President: Lincoln Theatre Association Board; Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Performing & Cultural Arts
- Former Member: Ohio Supreme Court’s Board of Bar Examiners
Honors
- Columbus City Council Poindexter Award: 2024
- Franklin County Treasurer’s Office and Franklin County Court of Common Pleas General Division, Steve McClure Service Award: 2024
- Selected to Ohio Business Magazine's Ohio 500: 2023
- Columbus Bar Association’s Professionalism Award: 2022
- Selected to National Black Lawyers Top 100: 2021
- Selected to Columbus Business First Power 100 List: 2021
- Selected to Columbus CEO Top Lawyers List: 2020
- Selected to Best Lawyers® in Administrative/Regulatory Law Lawyer of the Year" in Central Ohio: 2019
- Selected to The Best Lawyers in America® in Administrative/Regulatory Law: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2025
- Selected to The Best Lawyers in America® in Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships): 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2025
- Selected to the Ohio Super Lawyers list: 2006, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
- The Columbus Foundation’s Harrison M. Sayre Award: 2022
- Honoree of the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) Gala Celebration: 2022
- Legacy Honoree of Sankofa: Celebration of Leadership: 2022
- National Fraternal Order of Police President’s Award: 2019
- Selected to serve on Magistrate Judge Selection Committee by the U.S. District Court: 2017
- Cleveland-Marshall Law Hall of Fame Inductee: 2018
- Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation Julian Sinclair Smith Celebration of Learning Award: 2018
- Ohio Civil Rights Commissioners’ Community Spirit Award: 2018
- Columbus Museum of Art 2018 Art Celebration Award: 2018
- Greater Columbus Arts Council Partner Award: 2018
- Lincoln Theatre Association Walk of Fame Inductee: 2018
- Ohio Lawyers Weekly "Lawyers of the Year": 2000
Resources & Insights
In the Media
Speaking Engagements
Published Works
Firm News
- 110 Amundsen Davis Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers® in 2025 in America110 Amundsen Davis Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers® in 2025 in America
We are proud to congratulate 110 of our attorneys on being recognized by Best Lawyers® in 2025 in America.
- Larry James Receives Steve McClure Service AwardLarry James Receives Steve McClure Service Award
The Franklin County Treasurer’s Office in partnership with the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas General Division has awarded Larry James the 2024 Steve McClure Service Award.
- Larry James Honored by Columbus City Council with 2024 Poindexter AwardLarry James Honored by Columbus City Council with 2024 Poindexter Award
Congratulations to Larry James who was honored as a recipient of the 2024 James Preston Poindexter Award during the Columbus City Council's annual Black History Month Celebration!
- Amundsen Davis Attorneys Included in 2024 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists!Amundsen Davis Attorneys Included in 2024 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists!
We are excited to announce the inclusion of 2 attorneys on the 2024 Ohio Super Lawyers® list and 1 attorney on the 2024 Ohio Rising StarsSM list.
Services
Education
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, J.D., 1977
Wittenberg University, B.A., 1974
Admissions
- Supreme Court of the United States
- Ohio