James graduated from Field Kindley High School in Coffeyville, Kansas in 1995 with numerous academic and extra-curricular accomplishments, including placing 9th at the Phillips 66 National Debate Tournament.

Following high school, James attended Southwestern College in Winfield,
Kansas where he received scholarships for debate, leadership, and tennis. James graduated college Summa Cum Laude in 2000 with bachelor’s degrees in History and Business Leadership.

In 2000, James was admitted to the University of Kansas School of Law. While in law school, he applied for and received research positions with two prestigious faculty members. He was on the staff of the Kansas Journal of Law and Public Policy for two years and held the Senior Publication Editor position in his final year. James also participated in multiple moot court competitions and was selected to the 2002 Jessup International Law Moot Court team, where he co-authored the brief that won the regional competition. In addition to these accomplishments, James was recognized by the American Board of Trial Advocates and received their annual award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy in 2002.

James graduated from the University of Kansas School of Law in May 2003.

In September 2003, James was admitted to practice law before the state and federal courts of Kansas, as well as the Western District of Missouri. As a Kansas lawyer, James practiced in multiple areas, including; general civil litigation, personal injury (prosecution and defense), municipal defense, plaintiff’s municipal claims, civil rights violations and constitutional law, employment law, real estate and construction law, business and commercial litigation, business formation, landlord-tenant law, as well as wills, trusts, and estates, and maintained a pro bono commitment to representing indigent defendants in misdemeanor criminal cases.

In 2013, wishing to be nearer to his son, an East Texas native, James came to Henderson, Texas to work with the Law Office of Joe Shumate. As an associate at Shumate Law Office for eight years, James assisted with and handled a wide variety of family law litigation including; divorces, custody cases, modifications, enforcement actions, juvenile defense, CPS cases, and assisted Mr. Shumate in providing legal advice and services to multiple municipalities, and also maintained an active general litigation practice, appointed criminal defense practice, and limited appellate practice.

In 2022, James became Of Counsel to the Law Office of Joe Shumate, where he maintains a varied and active solo practice focused on general civil practice and representing the needs of East Texans.

James J. Rosenthal, Attorney at Law

Of Counsel, Law Office of Joe Shumate

107 N. Main, Henderson, TX 75654

903.657.1416 (o)