Prior to joining Hofstein Meyer Rocco Finger and Weiner, P.C., James was a shareholder with Rocco Law Offices, which he started as a sole practitioner in 2003. Due to James’ extensive experience as a family law trial attorney, James is regularly asked and is appointed as Guardian Ad Litem by the Judges of Philadelphia Family Court in high conflict and complex custody matters. A Guardian Ad Litem is charged with representation of the legal interests and the best interests of the child during the proceedings and making specific recommendations to the court relating to the best interests of the child.
As a result of his Guardian Ad Litem work, James was nominated by the Honorable Elizabeth Jackson of Philadelphia Family Court in 2016 and was selected and received the 2016 Pro Bono Publico Award for the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania, Domestic Relations Branch. The Domestic Relations Branch has varied responsibilities in responding to complaints and petitions that can be broadly categorized under Child and Spousal Support, Divorce, Child Custody, and Domestic Violence.
On December 3, 2015, and again on November 2, 2023, James was honored by the Legal Clinic for the Disabled (LCD) with their individual White Hat Award for his consistent and continued help to mentor LCD attorneys, which is the first time in history an individual received this award twice in their lifetime. James has provided guidance on court filings, answered questions on substantive family law issues, discussed case strategies and even offered to meet LCD staff in court. It is through the support of individuals like James that LCD is able to carry out its mission of providing high-quality legal services to low-income people with disabilities.
In addition to being previously named as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer Rising Star, James is regularly asked to be a guest lecturer for continuing legal education seminars.
James graduated from Widener University Delaware Law School and from The American University, where he was a Division I athlete and captain of his team during his junior and senior years. James continues to being an active individual, whether it’s competing in triathlons, bodysurfing at the shore, playing golf whenever he can, or regularly practicing yoga. In addition, James mostly enjoys spending time with his wife, Deborah, and their two adult sons.