James concentrates his practice in the areas of labor and employment law, business and corporate law, litigation and dispute resolution, and entertainment and media law. As an active member in the Nashville community, James is committed to providing excellent legal representation for his clients.
Mr. Crumlin is a well-known Nashville employment lawyer. His legal counsel is regularly sought out by management on issues arising from the employment relationship. James’ experience includes union and non-union arbitration and all forms of employment discrimination litigation. In addition, he conducts in-house training sessions on compliance with the numerous federal and state laws affecting employers — from the Americans with Disabilities Act to the Fair Labor Standards Act to the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
James serves as outside general counsel for several small and midsize businesses. He helps clients navigate the corporate legal landscape and avoid costly mistakes. His experience includes business formation and strategy, funding and investor relations, contracts, employment compliance issues, risk management, litigation and dispute resolution. James represents a variety of Tennessee-based businesses, entrepreneurs and start-up ventures.
In the area of entertainment and media law, he represents artists, songwriters, authors, managers, and producers in the production, ownership, marketing, and sale of creative works. He also represents television anchors/reporters in contract negotiations with local and national media outlets.
From 1997-1998, he served as a judicial clerk to retired United States Chief District Judge William J. Haynes, Jr., (former United States Magistrate Judge) for the Middle District of Tennessee. Prior to joining Bone McAllester Norton in 2002, James served as an attorney with King & Ballow.
Encouraged by his mother, and following in his father’s footsteps, James says he wanted to be a lawyer for as long as he can remember. What he enjoys most about the profession is, “helping employers resolve their employee issues and assisting small businesses in maximizing their potential by focusing on the bottom-line and not legal problems.” One of the proudest moments in his life was accepting the National Bar Association's induction of his father into its Hall of Fame, posthumously.
Professional Recognition and Activities
Awards
- 2016 Justice A. A. Birch Outstanding Service Award, Napier-Looby Bar Association
- Mid-South Super Lawyers
- Forty Under 40, Nashville Business Journal, 2011
- Young Leader of the Year, Young Leaders Council, 2010
- Best of the Bar, Nashville Business Journal, 2009
- 45 Top Leaders Under 45, Tennessee NAACP, 2008
- Nashville Emerging Leader Award for Law, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and 20/20 Leadership Alliance, 2007
Membership
- Napier-Looby Bar Foundation: Fellow, 2014
- Leadership Middle Tennessee, Class of 2012
- Tennessee Bar Foundation: Fellow, 2010-Present
- Leadership Nashville, Class of 2010
- Nashville Bar Association: Member, 2003-Present
- American Bar Association: Member 2002-Present
- Harry Phillips American Inn of Court: Barrister, 1999-2011
- Tennessee Bar Association
-- Board of Governors, Grand Division Governor, Middle Tennessee, 2010-2011, 2011-2012
-- Board of Governors, Executive Committee and Program Committee Chair, 2011-2012
-- Board of Governors, ex-officio Member, Meetings Committee Chair, 2009-2010
-- Leadership Law Classes of 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 Steering Committee Member
-- Leadership Law Class of 2006, Member
-- Membership Vice Chair for the Membership Committee, Young Lawyers Division, 2004-2005
-- Napier-Looby Bar Association Representative, Board of Directors, Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyer's Division, 2003-2004
-- Member, 2002-present
- ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section (TIPS) Leadership Academy: Participant, 2007-2008
- Young Leaders Council
-- Chair, Board of Directors, 2011-2012
-- Chair-Elect, Board of Directors, 2010
-- Chair, Development Committee, 2007
-- Board Member, 2005-Present
-- Member Class #41, Fall 2003
- Napier-Looby Bar Association
-- Executive Board, Program and Events Committee Co-Chair, 2007-2008
-- Member, 1999-Present
- National Association for African Americans in Human Resources: Member, 2004-Present
Community Involvement
James is very active in the Nashville community and a passionate nonprofit supporter. Among the organizations he has been involved with are Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee, Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center, and the Kelly Miller Smith Center Against Abuse Behavior. He is an active member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church. James serves as trustee and was instrumental in the Project 2000 committee, which oversaw the construction of the church’s $17 million facility.
- American Baptist College: Board of Trustees, 2015-Present
- Tennessee Department of Human Resources (gubernatorial appointment): Member, Board of Appeals, 2012-Present
- Growth Enterprises Nashville, Inc.: Board Member, 2013-2015
- Nashville Cares, Inc.: Board Member, 2013-2014
- Tennessee Civil Service Commission (gubernatorial appointment): Commissioner, 2010-2014
- Leadership Middle Tennessee: Class Selection Committee, 2013-Present; Member, Class of 2012
- New Leaders Council: Advisory Board Member, 2012-Present
- Leadership Nashville: Class of 2011 Opening Retreat Co-Chairperson and Steering Committee Member; Member, Class of 2010
- Young Leaders Council: Immediate Past Chair, 2013; Board Chair, 2011-2012; Board Member, 2005-2013
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee: Board Member, 2007-Present; President, Board of Directors, 2010; President-Elect, Board of Directors, 2009; Long Range Strategic Task Force Committee, 2007-Present; Governance Committee, 2007-Present
- Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center: Board Member, 2007-2013; Chair, Board of Directors, 2010-2012; Chair-Elect, Board of Directors, 2009; Personnel Committee Chairperson, 2009; Personnel Committee Member, 2008-present; Strategic Planning Committee Member, 2008-2009
- Tennessee Repertory Theatre: Advisory Council Member, 2009-2010; Board Member, 2006-2009; Secretary, Board of Directors, 2008-2009; Chair, Board and Leadership Development Committee, 2007-2009
- Nashville Emerging Leaders: Board Member, 2009-Present; Class of 2007, Steering Committee Member; Class of 2006, Member
- You Have the Power, Inc.: Board Member, 2009-2012
- Vanderbilt Alumni Association: Board Member, 2006-2010; Board Nominating Committee, Member, 2010; Strategic Planning Task Force, Member, 2009-2010; Board Executive Committee Member, 2008-2010; Distinguished Alumnus Nominating Committee, 2007-2010; Bylaws Task Force Committee, 2007-2010
- Nashville Rotary Club: Member, 2008-Present
- Bacchanalian Society of Nashville: Host for Annual Fundraising Events, 2007-Present
- Board of Professional Responsibility of the Supreme Court of the State of Tennessee: Hearing Committee Member, 2002-2010
- Association of Vanderbilt Black Alumni: Executive Committee, 2009-2010; Nominating Committee Member, 2009; Reunion/25th Year Celebration Committee Member, 2009; Member, 1994-Present
- Nashville City Club: Board Member, 2007-2009
- Kelly Miller Smith Center Against Abusive Behavior: Board Member, 2007-2009
- Vanderbilt University Law School National Council: Alumni Board Member, 2003-2009
- Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce: Small Business Council, 2006-2008; Chair, Issues Subcommittee, 2007-2008; Chair, Legislative Advocacy Committee 2006-2007
- United Negro College Fund/Fisk Campaign: Honorary Chairperson, 2005-2007
- United Way of Metropolitan Nashville’s R.H. Boyd Leadership Society: Member, 2004-Present
- The Tennessee Performing Arts Center Management Corporation: Board Member, Young Leaders Council Representative, 2003-2006
- Meharry Medical College National Alumni Advisory Board: 2003-2007
- Nashville Urban League: Member
- Mount Zion Baptist Church: Trustee
- The Capitol Steps Workout - recognized as Best Free Community Workout by Nashville Fit Magazine - January/February 2018 - The Inspiration Issue
Insights
James has written articles and presented seminars and continuing legal education programs on a variety of employment and business law topics for numerous organizations, including the TBA, ABA, Nashville Chamber of Commerce, NAACP, Nashville Business Journal, and the Tennessee Small Business Development Center. Topics have included “Interviewing and Selecting Employees,” “How to Prove Discrimination in Court,” “Small Business Formation” and “Ethics Reform,” among others.
About James
In his spare time, James is a triathlete and runner, having competed in four Ironman triathlons, five Ironman 70.3 triathlons, three marathons, and 20 half marathons for a career total of 1254.3 miles. He also is a passionate advocate for the arts, Vanderbilt athletics, and he actively supports the election of progressive candidates to public office. James also loves to travel. His favorite destinations are Rome, Italy, the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, Miami, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and the Caribbean Islands.
