James Statham was affiliated with both management and union labor law firms in the Detroit, Michigan metropolitan area prior to being recruited by FMCS (Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service). He spent 42 years as a labor mediator in the Detroit FMCS office, while serving as a federal mediator. James was also an adjunct professor at Wayne State University Law School (Detroit, Michigan), University of Michigan Business School (Ann Arbor, Michigan) and Central Michigan University (Mount Pleasant, Michigan), where he taught various courses in Negotiation, Labor Relations, and Dispute Resolution.