JAMES E. ROOKS, JR.
Senior Rules Counsel

James Evans Rooks, Jr. is Senior Rules Counsel at the Center and also serves as AAJ=s Associate Director for Courts. During his tenure at AAJ, which stretches back to 1974, he has served as editor of the AAJ Law Reporter, director of education, editor of Trial magazine, and Associate General Counsel. His diverse responsibilities have included: editing periodicals and books; designing and administering educational programs for lawyers; serving as one of AAJ's liaisons with the news media; preparing materials for, and reports of, educational programs for judges; monitoring and commenting on proposed changes to court rules; working with the academic community; serving as staff liaison for an AAJ committee on relations with the American Law Institute; and assisting with amicus briefs and constitutional challenge litigation.

Mr. Rooks has also worked as a trial lawyer in private practice, representing clients personal injury, family, and criminal matters. In the 1980s, his practice included substantial representation in firearms litigation, most notably Romero v. National Rifle Association, 749 F.2d 77 (D.C. Cir. 1984). He is also co-author of a respected two-volume legal treatise on firearms litigation.

Mr. Rooks earned his Juris Doctor degree at Boston University School of Law.