John D. James was born in St. Charles, Missouri. John received his B.A. from Tulane University with a major in English Literature. John graduated summa cum laude.

John received his Juris Doctorate from Tulane University School of Law. He graduated as a member of Order of the Coif, which is an honor bestowed on students who are in the top 10% of their class. He was also a member Tulane's Law Review. John gained courtroom experience through Tulane's Criminal Clinic and while working as an intern for the Lincoln County Public Defender's Office.