James Boswell

James Boswell

Adjunct Professor

Area: Business Law
Email: [[m|james.boswell]]
CV: {{https://mason.wm.edu/faculty/documents/boswell_2024_cv.pdf,PDF}}

Biography

James Boswell has spent nearly 30 years working at the intersection of business, law, and government. His public-sector employment includes the Office of General Counsel of the US Department of Health and Human Services, and in the private sector he has been employed in various capacities including Chief Legal Officer.

He is currently a Principal in a boutique consulting firm assisting businesses in developing and implementing strategy around leadership excellence, organizational culture change, risk management, litigation avoidance, DEIB, employee engagement, quality service, and sustainable results.

James is Chair of the Williamsburg Planning Commission. He also is a member of the Board of Directors of the William & Mary Libraries, and the Board of Directors of the Williamsburg-Peninsula Chapter of the William & Mary Alumni Society. He serves as Vice Chair of the Advisory Board for the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts.

He has taught Business Law and related courses since 1991 at various institutions including Rollins College, and for several years taught a popular History course for William & Mary’s Christopher Wren Association. At William & Mary, James teaches courses including Business Law, Critical Legal Issues, and Ethical Accountability, and is a Section Leader for the Leadership for the 21st Century course in the Online MBA program. 

He is also currently on the faculty at Albany (NY) Law School’s LL.M. programs in Human Resources Law, Leadership, and Policy, and Government Advocacy. Additionally, he is a Course Facilitator for Cornell University's eCornell certificate programs in Business Management, Marketing, and Legal Studies, and Compliance Systems. 

James graduated from William & Mary with a degree in English and Anthropology, and holds a J.D. from the University of Georgia School of Law, a Master’s degree in Government from Harvard University, an MBA from Eastern University, and a Professional Certificate in Strategic Management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Areas of Expertise
  • Business Law, Litigation, and Alternative Dispute Resolution
  • Business Ethics
  • History of American Business
  • Organizational Behavior and Culture Change