James Boswell

Adjunct Professor

Area: Business Law
Phone: 757-221-5578
Email: [[m|james.boswell]]
Office: Miller Hall 3025

Biography

James Boswell is an educator and strategic advisor whose work focuses on the intersection of law, leadership, and organizational design. Drawing on two decades of experience advising executives and boards of governance, regulatory, and commercial matters, he brings a legal and strategic perspective to business education. His teaching emphasizes executive judgment, ethical leadership, and organizational performance in periods of technological and structural change.

Areas of Expertise

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

CV

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Ph.D. in Ethical Leadership, St. Thomas University, in progress
J.D., University of Georgia School of Law
M.B.A., Organizational Management, Eastern University
A.L.M., Government, Harvard University
B.A., English, minor in Anthropology, William & Mary

Adjunct Professor of Business Law, Raymond A. Mason School of Business, William & Mary, 2017-present
- Teach undergraduate and graduate courses, including online offerings, in business law, leadership, governance, and ethical decision-making.
- Representative Courses
  - Leadership for the 21st Century
  - Ethical Accountability; Business Ethics
  - Critical Legal Issues
  - Legal Environment of Business
- Teaching Areas
  - Executive judgment and decision-making under uncertainty
  - Leadership, organizational behavior, and culture
  - Governance, institutional design, and stakeholder strategy
  - Strategic risk, crisis response, and organizational accountability
  - Artificial intelligence and technological change in organizational contexts
- Additional Roles
  - Executive Education Faculty Lead
  - AACSB Curriculum Reviewer
  - Faculty mentor for students pursuing careers in law, consulting, and executive leadership
Adjunct Professor, Online Graduate Programs, Albany Law School, 2021-present
- Representative Courses
  - Human Capital Analytics and Workforce Planning
  - Strategic and Financial Planning and Assessment
  - Constitutional Rights and Remedies
- Additional Role
  - Collaborator, Veterans Justice and Advocacy Certificate Program
Course Facilitator, Compliance and Contract Law, eCornell, Cornell Law School, 2022-2024

Co-Founder and Principle Consultant, Christopher James Associates, LLC, 2009-present
- Advise executives and boards on leadership, governance, and organizational performance in complex regulatory environments. Counsel senior leaders on culture, accountability, team effectiveness, and change management during periods of growth disruption, and strategic transformation. Support alignment among organizational behavior, risk management, and institutional strategy to strengthen long-term performance and resilience.
Chief Strategy Officer, The Williamsburg Institute, 2024-2025
- Led strategic planning and institutional alignment for a pilot collaborative initiative between William & Mary and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Directed research and policy development, strengthened institutional partnerships, and represented the Institute in public forums during a formative stage of growth.
Of Counsel, SMD&R Law Group, PLLC, 1989-2009
- Advised senior executives, boards, financial institutions, and business entities in high-stakes commercial disputes and regulatory matters. Provided strategic counsel on governance, risk exposure, and dispute resolution in complex federal and state environments. Contributed to negotiation and arbitration strategy while mentoring associates.

Boswell, James. "Legal Literacy in the Age of AI: What Every Acquisition Professional Needs to Know." Contract Management Magazine, July 2025, 27-35.
Boswell, James. "A Chinese Export Service Ordered for Thomas Jefferson: In Rei Memoriam." Ceramics in America. Milwaukee: Chipstone Foundation, 2020.
Boswell, James. "A Northern Neck Odyssey: From Lamb's Creek to Dissington and Beyond." Northern Neck of Virginia Historical Magazine 67, no. 1 (December 2017): 8394-8408.

"Leading with Integrity in Uncertain Times." First Advantage Federal Credit Union, Yorktown, VA, February 6, 2026
"Discovering Tomorrow's Leaders Today." Partner Appreciation Day, Raymond A. Mason School of Business, William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA, May 20, 2025.
"Steady in the Storm: Navigating Change and Disruption Through Ethical Leadership." Smithfield Foods, Smithfield, VA, February 13, 2025.

Neurodiversity Initiative, William & Mary
FGLI Collaboration, Support and Advocacy Council, William & Mary
Law School Online and Executive Education Advisory Board, William & Mary

Art Museums Board Member, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Board of Trustees Member, Let Freedom Ring Foundation
Board of Directors Member, Williamsburg Symphony
Planning Commissioner, City of Williamsburg, VA, 2017-2025
Chair, City of Williamsburg, VA, 2022-2025
Architectural Review Board Member, City of Williamsburg, VA, 2021
Libraries Board of Directors, William & Mary
Williamsburg-Peninsula Alumni Association Board, William & Mary, 2017-2025
Advisory Board Member, Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts, 2018-2023
Chair, Advisory Board Member, Museum of Early Souther Decorative Arts, 2023

Massachusetts Bar Association
American Bar Association
American Association of Law Schools
Academy of Legal Studies in Business
Society for Business Ethics

Professional Certificate in Strategic Management, The Wharton School
Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Effective Online Teaching, Oxford University
Certified Planning Commissioner, Virginia Commonwealth University
Selected programs in leadership and organizational design, Harvard Business School and Disney Institute

Anchor

Biography

Biography

Areas of Expertise

CV

Topics

Education

Academic Teaching Experience

Strategic Advisory and Professional Practice

Selected Publications

Selected Professional Presentations

Selected University Service

Governance and Public Service

Professional Affiliations

Executive and Professional Development