About James

Jim represents corporations and individuals responding to criminal, regulatory and legislative inquiries and conducting internal investigations. He also contributes to Cooley’s issues and appeals practice, offering clients creative solutions to complex legal problems. Jim joined Cooley after a stint with a litigation boutique and a clerkship on the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Before law school, he worked at the US Department of Justice as a speechwriter for then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch.

Passions

Writing

American history

Terriers

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Admissions and credentials

  • District of Columbia
  • Pennsylvania

Experience

  • Optotraffic Secures Dismissal With Prejudice in Federal Fraud Class Action

    • Optotraffic Secures Dismissal With Prejudice in Federal Fraud Class Action

    November 3, 2025

    Cooley successfully represented Optotraffic, an industry leader in automated traffic enforcement and public safety technology, in defeating a putative class action alleging fraud, racketeering, deceptive trade practices and other tort claims in connection with the company’s lawful collection of traffic enforcement fees on behalf of municipalities and local law enforcement agencies in the state of Georgia. Instead of opposing Optotraffic’s motion to dismiss, the plaintiff dismissed her suit once again, and under the two-dismissal rule, this dismisses her claims with prejudice. Litigators David Mills and Matt Nguyen led the Cooley team representing Optotraffic, which also included Jim Santel, Mel Gayton, Maddie Ahlers and Hilarie Laing.

    The case is Lavender v. Optotraffic, LLC before the Northern District of Georgia, Case No.: 1:25-cv-01255.

    Read more

    Related contacts

    David E. Mills
    Partner, Washington, DC
    Matt K. Nguyen
    Associate, Washington, DC
    James Santel
    Associate, Washington, DC
    Melissa Gayton
    Associate, Washington, DC
    Madeleine Ahlers
    Associate, San Francisco
    Hilarie Laing
    Paralegal Specialist, Washington, DC

    Related Practices & Industries

    Class Action Litigation
    Commercial Litigation
    Consumer Protection
    Government Contracts

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