Lawyer Details

Sylvester "Sly" James

Mediator

Contact

  • Location: 905 McGee Street #202 Kansas City MO 64106
  • [email protected]
  • Phone: (816) 363-9926

About

Sylvester “Sly” James brings a unique combination of legal expertise, public leadership, and dispute resolution skills to his mediation practice. A former trial attorney, Marine, and two-term Mayor of Kansas City, Sly is known for his thoughtful, solutions-driven approach to resolving complex and sensitive disputes.

As a Diplomate Member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, Sly has earned national recognition for his work across a wide range of matters, including employment, civil rights, insurance, personal injury, commercial litigation, and public policy. His background in both private practice and public service gives him a deep understanding of the legal, business, and community impacts of conflict.

Sly co-founded Wickham James Strategies & Solutions, where he offers mediation and strategic consulting services. He has been a longtime advocate for diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, launching award-winning initiatives during his tenure as President of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association.

His leadership, empathy, and commitment to fairness make him a trusted neutral for parties seeking resolution in even the most challenging cases.

Education

  • Rockhurst College, cum laude, B.A., 1980
  • Syracuse University College of Law, 1981
  • University of Minnesota Law School, cum laude, J.D., 1983
  • Harvard Fellow, 2015

Memberships

  • National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (Member)
  • American Bar Association
  • Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association (Member,  Past President 2002)
  • Mid America Arts Alliance (Board Member)
  • African American Metropolitan Bar Association (Past President 2016)
  • National Democratic Mayors (Past President 2018-2019)
  • Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys
  • Jackson County Ethics Commission
  • American Trial Lawyers Association
  • Rockhurst University (Board of Trustees)
  • Quality Schools Coalition (Board Member)
  • KC Girls Preparatory Academy (Board Member)

Bar Admissions

  • 1983, Missouri Supreme Court

Areas of Practice

  • Medical Negligence
  • Personal Injury
  • Business
  • Wrongful Conviction Litigation
  • Child Abuse

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Case Manager Information

For the most current information and to coordinate or schedule, contact Sylvester "Sly" James's case manager.

Online Scheduling

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