S. Eliza James

Partner and Co-owner

Forrest Cressey & James

Growing up in rural Pennsylvania, Eliza James always knew she wanted to work with people and to make an impact. Her dreams of being a lawyer were quickly realized, and now as partner and co-owner of Forrest Cressey & James law firm, she combines kindness, compassion, and understanding with extensive legal knowledge and aptitude to help people in challenging times. “Usually when people come to me, they are at a crisis point in their lives,” says Eliza. “Often they have been harmed in some way, in a car accident or at work, but despite these difficult situations, my clients remain hopeful and have the resilience to carry on. That’s something I find very inspiring.”

Dispelling the notion that attorneys and the legal system are harsh and cold, Eliza enters every case with the goal of reaching a collaborative solution with the client’s experience and voice at the forefront.

“So often with law firms, clients are treated as numbers, not people—their stories don’t get told. Having a client-centered approach is so important to me and my partners,” she says.

Eliza was named to the New Orleans CityBusiness Leadership in Law class in 2022, the National Trial Lawyers Association 40 Under 40, and Super Lawyers’ Rising Stars of 2023. Outside of the courtroom, Eliza is active in the community. She competes on a BBQ team at Hogs for the Cause—raising money for pediatric brain cancer research—and is active in her sons’ lives as a soccer coach and school room parent. Forrest, Cressy & James is active in the veteran community and is a member of the Louisiana Association for Justice, an organization that advocates on behalf of injured individuals and trial attorneys.

Forrest Cressey & James

1222 Annunciation Street, New Orleans 504-605-0777 fcjlaw.com • eliza@fcjlaw.com