Chidi I. James

Principal

cjames@bklawva.com

d. 703-362-8927
o. 703-691-1235
f. 703-691-3913

Chidi I. James

Attorney Chidi I. James is an AV-rated attorney and a partner with the law firm of Blankingship & Keith, P.C. in Fairfax Virginia. His practice consists mostly of serious personal injury cases including wrongful death, products liability, and inadequate security cases. 

Mr. James joined Blankingship & Keith as an associate in 2003, after serving as a Judicial Law Clerk to the judges of the Arlington County Circuit Court and completing the Judge Advocate General School Course at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. In December 2022, Chidi retired from the Air National Guard after 25 years of service.

 

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Mr. James holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Texas A&M (1997) in Sociology and a Juris Doctorate from the George Mason University School of Law (2001). As a law student, Mr. James was the founding member of the George Mason University Trial Advocacy Association, where he continued to serve as Trial Team coach for many years. 

Mr. James is married to local psychologist, Dr. Faith Jackson James, and has three children, ages 23, 20, and 18.

Practice Areas

Credentials

Education
  • George Mason University School of Law (2001)
  • Texas A&M University (1997)
Bar Admissions
  • Virginia State Bar, 2001
  • District of Columbia, 2002
  • Eastern District of Virginia, 2003
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, 2003

Bar Admissions

  • Virginia State Bar (2001)
  • District of Columbia (2002)
  • Eastern District of Virginia (2003)
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (2003)

Education

  • George Mason University School of Law, 2001
  • Texas A&M University, 1997

Clerkships

  • Alper, Kendrick, Sheridan and Newman - Arlington County Circuit Court

Professional Honors & Activities

Professional Honors

  • Rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell (2013-present) 
  • Virginia Business Magazine - Virginia 500 Power List (2023)
  • Washingtonian Magazine - Washington’s Best Legal Minds (2011), Washington, DC’s Best Lawyers (2020-2024) and Lifetime Lawyer (2022)
  • U.S. News - Best Lawyers in America®, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiff and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiff (2012-2025) 
  • Super Lawyers, Personal Injury - Plaintiff, Washington, DC and Virginia (2014-2024)
  • Northern Virginia Magazine, Personal Injury - Plaintiff (2022-2023)
  • Super Lawyers, Rising Star (2007-2013)
  • Virginia Lawyers Weekly, Personal Injury (2020) 
  • Virginia Business Magazine, Legal Elite - Legal Services Pro Bono (2021-2024) 
  • Arlington Magazine, Top Attorneys – Legal Aid/Pro Bono (2021-2023) and Personal Injury (2022)
  • Virginia Living Magazine, Legal Eagles - Most Respected Attorneys in the Commonwealth (2012) 
  • Richmond Magazine, Outstanding Young Lawyers - Rising Star (2009) 
  • Richmond Magazine, Top Young Attorneys in Virginia - Rising Star (2008) and Top Virginia Lawyers - Rising Star 2007 

 

Professional Activities

  • President, Virginia State Bar
  • Former President, Northern Virginia Black Attorneys Association 
  • Board member, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association 
  • Former Vice-Chair, Virginia State Bar’s Standing Committee on Lawyer Discipline 
  • Member of the Virginia State Bar’s Fifth District Disciplinary Committee. 
  • Former faculty member, Virginia State Bar Henry L. Carrico Professionalism Course 
  • Former adjunct faculty member, George Washington School of Law, Washington, DC.

Representative Cases

  • Obtained a $9,000,000 settlement for the families of three students who tragically lost their lives and two survivors of the November 2022 University of Virginia shooting, working alongside co-counsel to achieve justice and advocate for reforms to improve campus safety and prevent future gun violence.
  • Obtained a $14,000,000 settlement for nine children who were sexually assaulted by a teacher’s aide at a large regional child care center.
  • Secured a $4,400.000 jury verdict for a client injured in a collision caused by a dump truck towing a trailer with missing brake components. The case involved claims against the truck company, its driver, and the inspection company responsible for the faulty brake inspection.
  • Secured a $4,200,000 settlement for the family of a college student who died from alcohol-related hazing at a fraternity event. A portion of the settlement supports the family’s foundation, which promotes anti-hazing education and awareness initiatives nationwide.
  • Achieved a $550,000 settlement for a 4-year-old child assaulted by her daycare teacher, resulting in physical injuries and long-term PTSD that required ongoing support, including an IEP/504 plan for trauma-based anxiety.
  • Secured a $1,475,000 settlement for a client with rheumatoid arthritis who fractured his elbow after tripping over a displaced cement slab in an outdoor retail courtyard, a condition found to violate the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.

Community Service

  • Member, Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church
  • Member, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc
  • Member, Board of the Gainesville Basketball Association
  • Member, Board of the Mount Pleasant Baptist Community Development Corporation
  • Volunteer coach, multiple youth sports teams