Jim graduated from the University of Texas, El Paso in 1990 with a BBA in Finance and attended Law School at the University of Toledo, graduating in 1994. Jim married his wife Karen in 1995, they have two daughters, Emma and Sarah, and have lived in Oak Harbor, Ohio since 1995. Jim served as Assistant Prosecutor of Erie County, Ohio from 1995 – 2000 and joined the law offices of Flynn, Py & Kruse in 2000. Jim began practicing law with Kocher & Gillum in 2003. Outside of the office, Jim is an active member of the Oak Harbor Athletic Boosters, is on the Board and is past President of Court Appointed Special Advocates (now known as the Ottawa County Family Advocacy Center), is Secretary of the Salem Township Zoning Board, and is an avid runner.