A native Texan, J. K. Ivey earned a Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. He completed his education at the University of Texas School of Law in 1986, where he was named to the Board of Advocates and Phi Delta Phi honor fraternity. J. K. has devoted his career to representing the victims of negligence and their families with several Texas firms. He has recovered millions for his clients, including verdicts and settlements against some of the largest corporations in America. In 1994, J. K. was Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

A published author, and frequent lecturer, J. K. served on the Board of Directors of the Dallas Trial Lawyers Association. In 2001, he was given the DTLA's highest honor, the Atticus Finch Award, for "preserving justice for all." J. K. has Martindale Hubbell's highest rating, AV, for legal skills and ethics.

J. K. is active in the Capital Area, Dallas, Texas, and American Trial Lawyers Associations. He chaired a Dallas Bar Association subcommittee. He is a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives. J. K. leads a general negligence injury team devoted to personal injury, wrongful death, and social security claimants’ representation.