James Robert Schmillen

JAMES R. SCHMILLEN, an Arizona native, obtained his Bachelor of Science degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Arizona in 1998, with a double major in Accounting and Finance.  While at the University of Arizona, Jim was named to the Dean’s List, was a member of the University of Arizona Honors Program, and served as a Teaching Assistant for multiple tax law courses.  He received his J.D. in 2001 from the Arizona State University College of Law, graduating cum laude.  During law school, Jim was a Pedrick Scholar, recipient of the CALI Award for Academic Excellence, and earned Honors in Legal Method and Writing.  Jim was also a Legal Method and Writing Teaching Assistant and a member of the Arizona State Law Journal.  Jim was honored with the Arizona State University College of Law Pro Bono Distinction for his service as President of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, assisting in the preparation of hundreds of tax returns for low income taxpayers. 

Jim began practicing law at a complex commercial litigation law firm in 1998.   After three years in private practice, Jim took a position as in-house counsel and executive for a private, family owned group of companies that employed up to 2,200 individuals and provided construction related products and services throughout Arizona and Nevada.  While serving in this position, Jim held a leadership role as well as having responsibility for all aspects of corporate representation.  Jim was able to practice family law on a pro bono basis, helping individuals that could not afford representation.  After serving in this role for nearly seven years, Jim had the opportunity to pursue his dream of opening his own law firm in 2011.  Jim primarily focuses his practice on family law and civil litigation.  Jim is a regular volunteer with Family Legal Assistance Program (FLAP) and was awarded Attorney of the Month for February 2015 through the Volunteer Lawyers Program and designated as a 2015 Top Pro Bono Attorney in Arizona by the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education. Jim was elected to the Board of Directors for the Maricopa County Bar Association Family Law Section in 2016.   

Aside from his professional endeavors, Jim enjoys being active and spends his free time doing anything that involves being outdoors – including golfing, scuba diving, snow skiing/snowboarding, hiking, trail riding, boating, camping, fishing and travelling.