James Golfo joined Rivers Law in 2019, shortly after graduating from UCLA School of Law with a J.D. with a concentration in Public Interest law.   Prior to going to law school, James taught mild to moderate special education for several years as a resource teacher in public middle schools in low-income neighborhoods of Los Angeles and San Francisco. 

As a teacher, he learned about the many educational barriers that face students with disabilities, which influenced his decision to leave the classroom and pursue a career as an education rights attorney.   

While in law school, James actively sought out opportunities to serve the public and gain legal skills through internships with the Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center Special Education Law Clinic and Disability Rights California, as well as an externship with a Federal judge in the Central District of California.  

James feels a tremendous sense of gratitude to the students he has had a chance to serve throughout his career, as they have been a consistent source of motivation for him.   

In his spare time, James enjoys spending time with his family, cooking, and rooting for the Los Angeles Lakers.