James H. Horton

James Horton has been with the firm since 2008 and serves as a partner. As a member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA), James focuses his practice in the areas of higher-education law, employment law, civil rights, disability rights, and information security.

Education Law

James regularly advises colleges and universities on compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and other required regulations of the U.S. Department of Education. His higher-education practice includes policy and student handbook development, governance, student and employee grievances, internal investigations, and responses to complaints and agency inquiries. He also provides counsel on disability accommodations, auxiliary aids and services, service animals and emotional support animals, student conduct, academic integrity concerns, and accreditation issues. James represents institutions before administrative agencies, including the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), and in litigation involving student and employee matters.

Employment Law

James advises employers on compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA), the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and the Florida Civil Rights Act. His employment law practice includes counseling on discrimination and retaliation claims, disciplinary actions, accommodations, auxiliary aids and services, internal investigations, and employee grievances. James represents clients before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR), and in state and federal courts.

Information Security Law

James advises educational institutions and private organizations on information security compliance. His work includes guidance under the Florida Information Protection Act (FIPA), the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act (GLBA), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Security Rule, and federal rules governing sensitive or bulk data. He assists clients with policy development, data governance, risk assessments, and responses to data breaches in alignment with legal and regulatory standards. James also counsels organizations on aligning their practices with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) cybersecurity standards to strengthen compliance and institutional resilience.

Education & Professional Memberships

James received his Juris Doctor from the Florida State University College of Law in 2008, and his Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies from the University of Central Florida in 2005. He is admitted to practice in Florida and before the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida. He is a member of NACUA, the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, and the Labor & Employment Law Section of the Florida Bar.

Community Involvement

James currently serves on the School Board for Christ Church School in Fort Lauderdale.