Biography

James Kezele practices in KMK’s Real Estate and Environmental Groups, leading our Environmental Group. James represents public and private companies and municipalities to ensure compliance with state and federal environmental laws and regulations.

James routinely counsels clients through transactions involving the purchase and sale of contaminated properties, and has significant experience evaluating environmental due diligence investigations including Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments, and other regulatory due diligence. James also counsels clients through voluntary remediation and Brownfield redevelopment. 

James has significant experience counseling clients on the Clean Air Act and state air pollution laws as well as on the processes for applying for, negotiating the terms of, and complying with various environmental permits, including Title V permits, Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permits, and NPDES wastewater permits. James also advises his clients on environmental regulatory programs specific to their businesses, and work with his clients to implement operational and compliance strategies.

James also regularly works with clients to perform facility or programmatic environmental audits and he assists his clients in preparing for facility inspections and developing regulatory or agency-related responses. 

Prior to joining KMK, James was an associate for a mid-sized law firm in Cincinnati, Ohio and was a member of the firm’s litigation group. There, James advised and represented clients with respect to environmental, litigation, labor and employment law, transportation law, and general commercial litigation. Prior to law school James served as a Paralegal Specialist for the United States Department of Justice - Environment & Natural Resources Division where he gained valuable experience in environmental compliance and environmental litigation.

Prior to joining KMK, James was an associate for a mid-sized law firm in Cincinnati, Ohio and was a member of the firm’s litigation group. There, James advised and represented clients with respect to environmental litigation, labor and employment law, transportation law, and general commercial litigation. Prior to law school James served as a Paralegal Specialist for the United States Department of Justice - Environment & Natural Resources Division where he gained valuable experience in environmental compliance and environmental litigation. 

Professional and Community Involvement

Cincinnati Bar Association, Environmental Law Committee, Chair  

Kentucky Bar Association

Northern Kentucky Bar Association

Ohio State Bar Association

American Bar Association

Josh Cares, Board Member (2018-2021; Chair: 2019-2021), Junior Board (2016-2017)

Volunteer Soccer Coach (2016-2019)

Awards & Recognition

Leadership Cincinnati, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, Class XLIV

Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, 2025

Listed in The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, 2021-2024

Named to Ohio Rising Stars, 2017-2024

Named to Cincy Leading Lawyers, 2023

Dean Lisa A. Kloppenberg Outstanding Student, University of Dayton School of Law, 2012

Presidential Scholarship and CALI Awards for Excellence in obtaining the highest grade in Civil Trial Lab; Interviewing, Counseling & Negotiation; Cybersecurity National Security Law; and Capstone: Cybersecurity Law.

  • Super Lawyers (Don't Delete)
  • Cincy Leading Lawyers
  • 2025 Best Lawyers Ones to Watch

News & Resources

Speaking Engagements

Blogs

Blog Posts

Admissions

  • Ohio
  • Kentucky
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky

Education

J.D., University of Dayton School of Law, 2012

B.A., Claremont McKenna College, 2007

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