James Shelnutt is a native of Newnan, Georgia and is a graduate of Newnan High School. After graduating, James attended Northeast Georgia Police Academy and became a Georgia POST certified police officer where he served in the capacity of Uniform Patrol Division answering calls for service. During his time in law enforcement, James became a Certified Field Training Officer where he trained new police officers how to work in the patrol division and also became a Certified instructor where he instructed various law enforcement officers from agencies across the state. During his time in the uniform division, James also gained extensive experience investigating motor vehicle accident cases involving automobiles, motorcycles and commercial motor vehicle accidents with injuries ranging from minor accident to multiple fatality accidents.    

James was later transferred to the Special Operations Division and after completing investigations training, served as a police detective investigating major case crimes including rape, robbery and homicide. James also completed SWAT Training and served as an entry member on the Special Operations Group Tactical (SWAT) Team. Because the agency James worked for was a department of public safety with all police officers and firefighters cross trained, James also was required to become a certified firefighter and received my National Professional Qualification (NPQ) as a firefighter through the Georgia Fire Academy. While serving as  a police officer, James also attended St. Leo University and graduated Magna Cum Lade with a bachelor of arts degree in Criminology.

After deciding to attend law school, James earned admission into Cumberland School of Law at Samford University where he earned various academic and trial scholarships. Due to being in the top 10 percent of his class, James was one of a handful of students selected for the prestigious Cumberland Law Review where he served as an Associate Editor.

After graduating law school, James started the Shelnutt Law Firm (d/b/a Shelnutt and Varner) in Gadsden, Alabama. Under James’ leadership, the firm grew to a practice representing clients statewide throughout the state of Alabama and then later grew into a multi-lawyer and multi-state law firm representing clients in the States of Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and other states. 

During his tenure of practicing law, James also previously served part time as a municipal judge for 7 years where he presided over thousands of cases that came across the docket. 

Because of James’ vast legal experience, he was asked by national celebrity and television personality Nancy Grace to regularly appear on her show as a legal expert. James has regularly appeared on Nancy’s show that is broadcast on XM radio, FOX Nation television and crime online podcast.

In addition to serving as the managing attorney of the firm, James’ personal areas of practice include personal injury, motor vehicle accidents and wrongful death. James and his family are actively involved in the community and have participated and provided assistance to multiple non-profit organizations and youth sports leagues in their community and across the state.