Ronald J. James is a United States lawyer who served as Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) from 2006 to 2009.

[1] James served in the United States Army as an officer in the 101st Airborne Division.

[1] He resigned in protest after Black officers were stripped of their command when the 101st was sent to quell White rioting in response to the integration of the University of Mississippi by James Meredith in 1962.

[2] James began his career as an attorney in the United States Department of Transportation.

[1] James then left public service, joining the law firm of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey in Cleveland.