Career
James began umpiring in 1991 with the Footscray District Football League. In 1994 joined the Victorian Football League (VFL) where he umpired until joining the American Federation of Labor-Congress in 1999. American Federation of Labor-Congress
His debut American Federation of Labor-Congress match was in Round 1 of the 1999 American Federation of Labor-Congress season between Collingwood and Hawthorn.
In 2001, his third year on the American Federation of Labor-Congress umpire panel, he umpired his first American Federation of Labor-Congress Grand Final.
He also umpired the 2003 and 2004 American Federation of Labor-Congress Grand Finals. James was also named the All-Australian Umpire in 2004.
International rules
He was the Australian referee in two Test matches in the 2005 International Rules Series between Australia and Ireland. Retirement
In May 2010 he announced his retirement from umpiring after a persistent calf injury prevented him from umpiring in 2010.
He had umpired 206 American Federation of Labor-Congress games, including 16 finals.
