James graduated from Southwestern at Memphis (now Rhodes College) 1n 1960 with a B.A. degree in English Literature and completed the Navy Officer Candidate School in 1960 and received a commission. James served aboard the U.S.S. Matthews, AKA 96 for three years, homeported in Long Beach California. James served as Engineering Officer the last year of his time aboard the U.S.S. Matthews. The ship was designated as a combat vessel for participation in the Cuban Missile Crisis and involvement in the Laotian war just before Viet Nam. After his time on the U.S.S. Matthews, James served as the Administrative/Personnel officer on Naval Air Station in Meridian, Mississippi for two years. After active duty, James continued in Naval Reserve until 1968 with the rank of Lieutenant.

             

James attended Vanderbilt Law School 1965-1968, graduating May 1968. He was admitted to the Tennessee Bar in the summer of 1968.

             

James practiced with an attorney, Dave Alexander, in Franklin, Tennessee from 1968 to 1971 and began solo practice in 1971 as James D. Petersen, Attorney. In 1963, James formed a partnership with Richard A. Buerger. James was also appointed interim Circuit Judge and Chancellor of the old 17th Judicial Circuit by Governor Winfield Dunn in October 1974 and served for approximately ten months. James returned to the law firm and continued to add partners and associates, retiring from the firm in 1998. The firm had five partners, all Vanderbilt Law graduates, and three more associates. James served as the Fairview City Attorney for 21 years and the Williamson County Planning Commission attorney for 17 years.

 

James took a part-time position as Nolensville City Judge in 1999 and continues to serve as the judge to the present day.

             

James is married to Ann Petersen since 1965, and Ann was a mathematics professor at Columbia State Community College from approximately 1965 to 2014. Ann has served on the City of Franklin Planning Commission for over 30 years and has been an Alderman for the City of Franklin for the past ten years.