Dr. James E. Laws, Jr. lives in Washington, DC. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. He earned his Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. He taught the sociology of Racism at Virginia Commonwealth University for 10 years and has also taught at Mary Washington University, Virginia State University, and George Mason University.  His first novel, Wilmington Manor was released in May 2017. His second novel, The Patriarch was released in May 2022.  

In addition to developing strong African American characters in his books, he is also dedicated to inspiring the next generation of writers.  

In addition to his work in education, he is also a musician and a former ballet dancer with the Richmond Ballet. As a trained baritone, he has performed as a soloist with symphony orchestras and at various venues in the United States and Europe.  When James Laws made his solo debut with the Richmond Symphony, the music critic for the Richmond Times Dispatch titled his review A Voice to Remember.  In it he wrote: “Last night’s program featured a voice to remember: James E. Laws who blends an operatic baritone with a slightly smoky timbre and conversational ease of delivery recalling Nat King Cole.”