James McLaughlin

James McLaughlin began their work experience as a Law Clerk for Chief Judge Benson E. Legg of the Federal District Court, District of Maryland from September 2004 to August 2005. James then joined Kirkland & Ellis LLP as an Attorney, where they represented Fortune 500 companies in complex litigation cases and also handled pro bono representation for criminal cases. From 2009 to 2012, they co-founded and managed Yaguara Ecologico, an organic shade coffee farm, implementing a business plan to increase revenue and reduce costs. In 2012, they joined Intelligentsia Coffee, starting as the General Counsel and Director of Green Coffee, QC, & Roasting, and later served as the Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel and President & CEO. In 2013, they became the Chairman of the Advisory Board for Ladder Up Chicago and also took on the role of Vice-Chair of the Board for World Coffee Research in 2015.

James McLaughlin attended CGHS from 1992 to 1996. After completing high school, they pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of Florida, graduating in the year 2000. Following their undergraduate studies, James attended Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law from 2001 to 2004, obtaining a Juris Doctor (JD) degree.