A graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder, James Saffell earned his law degree at the University of Denver College of Law in 1986. Mr. Saffell earned membership to the University of Denver Law Review and the National Moot Court Team for the New York Bar Association National Moot Court Competition, where he was awarded the distinction of *2nd Best Speaker* at the Western Regional Competition. Mr. Saffell also worked at the United States Department of Interior, Denver, Colorado, where he was responsible for preparation of the Department of Interior Position Paper on the Equal Access to Justice Act.

After practicing law as a trial attorney at the law firm of Nelson & Harding, Denver, Colorado from 1986 to 1989, he began a private practice in Boulder, Colorado specializing in civil and criminal litigation, family and domestic matters, business and personal injury matters. Mr. Saffell handles cases throughout Michigan and is licensed to practice in the states of Michigan and Colorado.

Mr. Saffell was born and raised in Birmingham, Michigan. After residing in Boulder, Colorado for about 30 years, he and his wife moved their family to Leelanau County where Mr. Saffell enjoyed summers since childhood.