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Before joining Cornell Law School, James Hardwick was a solo practitioner for many years representing clients in medical malpractice, criminal defense, employment and family law cases throughout California. After closing his private practice, Hardwick joined the staff of Bay Area Legal Aid in Oakland, CA. As a senior staff attorney, he represented indigent and unhoused/unsheltered clients living with psychiatric disabilities in claims for state and federal disability benefits. Hardwick then served as a staff attorney at Legal Assistance of Western New York (LawNY) in Ithaca, NY, where he continued to represent Social Security claimants and developed partnerships with local county mental health agencies and the county jail to assist indigent, justice-involved residents living with psychiatric disabilities.

In the first year of the Veterans Law Practicum, Hardwick advised twenty law students and served 60 veterans with legal advice and representation.  The Practicum recently received a significant increase in funding from the VA to provide legal services to veterans in upstate New York who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Hardwick is a member of the California and New York bar and a dedicated advocate for those living with disabilities and experiencing deep poverty.