Dr. Bernard James is a Professor of Law at Pepperdine University.  He teaches courses in Civil Rights, Federalism, Individual Rights, Education Law, State Constitutional Law and Introduction to American Law.  Bernie joined the Pepperdine faculty in 1984, after serving in Michigan as a judicial clerk for the Honorable Judge Myron Wahls for the Court of Appeals.  Professor James is the author of the textbook, "Education Policy and the Law: Cases and Commentary" (Vandeplas Publishing 2009). 

Bernie also serves as a senior consultant to the US Department of Justice where he published, "Sharing Information: A Guide to FERPA and Participation in Juvenile Justice Programs" (DOJ Programs 1997).  He is the contributing legal editor to the NASRO Journal of School Safety and comments on constitutional issues in North America and Europe.

Dr. James teaches School Law and Policy annually at the NASRO conference, and is a past keynote speaker at our OSROA conference. Bernie remains one of the highest rated presenters OSROA has ever hosted.  His interactive presentations are informative regarding the legal issues facing schools today. 

For 2020, Bernie will not be presenting his usual School Law and Policy updates class. This year's session will feature a more focused discussion on important 2019-2020 legislation as well as top court cases on school safety reform.  Every school resource officer and educator should be up to date on what the law permits and what it requires on school safety.  We are happy to welcome Bernie back to OSROA's annual conference.