Julie James Assembly Member |
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Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology | |
Assumed office September 2014 |
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Preceded by | Ken Skates |
Member of the Welsh Assembly for Swansea West |
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Assumed office 6 May 2011 |
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Preceded by | Andrew Davies |
Majority | 5,080 (22.9%) |
Personal details | |
Born |
Swansea, Wales |
25 February 1957
Nationality | Welsh |
Political party | Labour |
Spouse(s) | David |
Children | 3 |
Alma mater |
University of Sussex Polytechnic of Central London Inns of Court |
Profession | Barrister, Civil Servant, Politician |
Website | Campaign Website |
Julie James AM is a Welsh Labour politician, who has represented the constituency of Swansea West since the National Assembly for Wales election of 2011.
Although born in Swansea she spent most of her younger years living in various places around the world with her family. At the age of 16 she joined the Labour Party and was the first of her family to study at university.
Julie James first studied American Studies & History at University of Sussex, graduating in 1980. She then studied Law at the Polytechnic of Central London, graduating in 1982, then went on to the Inns of Court School of Law in London to train as a barrister, passing the bar in 1983.
Her career started working as a policy lawyer with the London Borough of Camden. She then moved back to Swansea to raise their three children and start work for West Glamorgan County Council as the Assistant County Secretary (Legal Services).
Julie later worked for the City and County of Swansea Council, where her final post was Assistant Chief Executive (Governance). She left in protest of the signing of a contract by the Liberal Democrats which she thought to have wasted ‘millions of pounds’. She went on to join a law practice Clarkslegal LLP specialising in Environmental and Constitutional law.
On 5 May 2011, Julie was elected as Assembly Member to the Welsh Government representing Swansea West.