Charlie James was born in the Bootheel of Missouri in Senath, Missouri. After graduation from Senath High School, Charlie enlisted in the Air Force and received training from the National Security Agency. He served four years in the Air Force in Germany and Pakistan. Charlie then spent 2 years in the Navy in the Philippines. He graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1971 with a major in history.

Charlie received his M.A. from Northeast State University. He then worked a few years for the Missouri Probation and Parole Agency. Charlie graduated from the University of Missouri at Columbia School of Law in 1977. While in law school, Charlie wrote articles for publication in the Missouri Law Review. Charlie started his own law firm upon graduation from law school. The law office was located in Wentzville, Missouri for twenty-five years. In April 2002, the law firm moved its office to St Peters, Missouri. Charlie is a Fellow in the American Trial Lawyers Association. He is also a member of the Missouri Trial Lawyers Association. Charlie tries many cases each year, both personal injury and criminal, throughout the surrounding area.