James Wheaton

James Wheaton serves as a Lecturer at San Francisco State University and the Graduate School of Journalism at the University of California, Berkeley. His professional profile includes dual leadership roles as founder and senior counsel of the First Amendment Project—a public interest law firm dedicated to protecting First Amendment rights—and president of the Environmental Law Foundation, an Oakland-based environmental justice organization.

His extensive civic engagement encompasses:

• Co-chair of the Society of Professional Journalists Northern California Chapter’s Freedom of Information Committee
• Former executive director of California Common Cause
• Former Oakland Public Ethics Commissioner
• Member of the California State Bar Environmental Section executive committee

Education:

• Brown University: Undergraduate Degree
• University of California, Berkeley: Juris Doctor (Law Degree)

Wheaton's research and professional work centers on constitutional law with emphasis on First Amendment protections, media law, and freedom of information litigation. His environmental law expertise manifests through community-focused environmental justice initiatives. The integration of legal advocacy and journalism education defines his career, prioritizing government transparency, public accountability, and civic participation in democratic processes.

Scientific Awards:

• No scientific awards were mentioned in the provided text

Advising and Grants:

With continuous teaching since 1999 across both institutions, Wheaton's academic mentorship remains integrated with his active legal practice. The text provides no specific details regarding student advising relationships or externally funded research grants, though his public interest law work inherently involves project-based funding mechanisms through his organizations.

Labs and Teams:

While formal research laboratories aren't referenced, Wheaton directs two operational public interest teams: the First Amendment Project's litigation unit handling constitutional cases, and the Environmental Law Foundation's community legal team addressing environmental justice issues in Oakland. These function as practice-based research collectives advancing legal precedents through real-world advocacy.