DeKalb County Solicitor-General Robert James was to formally announce his campaign for DeKalb County District Attorney this week at the Old Courthouse in Decatur.

Last week, Gwen Keyes-Fleming announced her resignation as DeKalb DA and her appointment as regional Environmental Protection Agency administrator. James was joined by supporters and other elected officials during the campaign kickoff and press conference.

“I’m committed to restoring justice here in DeKalb County,” said James. “I have worked diligently as a prosecutor and public servant. I look forward to serving the people of DeKalb as their next district attorney.”

James, 37, was elected as DeKalb County solicitor-general in 2007.

The DeKalb County Solicitor-General’s Office prosecutes criminal misdemeanor offenses filed in the State Court of DeKalb County. James is responsible for supervising and training a staff of 25 attorneys and 50 support personnel.

He said his first-term accomplishments include partnering with seven other agencies to create VALARI, a multidisciplinary team to prevent elder and disabled adult abuse; reinstating the Domestic Violence Pre-Trial Diversion Program; creating Project Perfect Attendance-a comprehensive truancy intervention campaign in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters, DeKalb County School System, DeKalb Juvenile Court and DeKalb Police Department.

In 2008, James launched the Jobs Not Jail- a year-long initiative providing first-time offenders with an opportunity to complete their education, participate in job/life skills training and provide job placement.

James is president-elect of the Georgia Association of Solicitor-Generals, served as president of the DeKalb Lawyer’s Association from 2006-2007 and is on the board of the DeKalb Bar Association. He has also served as a guest instructor at the Georgia Police Academy and Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council.

James, a native of Murfreesboro, Tenn., is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and was a member of the university’s basketball team. After graduation, James moved to Atlanta where he earned a Juris Doctorate from Georgia State University College of Law.

James serves as chairman of the board of directors for K.E.S. DAY, a non-profit organization serving the needs of disabled citizens and serves on the Board of Directors for City of Hope Ministries, Inc., which provides healthcare and housing to low-income families in the greater Atlanta area.

He is the son of the Rev. Robert D. James Sr., a minister, assistant high school principal and retired NFL football player, and Barbara James, a retired educator.