James is a New York-based attorney and expert in nonprofit law, business law, and international law. Before entering private practice, he served as a trusted adviser to the Senior Adviser of a United Nations Under-Secretary-General, and helped to establish a 501(c)(3) NGO aimed at advancing United Nations objectives. In serving each client, James brings the rigorous standards of an international civil servant to his practice, committing to the highest levels of efficiency, competence, and absolute legal integrity for businesses, licensed professionals, and mission-driven nonprofits alike.
James in a snapshot
Private Practice & Corporate Structuring
In his private practice, James helps clients navigate complex legal landscapes—from global NGOs to New York professionals building their own practices. His core areas of counsel include:
Nonprofit & 501(c)(3) Counsel: Guiding visionary founders from their initial startup phase and IRS tax exemption, all the way to operating at an international scale. Whether launching a local community initiative or expanding a global NGO, James ensures the organization’s mission and vision rests on a bedrock of legal sustainability.
Professional Entities (PLLCs & PCs): Structuring flawless, fully compliant entities for New York licensed professionals to protect their licenses and personal assets. James is deeply honored to be the counsel that other attorneys trust when it is time to establish their own law practices.
General Counsel Services: Serving as outside general counsel for domestic New York businesses, multinational enterprises, and nonprofit organizations in all stages. This includes evaluating corporate risks, advising on compliance with applicable laws and regulations, negotiating local and cross-border transactions, and drafting robust contracts enforceable at home and abroad.
Intellectual Property: Securing copyright, trademark, and other IP rights at both the domestic and international levels.
International Law & Diplomacy
Prior to entering private practice, James served as the legal, executive, and political affairs adviser to the Senior Adviser of a United Nations Under-Secretary-General. Drawing on this experience, James possesses unique insight into the intricacies of cross-border operations and sovereign relations.
Throughout his career, he has had the privilege and honor of preparing briefing notes to multiple heads of state, ambassadors, and secretaries-general and deputy-secretaries-general of the United Nations.
Ongoing Counsel to the Diplomatic Community
James continues to provide robust legal and international relations support to New York’s diplomatic community. His specialized services in this arena include:
Diplomatic & Political Strategy: Providing counsel on international political strategy, preparing speeches and talking points for the international stage, and drafting or reviewing diplomatic correspondence to Heads of State and ambassadors.
International Instruments: Supporting the preparation and negotiation of treaties, declarations, and memoranda of understanding (MOUs).
Consultations & Conferences: Delivering on-the-ground support and document preparation for international meetings, as well as bilateral and multilateral consultations with high-level government and UN officials.
Privileges, Immunities & Conduct: Advising on the privileges and immunities of diplomats under U.S. and international law, and providing external counsel to international organization staff regarding the standards of conduct of the international civil service and related internal rules.
James at the 2013 United Nations Senior Africans Group (UNSAG) luncheon in honour of UN Secretary-General H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon.
Nonprofit Counsel & Global Impact
Alongside his private practice, James serves as General Counsel to an internationally operating U.S. 501(c)(3) public charity that supports and advocates for United Nations objectives, particularly in Africa and the African diaspora. He took the organization from an informal association through its 501(c)(3) tax exemption and accreditation within the United Nations system, and developed its management, organizational and international structures.
In this role, he advises its board of directors, advisory council, and officers on a plethora of issues such as corporate governance, fundraising, corporate law, and not-for-profit law.
James at the presentation of strategic plan to UN Deputy Secretary-General H.E. Ms. Amina J. Mohammed by ARDN Chair and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Hon. Ms. Constance B. Newman, in the presence of Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University and Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General; Dr. Natalia Kanem, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA); Dr. David Mehdi Hamam, Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Africa, ad interim; Hon. Dr. Alfred A. Vanderpuije, Member of Parliament of the Republic of Ghana; and Dr. Djibril Diallo, Regional Director of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and UNSAG Coordinator (titles as of 2017).
Working alongside former and current international civil servants, legislators, academics, and leaders in media and culture, James is proud to join the race to ensure that our common home – our mother earth – is one characterized by peace, justice, respect, human rights, tolerance and solidarity.
Appointments & Education
Appointments
James serves as an arbitrator and holds membership in several key legal and international committees:
Bar admission: New York (Attorney Registration No. 5124433).
Arbitrator: Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
United Nations Committee: New York City Bar Association.
International Law Committee: New York City Bar Association.
Former Secretary (2012–2019): UN working group comprising Under-Secretaries-General and Ambassadors addressing common concerns between Africa and the UN.
Education
Juris Doctor: Brooklyn Law School, specializing in International Business and Public International Law.
Certificate in International Law: Brooklyn Law School.
Executive Articles Editor:Brooklyn Journal of Corporate, Financial and Commercial Law.
Awards: International Economic Law Prize (2012) & CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Food and Drug Law (2011).
Selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars, a Thomson Reuters rating service, in eight consecutive years from 2016 to 2023.
Selected press and speaking
United Nations Web TV: Co-moderator of the Global Launch of Red Card Campaign: Raising a Red Card to All Forms of Discrimination and Violence Against Women and Girls (2022).
U.S. News & World Report: Quoted in How to Start a Nonprofit on 501(c)(3) status, choosing the underlying entity, and the IRS recognition process (2018).
Super Lawyers: Quoted in International Business Contracts on extraterritorial enforcement and conflicting jurisdictions (2020, updated 2025).
Girl Scouts of the USA: Named as the counsel who guided a Gold Award Girl Scout through forming her tutoring nonprofit.
Beyond the Law
Prior to pursuing law, James was a championship-level ballroom dancer, competing as the dance partner of a former Blackpool champion. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Dance from the University of Oregon. Today, James resides in Flushing, Queens, with his wife, JiSoo.
What clients say about James
Mr. Hsui obviously cares. . . . He spent a lot of time answering my questions and then recommended I NOT hire him. . . . I am impressed with Mr. Hsui’s abilities and his character. If my legal concern were in his state then I would hire him in a New York minute! – S.S. ★★★★★
James has been my general counsel for the past 10 months. His broad experience with NGOs and international matters have been a huge asset, together with his sharp business mind. He’s responsive and straightforward, and when working with him I always feel protected and know he has my best interest at heart. – J.P. ★★★★★
We agreed on a fixed-fee to follow up on a business partner’s promises, thinking it would take weeks. . . . But the partner was evasive and it took months. James tracked him down, waited outside his building and negotiated a great outcome. I offered to pay more for his effort but James honored the fixed-fee. – N.O. ★★★★★
My sister was panicking because she formed an LLC when she should have formed a PLLC for her LCSW practice. After he calmed her, James worked with us to put together a plan to form a new PLLC and merge the old LLC into it. I highly recommend him not only because he is knowledgeable, but also very kind! – M.K. ★★★★★
서 변호사님은 역시 첫 상담부터 느낌이 달랐어요. 제 사업에 진심으로 관심 가져주시는게 느껴지고 저의 창업고민도 끝까지 들어주시더군요. . . . 제가 한국인이고 서투른 영어로 대화했지만 그래도 이해를 잘 하시더라구요.
From the very first consultation Attorney Hsui was different. I could feel that he was genuinely interested in my business, and he heard out my concerns about starting up to the very end. . . . I am Korean and spoke in halting English, but he understood me well. He explained things calmly, and I felt at ease throughout. (Translated from Korean) – B.P. ★★★★★
I’m part of an online community of mental health practitioners. James came highly recommended by many members. Working with him to form my PLLC was a breeze. I can see why so many of us trust him with our practices. He’s earned himself another loyal client. – C.A. ★★★★★
I’ve worked with James on several high profile projects, and trust him to have my back and get the job done. He continues to impress me with intuitiveness and sense of organization. . . . He will move mountains for you. – K.D. ★★★★★
