James E. Merriman

Jim Merriman is a Vietnam veteran, lawyer and novelist. Critics have recognized him as a "gifted storyteller", and a "careful craftsman" with an "engaging writing style".

Jim grew up in Virginia and graduated from the Universtiy of Virginia. He started the UVa School of Law but was drafted into the Army passing only Ft. Benning Georgia and Ft. Polk Louisiana on the way to Vietnam. After an event filled tour, he returned to law school with the Silver Star, Combat Infantry Badge, and other medals, and received his law degree.

Jim joined a New York City law firm and began the big firm associate life. He escaped the office long enough to complete two NYC Marathons. Later his firm was in need of another lawyer for its new Los Angeles office. Since one of his senior partners said he looked more like a surfer than a lawyer, he volunteered for the job.

Not long after arriving in California, Jim moved further down Wilshire Boulevard and opened his own law office in West Los Angeles where he toiled away on the tennis court whenever possible.

At the age of 40, Jim took up horseback riding at Pepperdine University in the hills above Malibu. Soon thereafter he visited a Colorado dude ranch and was introduced to the rodeo sport of team roping. Not much later he moved to a ranch in Colorado and pursued his passion for horses and rodeo cattle. He remains an avid member of the WSTR team roping organization.