T. J. (James) Lane was born and raised in McKinney, Texas. He attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, where in 1977 he earned a bachelors degree in Business Administration. He graduated from Texas Tech University School of Law in 1980, and was admitted to the State Bar of Texas the same year.

James practices primarily in the areas of real estate, business and municipal law.  He has successfully represented individual and business clients on matters that involved eminent domain (condemnation), contracts for the purchase and sale of real estate, financing, construction, property management, ground leases, landlord-tenant relations, loan workouts and foreclosures, mechanics and materialman's liens, land use planning and facilities agreements, ad valorem taxation, trespass, boundary and drainage disputes.

James is actively involved in community affairs, having served on the boards of McKinney Christian Academy and  Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary.  He has also served as pro bono counsel on real estate matters to McKinney Habitat for Humanity.