James (“Jim”) Cramp is the founder and principal at the Cramp Law Firm, which focuses primarily on military divorce and Federal civil service divorce, whether representing the member or the spouse with equal zeal. Jim is committed to the firm being full service. His objective is to get clients the best possible outcome in both military divorce and Federal civil service divorce scenarios. He does the calculations and orders for the division of military retired pay and TSP, whether active duty, guard, or reserve, still serving, in the gray area, or retired and receiving pay. He prepares all application forms for DFAS, files the former spouse’s applications for them, and tracks through DFAS’ acceptance. He does the same with Uniformed Services TSP accounts. He does the calculations and orders for the division of CSRS and FERS annuities, whether still serving or retired. He prepares all application forms for OPM, files the former spouse’s application with OPM, and tracks through OPM’s receipt. He does the same with Civilian TSP accounts. Jim provides these type of support services to more than 115 attorneys throughout Texas, who count on his expertise to ensure their clients get the right outcome. Another area of expertise is doing clarification orders, meaning unscrambling the egg, so to speak, so that military, Federal civil service and TSP orders that have been botched by other attorneys will be acceptable to DFAS, OPM, and TSP. Jim is hired by other attorneys to provide expert testimony on these matters. He has authored papers and given presentations on military divorce matters at local, state, and national Continuing Legal Education seminars.
Jim has walked in your boots (and shoes). He retired from military service in the grade of colonel after having served 29 ½ years on active duty. His military career included flying, operations, support, recruiting, training and headquarters assignments. Jim is a three-time commander at the detachment, squadron and group levels. He’s worked for Federal civil service leaders and had thousands of Federal civil service members under his command when he was the Mission Support Group commander at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, with both the military and Federal civil service personnel offices under his command.
Jim provides sound, straightforward, yet compassionate counsel to clients . He is the kind of savvy and tough advocate clients are grateful to have on their side during litigation and other challenging circumstances. Jim is a former Adjunct Professor of Law at St. Mary’s University School of Law, here in San Antonio.
Civilian and Military Education
- Juris Doctor (JD) (Magna Cum Laude),
St. Mary’s University School of Law, San Antonio, Texas - Executive Excellence Seminar,
H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA - Master of Strategic Studies (MSS),
Air War College (in residence), Montgomery, Alabama - Master of Business Administration (MBA),
California State University (Stanislaus), Turlock, California - Master of Aeronautical Science (MAS),
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida - Joint Forces Staff College (in residence),
Norfolk, Virginia - Marine Corps Command & Staff College (in residence),
Quantico, Virginia - Bachelor of Arts (BA),
East Stroudsburg State University, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
Organizations and Memberships
- American Bar Association
- State Bar of Texas
- Family Law Bar Association – San Antonio
- Military Officers Association of America
- Harlan Society (law honors)
Hobbies and Interests
- Riding motorcycles and working in the yard with his wife; throwing ball with his two dogs (and they will chase their favorite ball all day long); and reading military history and biography