James Robert Kirkland (February 15, 1903 – February 25, 1958) was a United States federal judge.
Born in Wilmington, Delaware, Kirkland received an A.B. from George Washington University in 1927, an LL.B. from George Washington University Law School in 1928, and an LL.M. from George Washington University Law School in 1929. He received a B.C.S. from Benjamin Franklin University in 1930. U.S. Naval Reserve Commander,. He was an assistant U.S. Attorney of the Washington, DC from 1929 to 1934. He was in private practice in Washington, DC from 1934 to 1949. He was a Counsel, U.S. Senate Committee on the District of Columbia from 1947 to 1949.
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Kirkland received a recess appointment from Harry S. Truman on October 21, 1949, to a new seat created by 63 Stat. 493; nominated on January 5, 1950. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 8, 1950, and received his commission on March 9, 1950. Kirkland served in that capacity until February 25, 1958, due to his death.
He died in Wilmington, Delaware.