Jim R. Canaday was born and raised in Bakersfield. He is of the third generation in Kern County, where his grandfather arrived here in 1929. After Jim finished High School, he attended Bakersfield College and earned his Associate of Science degree. After Bakersfield College, Jim attended California State College Bakersfield and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with dual majors in Management and Operational Analysis. Jim attended Law School at California Pacific School of Law and earned his JD degree. Jim is admitted to the California State Bar and the United States District Court Eastern District of California.

Jim started in law at Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance from about 1997 to about 2001. Afterward, he started a paralegal office that operated from 2001 until 2008, which specialized in Family Law matters and Guardianships in Probate. The office served the Kern County area. Jim opened his law practice in 2008, which has now been in the sole practice of Family Law matters and some Probate matters, specializing in Guardianship issues, divorces, child custody, Termination of Parental Rights, and Child/Spousal Support cases. Jim loves the Bakersfield area and is married to Diana, who is Branch Manager for the Guild Mortgage Company.