James Patterson Sterrett (November 7, 1822 – January 22, 1901) was a Pennsylvania jurist. He graduated from Jefferson College (now Washington & Jefferson College) in 1845. He was a trustee of Jefferson College from 1855 until its union with Washington College in 1865; he was a trustee of the unified board until 1885. He joined the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on February 26, 1877.He became chief justice in 1893, and remained on the bench until 1900.