| State1: | Alabama |
| District1: | 3rd |
| Term Start1: | December 7, 1846 |
| Term End1: | March 3, 1847 |
| Predecessor1: | William L. Yancey |
| Successor1: | Sampson W. Harris |
| Office2: | Member of the Alabama House of Representatives |
| Term2: | 1834 1836 1837 |
| Office3: | Member of the Florida Senate |
| Term3: | 1865-1885 |
| Birth Name: | James La Fayette Cottrell |
| Birth Date: | 25 August 1808 |
| Birth Place: | King William, Virginia |
| Death Place: | Cedar Keys, Florida |
| Party: | Democratic |
James La Fayette Cottrell (August 25, 1808 – September 7, 1885) was a U.S. Representative from Alabama.
Born near King William, Virginia, Cottrell completed preparatory studies.He studied law.He was admitted to the bar in 1830 and commenced practice in Hayneville, Alabama.He served as member of the Alabama House of Representatives in 1834, 1836, and 1837.He served in the State senate 1838-1841, and was president of that body in 1840.
Cottrell was elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-ninth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of William L. Yancey and served from December 7, 1846, to March 3, 1847.He moved to Florida in 1854.He served in the Florida Senate in 1865–1885.He was appointed collector of customs at Cedar Keys, Florida, and served until his death in that city September 7, 1885.He was interred in Old Town Cemetery, Old Town, Florida.