James is the right choice for the client seeking a blend of experience, academics, peer recognition, and wisdom. His experience includes not guilty verdicts in capital and non-capital murders; $2.29 million and other six-figure civil verdicts; exclusion of the State's premier DWI expert; oral argument in the appellate courts; and scores and scores of high-level federal and state jury trials with an impressive verdict record. His academics include recognition as a Board Certified Specialist in Federal Criminal Law, State Criminal Law, and Family Law by the N.C. State Bar; faculty presenter at 43 CLEs; and visiting lecturer at law schools and the UNC-School of Government. His peer recognition includes a nine-time selection as Super Lawyer; four-time selection to The Best Lawyers in America; selection as "Lawyer of the Year" in DWI Defense in the Charlotte area by The Best Lawyers in America (2021); recipient of the Professor John Rubin Award for legal training; service in governing roles with the N.C. State Bar; and election as past president of the district bar. His wisdom is found in over three decades of practice in high-level criminal, civil, and family law cases across many courts. James loves making a difference in individual lives, particularly when facing complex, high-stakes cases.

Introduction

James A. Davis, son of Bob and Mary Anne Davis, is the head of Davis & Davis, Attorneys at Law, P.C. He has been an attorney with the firm since 1991 and has led the firm since his father's passing in 2005.

James is a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in State Criminal Law, Federal Criminal Law, and Family Law with a trial practice in criminal, domestic, and general litigation. He is deeply committed to excellence and professionalism in the practice of law, having served on the North Carolina State Bar Specialization Criminal Law Committee, the North Carolina State Bar Board of Continuing Legal Education, the North Carolina State Bar Disciplinary Hearing Commission, and as Issue Planning Editor of the Law Review at Regent University. James also lectures at criminal, family law, and trial practice continuing legal education (CLE) programs, and has been designated by the Capital Defender as lead counsel in capital murders.

While James is humbled to have received many honors and awards from his peers, he is fulfilled more by the thank you notes he receives from clients. He keeps each of the hundreds of thank you notes received from clients. James truly enjoys making a positive difference in the lives of clients.

Born and raised in Rowan County, N.C., and the father of four children, James has been involved in a number of civic and community leadership positions, including serving on the Board of Directors for Rowan County Helping Ministries and the Rowan-Cabarrus YMCA, the Board of Visitors at Catawba College, the Board of Trustees at Charleston Southern University, and the Board of Trustees at Salisbury Academy. When not practicing law, he enjoys reading, competitive exercise, coaching youth sports, and spending time with his family.

Practice Areas

  • Criminal Defense
  • DUI and DWI
  • Family Law
  • Divorce and Separation
  • Child Custody
  • General Litigation

Education

  • Regent University School of Law, Juris Doctor
  • Catawba College, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Board Certifications

  • State Criminal Law (2001 to present)
  • Federal Criminal Law (2002 to present)
  • Family Law (2020 to present)

Honors and Awards

  • Selected to North Carolina Super Lawyers (2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2009)
  • Selected to The Best Lawyers in America (2023, 2022, 2021, 2020)
  • Selected as "Icon" by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly (2023)
  • Selected as "Lawyer of the Year" in DWI Defense in the Charlotte area by The Best Lawyers in America (2021)
  • Selected for the Professor John Rubin Award for Extraordinary Contributions to IDS Training Programs (2019)
  • Selected one of the "Top 100 Trial Lawyers" by The National Trial Lawyers (2017)
  • Selected as an Educational Achievement Program Advocate by the North Carolina Advocates for Justice (2017)

Bar and Professional Activity

  • N.C. State Bar: Disciplinary Hearing Commission Member (2022-2025 Term; 2019-2022 Term)
  • Past Accreditation Committee Chair of the N.C. State Bar Board of Continuing Legal Education
  • Past Member of the Criminal Law Specialty Committee of the N.C. State Bar Board of Legal Specialization
  • Past Co-Chair of Continuing Legal Education of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice
  • Capital Roster for the Office of the N.C. Capital Defender
  • Recipient of Professor John Rubin Award for Extraordinary Contributions to IDS Training Programs (2019)
  • Past President of Judicial District 19C Bar (now District 27)
  • Faculty presenter in 41 CLEs on criminal law, family law, evidence, and other trial practice topics.
  • Program chair, faculty, or guest lecturer for UNC-School of Government; North Carolina Advocates for Justice; Office of the Capital Defender; Public Defender Spring Conference; Cabarrus, Rowan, and Wake County Bar Associations; High Point Bar Association; 43rd Judicial District Bar; N.C. Bar Association Foundation, Inc.; N.C. Association of Private Investigators; and Campbell University School of Law.

CLE Seminars and Guest Lectures

Professional Memberships and Associations

  • North Carolina Bar Association
  • Rowan County Bar Association
  • North Carolina Advocates for Justice
  • District 19C Bar (Former President)

Admissions to Practice

  • North Carolina
  • United States District Court, Western and Middle Districts of North Carolina

Community Involvement

  • Current member of Board of Visitors at Catawba College.
  • Current member of Board of Trustees at Salisbury Academy.
  • Current member of Board of Directors for Rowan-Cabarrus YMCA.
  • Past member of Board of Trustees at Charleston Southern University.
  • Past member of Board of Directors for Rowan Helping Ministries.
  • Past Deacon, Secretary of Board of Deacons, and Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church of Salisbury, N.C.
  • Recipient of the Rowan-Cabarrus YMCA Distinguished Service Award (2019), J.F. Hurley YMCA Distinguished Service Award (2018), Salisbury YMCA Distinguished Service Award (2002), Salisbury YMCA Outstanding Leadership Award (1996), and Jaycees Distinguished Service Award (1982).
  • Past youth sports coach in scholastic, YMCA, and recreational leagues.

Personal

  • Father of four children.
  • Born, raised, and resides in Rowan County, N.C.