Jim’s focus is bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, commercial transactions and business-related disputes.

A former law clerk for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Jim has represented creditors, debtors, owners, DIP lenders, creditor committees and asset purchasers in bankruptcy court for over 25 years.  His practice includes out of court workouts and restructurings, loan forbearance agreements and enforcing creditors’ rights under contractual and state law.  Jim regularly engages in commercial and real estate transactions, real estate title litigation, lien priority disputes and commercial litigation.

Practice Concentrations

• Bankruptcy
• Creditors’ rights
• Commercial and real estate transactions and litigation

Education

• J.D., Washington and Lee School of Law (1992)
• B.A., Washington and Jefferson College (1986)

Bar Admissions

• West Virginia

Court Admissions

• United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
• United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of West Virginia
• United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
• United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
• United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia
• United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
• Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
• Supreme Court of Virginia

Reported Cases

• Rebuild America, Inc. v. Davis, 229 W.Va. 86; 726 S.E.2d 396 (2012)
• Dwyer v. First National Bank (In re OBrien), 414 B.R. 92 (S.D.W.Va. 2011)
• Hardwood Group v. LaRocco, 219 W.Va. 56; 631 S.E.2d 614 (2006)
• Retail Designs, Inc. v. W.Va. Div. of Highways, 213 W.Va. 494; 583 S.E.2d 449 (2003)
• Walker v. Star USA Federal Credit Union (In re Walker), 299 B.R. 141 (S.D.W.Va. 2003)
• Bowling v. Lawson, 122 F.Supp.2d 693 (S.D.W.Va. 2000)

Written Work

• Is Your Bank Ready for a Visit from Jesse James and the Gang?, West Virginia Banker Magazine Spring 2019

Community Involvement

• Member, Board of Zoning Appeals for the City of Charleston
• Director, Edgewood Country Club
• Volunteer and Former Director, Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council
• Coach, Capital High School Boys Tennis Team

Awards & Honors

• Listed, The Best Lawyers in America©
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law (2021)
  • Litigation – Bankruptcy (2021)
  • Litigation – Real Estate (2016 – 2021)
  • Real Estate Law (2016 – 2021)
  • 2017 – Lawyer of the Year – Charleston, WV – Litigation – Real Estate