• UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL OF LAW - Chapel Hill, North Carolina - J.D. with Honors, May 1983 
• DUKE UNIVERSITY - Durham, North Carolina A.B. cum laude in Botany, December 1978

• Council member, Environmental and Nat'l Res. Law Section, NC Bar (1987-91)(2001-2004)(2008- 2011) 
• Elder, First Presbyterian Church (Member of Session 1997-2001)
• Facilitator, Durham Public Edu. Network Achievement Gap Initiative (2001) 
• Co-chair, Diversity Committee, First Presbyterian Church (2000-02)
• Candidate, Durham City Council (1999) 
• Recipient, Pyne Historic Preservation Award (1996) 
• Board of Directors, Durham Community Shelter for Hope (1998-99) 
• Member, Durham City/County Environmental Affairs Board (1995-2000) Vice-Chair (1997-98); Chair (1998-99) 
• Program co-planner, Annual Meeting of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section, North Carolina Bar Association (1994, 2003) 
• Board of Directors, Piedmont Land Conservancy (1992-93) 
• Founder and Chair (1988-90), Haw River Group, Sierra Club 
• Recipient, Chapter Service Award, North Carolina Sierra Club (1990) 
• Board of Directors, North State Legal Services (1986-89) 
• Member, North Carolina Law Review (1982-83) Founder and Chair, Equal Justice Foundation, N.C. Chapter (1982-83) 
• American Jurisprudence Awards in Torts and Contracts (highest grade)(1980)

Jim is one of the few mediators in North Carolina who combines substantial experience on the bench (six years) with a currently active civil litigation practice and over 15 years of mediation experience. Intentionally varying his practice over the past 26 years, Jim has represented virtually every type of client. He has regualrly represented plaintiffs, defendants, petitioners, and respondents. His clients have included Fortune 50 corporations, individuals, small businesses, citizen groups, and local and state governments. He has appeared before every level of North Carolina court, the federal courts, the Office of Administrative Hearings, the Industrial Commission, and many Boards and Commissions. This variety of practice gives Jim insight into the perspectives of a wide variety of participants in the mediation or arbitration process, aiding understanding and increasing the chances of resolving cases.

Jim will travel to your location, but can also host your mediation or arbitration at his firm's offices, where several conference rooms are available and refreshments are provided.

Mediation of all types of civil disputes, with an emphasis on environmental matters and other complex cases. Representation of clients before all courts in environmental law matters, health care provider matters, other administrative and government law matters, and general commercial litigation.