About James
Jim focuses his practice on representing public and private sector clients in complex matters involving zoning, condemnation, economic incentives, elections, telecommunications, municipal law, environmental law and commercial real estate.He assists clients in landfill development, obtaining economic incentives from state and local governments, locating cell towers, condemnations, election challenges, rezonings, annexation disputes and procurement challenges.Jim practiced for 18 years in the legal department of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, serving as the Director of Law from 1993 to 1999. In his highly visible role with the City, Jim provided legal advice to the Mayor and Metro Council, along with other departments, boards and commissions. He counseled the Mayor and the Metro Council in regard to the economic development incentives for Opryland, Columbia/HCA, Thomas Nelson, Dell Computer Corporation, the establishment of the Sports Authority and the Hospital Authority in Nashville, the development of the downtown arena and the football stadium, and the leases with the Tennessee Titans and the Nashville Predators. Jim also handled litigation involving constitutional rights, election law, zoning, condemnation and education law in state and federal courts.
Jim focuses his practice on representing public and private sector clients in complex matters involving zoning, condemnation, economic incentives, elections, telecommunications, municipal law, environmental law and commercial real estate.
He assists clients in landfill development, obtaining economic incentives from state and local governments, locating cell towers, condemnations, election challenges, rezonings, annexation disputes and procurement challenges.
Jim practiced for 18 years in the legal department of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, serving as the Director of Law from 1993 to 1999. In his highly visible role with the City, Jim provided legal advice to the Mayor and Metro Council, along with other departments, boards and commissions. He counseled the Mayor and the Metro Council in regard to the economic development incentives for Opryland, Columbia/HCA, Thomas Nelson, Dell Computer Corporation, the establishment of the Sports Authority and the Hospital Authority in Nashville, the development of the downtown arena and the football stadium, and the leases with the Tennessee Titans and the Nashville Predators. Jim also handled litigation involving constitutional rights, election law, zoning, condemnation and education law in state and federal courts.
Practice Areas
Case History
Education
Professional Affiliations
Awards & Recognition
- Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Land Use and Zoning, Nashville (2025)
- Lawyer of the Year: Municipal Law, Nashville (2025)
- Lawyer of the Year: Economic Development Law, Nashville (2024)
- Lawyer of the Year: Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Nashville (2024)
- Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Land Use and Zoning, Nashville (2022)
- Lawyer of the Year: Municipal Law, Nashville (2022)
- Lawyer of the Year: Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Nashville (2021)
- Lawyer of the Year: Economic Development Law, Nashville (2018)
- Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Land Use and Zoning, Nashville (2016)
- Lawyer of the Year: Municipal Law, Nashville (2015)
- Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Land Use and Zoning, Nashville (2012)
- Recognized: Economic Development Law
- Recognized: Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
- Recognized: Land Use and Zoning Law
- Recognized: Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
- Recognized: Municipal Law
- Recognized: Real Estate Law
- Practice Area: Project Finance Law
- Special Focus: Administrative
- Listed in Mid-South Super Lawyers, Land Use/Zoning, 2011-2013
- Listed in Nashville Post, "Nashville's 101 Top Lawyers," 2011
- Listed in Nashville Business Journal “Best of the Bar," Real Estate Zoning/ Land Use, 2011-2012
- Listed in Business Tennessee, "150 Best Lawyers," Zoning/Land Use, 2008, 2010
- Listed in Chambers USA, Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use, 2008-2013