PRO
James Wrixam McIlvaine
also known as Wrix McIlvaine, J. Wrix McIlvaine
Virtual Consultation Available
About James
Biography
Wrix McIlvaine has spent more than twenty years trying cases in Georgia's state and federal courts. His practice at McIlvaine Law Group in Brunswick is deliberately small: serious felony defense, complex civil litigation, and appeals, the matters where preparation decides the outcome.
In the courtroom. On the criminal side, he has defended white-collar matters involving parallel criminal and civil Department of Justice actions, multi-defendant and multi-jurisdictional drug conspiracies, extradited foreign nationals, RICO and other conspiracy prosecutions, and violent felonies. He has tried 40 felony jury trials, including five murder trials. He has accepted Criminal Justice Act appointments in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia since 2010.
On the civil side, he has tried civil cases to juries and litigates civil-rights claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, civil RICO, business and unfair-competition disputes, and personal-injury cases, for plaintiffs and defendants alike.
Other defense lawyers retain him as co-counsel, as a jury consultant, and for independent second opinions in serious criminal matters across Georgia. His cases have been covered by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Daily Report, CNN, Fox News, and Court TV.
On appeal. He handles criminal and civil appeals in the Supreme Court of Georgia, the Court of Appeals of Georgia, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and has served as lead counsel in 46 appeals in state and federal court.
Creators and businesses. He also handles trademark and copyright procurement, enforcement, and litigation. He holds an LL.M. in Intellectual Property and Competition Law from the University of Augsburg, earned at the Munich Intellectual Property Law Center, and a J.D., cum laude, from Thomas Jefferson School of Law.
Judicial service. He serves part-time as a Deputy Magistrate Judge of the Magistrate Court of Glynn County (since April 2025) and as a Judge of the Brunswick Municipal Court (since October 2023). Because of this service, the firm does not accept criminal cases in the Superior Court of Glynn County, the State Court of Glynn County, or the Brunswick Municipal Court, and does not accept any case in the Magistrate Court of Glynn County or the Juvenile Court of Glynn County. The firm does handle post-conviction work in criminal cases from the Superior Court and State Court of Glynn County, including motions for new trial and appeals, and he may be retained as a jury or trial consultant in matters in the Superior Court of Glynn County.
Admitted: all Georgia trial courts; Supreme Court of Georgia; Court of Appeals of Georgia; U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts of Georgia; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Consultations by appointment:
Facing serious federal or state felony charges? Trial counsel with more than 20 years in Georgia courtrooms. Call (912) 275-8014
Trial and appellate counsel in Brunswick, Georgia: serious felony defense, complex civil litigation, and appeals. Consultations by appointment: (912) 275-8014
Civil-rights claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 in Georgia's state and federal courts, for plaintiffs and defendants. Call (912) 275-8014
Practice Areas
7
Practice Areas
21 years
21 years
21 years
21 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Licenses
Licensed in Georgia for 20 years
State: Georgia
Acquired: 2006
No misconduct found
Location
Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find James online.
James Wrixam McIlvaine's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
11 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 11 reviews
Posted by anonymous | January 27, 2020 | Hired Attorney
Excellent attorney!
Excellent attorney! Wrix did an outstanding job of explaining things as we worked through the legal process and he did a totally awesome job in wrapping it up. I would certainly use him again and recommend him.
Posted by Michael | April 21, 2018 | Hired Attorney
Helped me in a hard time!
Wrix was my lawyer through a complex and expansive criminal case. He went beyond what he had to do and maintained open lines of communication through every phase of my legal battle. Very professional and tenacious attorney, highly recommended!
Posted by Joseph | June 14, 2018 | Hired Attorney
Awesome attorney
Wrix is a great attorney. Very professional and knowledgeable. Reasonable rates and pleasent to deal with. I would recommend him to anyone in need of representation. I know I will , if I need, use him again .
Posted by Sean G. | January 23, 2020 | Hired Attorney
A lawyer you can count on
Wrix Mcilvaine is a solid lawyer who knows what he is doing. I was falsely accused of and charged with extremely serious sexual crimes. When I was in jail he visited me regularly and paid a lot of attention to my case. He got me out on bond on the first try. He knows how the system works very well. H...
Posted by K | October 28, 2018 | Hired Attorney
Representation of a hard case
I had to hire a lawyer at the last minute, my case was not typical in any fashion. At times I know I was not even the easiest client to deal with. However Wrix maintained a professional attitude at all times, represented me and my issues and in the end after a tough lengthy battle we finally we're ...
James Wrixam McIlvaine's Lawyer Endorsements
"James is an excellent attorney with years of experience in helping criminal defendants fight the government machine. If you are facing criminal charges in Georgia, James is a great attorney to have on your side."
"I endorse this lawyer. James is a tough knowledgeable and dedicated defense attorney. He is someone I absolutely endorse to have on your side when things get tough and you are facing criminal charges."
"I endorse this talented and knowledgeable attorney, who is well-respected in the legal community."
"Excellent work ethic and compassion for his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer's work."
General practice lawyer
Juvenile law lawyer
Experience
Honors
2025
Top 10 Criminal Defense: Choice for Dedication to Justice, America's Best Advocates
2025
Elite Lawyer, Criminal Defense, Elite Lawyer
2024
Top 10 Attorney, Criminal Defense, America's Best Advocates
2023
Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Georgia, The National Trial Lawyers
2022
Top 10 Attorney, Criminal Defense Law, Georgia, American Association of Attorney Advocates
2020
Rising Star, Criminal Law, Super Lawyers
2019
Rising Star - Criminal Defense, Georgia Super Lawyers
2018
Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Georgia, The National Trial Lawyers
2018
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2018
Rising Star - Criminal Defense, Georgia Super Lawyers
2017
Rising Star - Criminal Defense, Georgia Super Lawyers
2016
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2015
Georgia's Rising Stars, Top Lawyers of Georgia, Atlanta Magazine
2015
Top 100 Trial Lawyers: Criminal Defense, The National Trial Lawyers
2015
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2014
Top 40 Trial Lawyers Under 40, National Trial Lawyers
2014
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2014
Top 100 Trial Lawyers: Criminal Defense, The National Trial Lawyers
2013
Top 40 Trial Lawyers under 40, The National Trial Lawyers
2009
Award of Achievement - Young Lawyers Leadership Academy, State Bar of Georgia/Young Lawyers Division
2006
Graduate Research Fellowship, Max Planck Institute for Intellectual Property, Tax and Competition Law
2005
National Deans List, TJSL
2005
Witkin Award,
2005
The Jefferson Medal, Thomas Jefferson School of Law
2005
Dean Selection Committee, Outgoing Dean of Students (TJSL)
2005
Pro Bono Honors, Thomas Jefferson School of Law
2005
Academic Excellence Award for Music Law and Licensing, Center for Computer Assisted Legal Instruction
2005
Named Delegate to the EIPIN Congress, Munich Intellectual Property Law Center
2004
National Deans List, Thomas Jefferson School of Law
2004
The Lee Memorial Scholarship, Board of Trustees (TJSL)
2004
Pro Bono Honors, Thomas Jefferson School of Law
2004
Certificate of Achievement in Pro Bono Service, Vietnam Veterans of San Diego
Work Experience
2026 - Present
Founder, McIlvaine Law Group
2025 - Present
Deputy Magistrate Judge, Magistrate Court of Glynn County
2023 - Present
Municipal Court Judge, Brunswick Municipal Court
2010 - Present
Criminal Justice Act Panel Attorney, United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia
2015 - 2025
Partner, Williams Litigation Group, P.C.
2009 - 2015
Founder, McIlvaine Law Group
2008 - 2009
Supervising Attorney, Atlantic Judicial Circuit Defender
2008 - 2008
Supervising Attorney, Brunswick Judicial Circuit Defender
2006 - 2008
Assistant Circuit Defender, Brunswick Judicial Circuit Defender
2006 - 2006
, The Law Firm of Boehmert & Boehmert
2006 - 2006
, The Law Firm of Wuesthoff & Wuesthoff
2004 - 2004
, The Law Offices of the Public Defender of San Diego County
2004 - 2004
Clerk, Superior Court of the State of California
2003 - 2004
, The Law Firm of Spinola & Miller
Associations
2008 - Present
Georgia Lawyers for the ArtsVolunteer Attorney
2008 - Present
Atlantic Judicial Circuit Bar AssociationMember
2006 - Present
Georgia Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
2004 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
1998 - Present
Sigma Chi FraternityMagister (2000), Social Chair (1999, 2001, 2002), Editor (1999)
2010 - 2012
McIntosh County Board of ElectionsBoard Member
2005 - 2006
Student Bar Association (MIPLC)Vice President
2004 - 2005
Student Bar Association (TJSL)Vice President
2004 - 2005
Association of Trial Lawyers of America (Student Chapter)President
2004 - 2005
Just DemocracyTreasurer
2004 - 2005
The InformerEditor-in-Chief
2001 - 2002
The ReviewStaff Reporter
Education
2006
Master in Intellectual Property Law (LL.M.)
2005
JD - Juris Doctor
2004
Intensive Trial Advocacy
2003
Law Study Abroad
2003
Law Study Abroad
2002
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2006
Presentation of the Alumni Charter
2001
Praetor Election
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Hi, what's the penalty for being in possession of 1 xanax pill? also, is it a misdemeanor or felony?
02 Apr 2018
Does $869.00 sound correct for a speeding fine in Ashburn, Turner County Georgia for going 100 in a 70 mph zone?
02 Apr 2018
What is the punishment for theft by conversion?
09 Feb 2011
Legal Guides
Getting a Second Opinion on a Serious Criminal Case
15 Oct 2026
Protecting Your Music, Art, and Brand: Copyright and Trademark Basics
15 Oct 2026
Civil-Rights Claims in Georgia: Deadlines People Miss
15 Oct 2026