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, $2.25 million, and other six-figure civil judgments; exclusion of the State's premier DWI expert; oral argument in the appellate courts; 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 48 CLEs; and visiting lecturer at law schools and the UNC-School of Government. His peer recognition includes an eleven-time selection as Super Lawyer (2026-2017, 2009); four-time selection to The Best Lawyers in America (2023-2020); two-time selection as a member of Legal Elite in criminal law by Business North Carolina (2026, 2025); selection as an "Icon" by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly (2023); 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 contributions to legal training programs for Indigent Defense Services (2019); 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. Born and raised in Rowan County, N.C., and the father of four children, he has been involved in a number of civic and community leadership positions.
Always
Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.
Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.
Chat withState: North Carolina
Acquired: 1991
No misconduct found
215 N Main St, Salisbury, NC, 28144-4305
200 Client Reviews
Showing 11 - 15 of 39 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by Susan | August 17, 2016 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI
Awesome Law Firm
My family has been using Davis Law Firm for several years for criminal and family law. They are very, very knowledgeable in their expertise. They are kind, caring, compassionate and treat you like family. They strive for the very best outcome, possible. No matter your situation, big or small Davis La...
Posted by Andrew | July 22, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
The Best
First off, as a person you couldn't ask for a better one, between him and his staff they are all beyond great people. They will go out of their way to help you with anything. You feel like family when you walk into his office. As a lawyer, very profesional, James and his staff are top notch, very inf...
Posted by Colleen | June 22, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Colleen
My husband and I hired Mr.Davis to represent our son in a misdemeanor criminal case.We had absolutely no experience in the court system,but we did know the excellent reputation of Mr. Davis.We wanted the very best for our son,and that's what we got.We were extremely pleased and immensely relieved wit...
Posted by Darla | March 17, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Wonderful attorney
We hired Mr. Davis because our sick son had been in a county jail for 19 months. He was not getting any representation from another local attorney who kept telling us the best plea deal he could get would be 48 months to 6 years. My son was a cancer survivor and was suffering so badly we decided to h...
Posted by anonymous | March 11, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
The Best!!
I have used James Davis for my criminal cases for the last 12 years. He is without a doubt the best criminal defense attorney around. He managed to get the fantastic and unbelievable outcome that resulted in me being home tonight, instead of in prison, on cases that one doesn't normally walk out of...
"I highly recommend and fully endorse Mr. Davis. His legal knowledge of criminal defense and DWIs are unmatched. Every client of his I have met, always sings praises of his legal work and how nice he and his staff are."
"James Davis is a highly skilled criminal defense attorney. While I was a resource prosecutor, I had the honor of traveling to Salisbury to try a jury trial against him. He has an excellent command of the law and an amazing attention to detail. Mr. Davis is a brilliant trial attorney who captures the attention of the entire courtroom when he speaks. More importantly, he is a consummate professional and a genuinely nice person. I wholeheartedly endorse him and recommend him to anyone with any criminal matters in Rowan County."
"Wholeheartedly, I recommend James. Every good attorney has read Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" and aspired to be a lawyer like Atticus Finch. Atticus exemplified compassion, skill, wisdom, perseverance, and fairness. James embodies all those traits. James is that classy, Southern lawyer that is mesmerizing to watch in the courtroom, but he is also a good and God-fearing man that is kind and honorable. There is no doubt that James is an amazing attorney and family law practitioner."
"I endorse this lawyer. He is one of the top trial lawyers in this area. I can comfortably refer a case to James because I know he will do an excellent job for the client"
"I highly recommend James to handle your legal affairs. I have worked with him for a number of years. He is a consummate professional. James's preparation and attention to detail are remarkable. He takes personal pride in service of others. James is committed to excellence in his representation of each and every one of his clients"
Family lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
2021
Lawyer of the Year in DWI defense in the Charlotte Area, The Best Lawyers in America
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
One of the Best Lawyers in America, The Best Lawyers in America
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
The John Rubin Award, The Commission on Indigent Defense Services
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2017
"Top 100 Trial Lawyers", The National Trial Lawyers
1991 - Present
Attorney, Davis and Davis, Attorneys at Law, PC
2020 - Present
North Carolina Board of Legal SpecializationCertified Family Law Specialist
2019 - Present
NC State Bar: Disciplinary Hearing CommissionMember
2002 - Present
North Carolina Board of Legal SpecializationFederal Criminal Law Specialist
2001 - Present
North Carolina Board of Legal SpecializationState Criminal Law Specialist
Former President
Former Board of Directors
Former Board of Directors
2012 - 2016
North Carolina State Bar Continuing Legal Education (CLE) BoardChair, Accredidation Committee
2002 - 2008
North Carolina State Bar, Specialization Criminal Law CommitteeChairman
Husband awarded over $131,000.00 in damages.
Not Guilty
2020
Certified Family Law Specialist
2002
Federal Criminal Law Specialist
2001
State Criminal Law Specialist
1991
JD - Juris Doctor
2012
DWI Defense
2011
Practical Evidence Trial Practice Pointers
2010
Third Party Intervention in Custody Actions
2010
Motions to Suppress: Statements, Property, and Identification
2009
Judicial Independence
2013
English