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James W Claflin Jr
also known as Claflin Law Ltd
Virtual Consultation Available
About James
Biography
Recognized as a Top Lawyer by Desert Companion Magazine, in “Top Lawyers: The Best of the Best in Southern Nevada” by Vegas Inc., rated “AV Preeminent” by Martindale-Hubbell, and “Superb” by www.AVVO.com.
James graduated magna cum laude from Brigham Young University’s J. Reuben Clark Law School, where he served as an articles editor for the BYU Law Review and was honored with a membership in the Order of the Coif for outstanding legal scholarship.
James continues to be recognized well past law school for his professional abilities. He is AV Preeminent rated, the highest possible attorney rating in legal ability and ethical standards by Martindale-Hubbell, the profession’s oldest publisher of attorney profiles and ratings. He is also rated the highest possible rating of “Superb” by , an unbiased online attorney search and rating firm. In 2012 and 2013, he was named in “Top Lawyers: The Best of the Best in Southern Nevada” by Vegas, Inc., and in 2013 and 2014 he was named by Desert Companion magazine as one of Southern Nevada’s Top Lawyers.
James began his law career in complex commercial litigation at a national law firm, Brown & Bain (now Perkins Coie) in Phoenix, Arizona. He later joined Scalley & Reading in Salt Lake City, Utah where he continued practicing law in commercial litigation and added general business to his practice areas. During that time James served as the Command Judge Advocate in the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) of the Army National Guard where he advised Army officers and soldiers in the areas of family law, small business law, and basic estate planning. He was promoted to the rank of Major, earned his jump wings at the US Army jump school at Ft. Benning, Georgia, and was recognized by the Army for his meritorious service.
As a partner at the Henderson, Nevada law firm of Peel Brimley LLP, his practice areas included corporate and business law, contractor regulatory compliance and licensing, and contracts law. Now with more than two decades of legal experience, James is the managing attorney of Claflin Law Ltd in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he practices business and family law.
James has been a member of the law faculties of Brigham Young University's J. Reuben Clark Law School, Concord University Law School, and the University of North Dakota Law School, where he also served as the Director of the Legal Research and Writing Program. As a law professor, James has enjoyed designing and teaching courses in legal research and writing, the legal process, appellate advocacy, torts, trial advocacy, and contracts. James has continued his love for teaching the law as a faculty member for attorney seminars on the subjects of business, corporate, contracts, and family law in addition to volunteering his time as a guest teacher at local schools on "Law Day." James also volunteers his time to pro bono cases and "Ask a Lawyer" clinics.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Divorce and Separation
65%
Marriage and Prenuptials
30%
Family
5%
Fees and Rates
Awards
2025 2024 2023
...
+
9
2012
Licenses
Licensed in Nevada for 20 years
State: Nevada
Acquired: 2005
No misconduct found
Licensed in Utah for 32 years
State: Utah
Acquired: 1993
No misconduct found
Licensed in Arizona for 34 years
State: Arizona
Acquired: 1991
No misconduct found
Location
Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find James online.
James W Claflin Jr's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
127 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Divorce & Separation (44)
Child Custody (19)
Family (13)
Lawsuits & Disputes (12)
Child Support (7)
Wills & Living Wills (7)
Business (4)
Corporate & Incorporation (3)
Limited Liability Company (LLC) (3)
Marriage & Prenuptials (3)
Construction & Development (2)
Estate Planning (2)
Litigation (2)
Commercial (1)
Contracts & Agreements (1)
Criminal Defense (1)
Financial Markets and Services (1)
Insurance (1)
What Clients Mention
Showing 1 - 5 of 39 reviews | Communication Style
Posted by anonymous | December 09, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
I am very thankful that I chose James!
James is a great attorney and very attentive details! Willing to go the extra mile to fight for you while still being fair. I had an extensive case but he was very communicative and allowed me to throughly understand all the complexities of the case I was dealing with. It was my first time ever bein...
James Claflin
Replied last December 22, 2025Thank you for your thoughtful review and for trusting me with your case. I’m glad I was able to provide clear communication and guidance through a challenging and unfamiliar process. It was a privilege to represent you, and I wish you all the best moving forward. — James W. Claflin Jr.
Posted by Nicholas | February 14, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Wills & Living Wills
Helpful, Professional, Prompt
James was the best man for the job of taking care of our assets by creating a will. He was on top of the whole situation with pleasant reminders after we had continued to forget to finalize this. Completing a will is not the task most want to complete, but with James, he made it very smooth and easy ...
Posted by James | November 20, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
Excellent service and results
Mr. and Mrs. Claflin used their extensive experience to provide me excellent service and results for my child custody case, Their integrity, honesty and clear communication from beginning to end was more than I could have ever expected. I was thoroughly prepared for every step in the process. T...
Posted by anonymous | May 10, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Excellent & Caring Attorney
James is an amazing divorce attorney that never stopped supporting me or my requests during my case. He listened to my concerns and was able to successfully get me a parenting agreement that I felt had my kids best interests at heart. James knew that we could get an amicable settlement and resolv...
Posted by anonymous | April 29, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Best lawyer I could have found
I hired Mr. Claflin for an annulment that I didn’t even think would be possible to obtain due to too much time passing. A couple of other attorneys told me that it would not be possible after a year, and a lot of the information I read online also did not give me much hope. Throughout the whole proce...
James W Claflin Jr's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse James. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"I highly recommend James for any legal need you may have."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"James is an excellent lawyer whose analytical skills and knowledge base exceeds the average lawyer. His experience is deep and impressive. Working with a former law school professor on a matter can be intimidating, but his experience teaching the law translates to his thorough understanding of many areas of the law and this benefits his clients."
"I have known James Claflin for 20 years, having attended and graduated from law school with him. I know him to have one of the most gifted legal minds in our class, and to be one of the most dedicated and hardworking people I have ever known. When class ranks were posted, it was not unusual for James to be near the top. At the same time, James is one of those rare individuals who can always be counted on to help anyone else who needed it, and I think he was on every class committee for every event that existed! After law school, James taught Legal Writing at our alma mater, Brigham Young University Law School. His office mate happened to be my sister, so I have some inside information about James' character and practice as a professional, rather than just as a student. Once again, James did not disappoint, but gave his all to his teaching and his students. In short, James Claflin is a man of character, legal skill, insight and integrity, whom I highly recommend"
"I have known James both personally and professionally for over 20 years. He is an extremely capable attorney and, more importantly, is of the highest moral character. I am happy to endorse James to anyone who is considering using his services."
"I endorse this lawyer. He is responsive, proficient, ethical, highly knowledgeable and understands the value of clarity in consulting his clients. I would personally retain him."
"I have know James since 2008 and worked with him for two years. He is an outstanding individual of the highest moral and ethical character. He is worthy of the utmost trust and confidence."
"I endorse James Claflin. He is committed to achieving the best result for his clients."
"I have known and worked with James Claflin for several years. I have always found Jim to be fair, honest, capable and genuinely has his clients' best interests in mind in his representation of them."
"I’ve known and worked with Mr. Claflin for five or six years now. James is a critical thinker, a hard worker, an honest lawyer (oxymoron?—not in his case), and a professional who is very concerned about achieving good outcomes for his clients. He deals fairly with his clients’ expectations and with the fees he charges them. I very much endorse this lawyer.."
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Experience
Honors
2025
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2024
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2015
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2014
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2014
Top Lawyers 2014, Desert Companion Magazine
2013
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2013
TOP LAWYERS 2013: The Best of the Best in Southern Nevada, VEGAS INC.
2013
Top Lawyers 2013, Desert Companion Magazine
2012
Top Lawyers 2012: The Best of the Best in Southern Nevada, VEGAS INC
1996
Top 10% Graduate, US Army National Guard
1991
Magna cum laude, Brigham Young University
1991
Order of the Coif, Brigham Young University
1991
Outstanding Scholastic Achievement, West Publishing Company
1990
Highest Grade in Legal Negotiation and Settlement, BYU J. Reuben Clark Law School
Work Experience
2008 - Present
Managing Attorney, Claflin Law Ltd
2005 - 2011
Partner, Peel Brimley LLP
2001 - 2005
Asst Prof of Law/Dir, Legal Research & Writing Program, University Of North Dakota School Of Law
2000 - 2005
Professor of Law, Concord University Law School
1996 - 2001
Managing Attorney, Claflin & Company
1994 - 2001
Command Judge Advocate General (Major), 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), UT Army National Guard
1993 - 1996
Attorney, Scalley & Reading PC, Utah
Associations
1991 - Present
J. Reuben Clark Law SocietyMember
Nevada State Bar
Family Law Section
Sample of Legal Cases
Green v. Green
Divorce decree obtained. All client goals achieved.
Carter v. Auto Credit Union
Successful negotiation of return of Lemon and full refund for clients.
SinCity CrossFit South LLC
Successful
Schollian v. Schollian
Speedy divorce decree obtained. Met all client goals.
Education
1999
US Army Infantry School, Airborne
Graduation
1996
US Army National Guard
Judge Advocate Officer Advanced Course
1991
Brigham Young University - J. Reuben Clark Law School
Juris Doctorate
1986
Brigham Young University
Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2011
Law Day 2011: The Legacy of John Adams
General American Legal System; Writs of Habeus Corpis
2011
Fundamentals of Construction Contracts: Understanding the Issues in Nevada
Laws That Affect Construction Contracts; Key Clauses to Modify
2009
Collecting Construction Payments in Nevada
Bidding; Contract Clauses
2009
Basic Business Law
Basic Business Law
2008
Fundamentals of Construction Law in Nevada
Overview of Bidding Process; Construction Contract Clauses
2008
Collecting Construction Payments in Nevada
Bidding; Contract Clauses
2007
New Contractor Seminar
How to Set Up a Corporation; Contractor/New Lien Laws
2007
Fundamentals of Construction Law in Nevada
The Construction Contract; Overview of Bidding Process
2007
Essential Skills for Drafting LLC Agreements
Foundational Formation Concepts; Tips for Successful Drafting
2007
Drafting & Enforcing Commercial Leases in Nevada
Significant Issues Specific to Commercial Leases
2007
Collecting Construction Payments in Nevada
Bidding; Contract Clauses
Publications
2012
Avvo Legal Guide
What is a Nevada LLC?
2011
Avvo Legal Guide
I've just been arrested. What do I do now?
2007
Essential Skills for Drafting LLC Agreements
Foundational LLC Formation Concepts
2007
Essential Skills for Drafting LLC Agreements
Tips for Successful LLC Agreement Drafting
2007
Drafting and Enforcing Commercial Leases in Nevada
Significant Issues Specific to Commercial Leases
Languages
English
French
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Top Contributor
James earned significant contribution points in 2012.
Legal Answers
Q&A
QDRO was never certified but it was signed a few days after the funds were removed from the account. Should one be in contempt?
17 Jan 2023
Q&A
Can my kids mother take my kids out of state without my permission?
14 Aug 2020
Q&A
Can my current status of Primary Physical Custody be changed if my ex wants 50/50?
15 Aug 2020