James E. Weatherholtz

James focuses his practice on construction, real estate development, and product liability law, most often representing builders, developers, owners, and product manufacturers in litigation and transactional matters. He regularly handles construction defect claims for national homebuilders, contractors, and building product manufacturers, including the insurance and indemnity issues regularly associated with such claims. James has successfully defended multiple class actions and serves as national counsel for litigation claims. 

James works closely with developers, negotiating contracts, planning projects, and advising on risk allocation and mitigation. He also advises product manufacturers on warranty issues, drafts product warranties, assists clients in developing claims programs, and counsels on product safety issues, including matters that may come before the Consumer Product Safety Commission. James has a multi-jurisdictional arbitration practice and frequently handles business litigation matters outside the construction and manufacturing sectors.

James has served as Chair of the South Carolina Bar Construction Law Section, Chair of the DRI Product Liability Committee (the largest committee within the organization), and a member of DRI’s Law Institute.  DRI recently elected him as a National Director to its Board of Directors. 

James began his practice in Charleston with Buist Moore Smythe McGee, PA in 1999 and practiced with the firm for over 25 years as it transitioned to Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC and then Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP. Along with his three partners, he founded Harper Warnock Weatherholtz & Wilson, LLC in 2026 with a focus on real estate, construction, and litigation.

Education

J.D., University of Virginia School of Law, 1999

B.A., The Citadel, 1996 

• magna cum laude
  

Civic and Professional Activities 

• DRI, The Voice of the Defense Bar
  
  • National Director, Board of Directors, 2025-present 
  • Law Institute, Appointed Member, 2022-2025
  • Member, 2024 Annual Meeting Steering Committee
  • Chair, Product Liability Committee, 2019-2021
  • Vice Chair, Product Liability Committee, 2017-2019
  • Program Chair, 2014 Product Liability Conference
  • Chair, Building Products Specialized Litigation Group, 2010-2012
• American Bar Association, Forum on the Construction Industry
  
  • Division 7 Steering Committee, 2006-2009
  • Division 7 Liaison to the Publications Committee
• South Carolina Bar
  
  • Chair, Construction Law Section, 2012-2013
  • Member, Judicial Qualifications Committee, 2009-2012
  • Section Delegate, Construction Law, 2014-2015
• Charleston County Bar Association
  
  • Member, Executive Committee, 2005-2006
• Charleston Contractor’s Association, associate member and speaker
• James Island Presbyterian Church
  
  • President of Board of Trustees, 2010-2017
  • Regular Sunday School Teacher
• United States Army Reserves, 1992-1998
  

Honors and Awards 

• Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America in the fields of Construction Law, Construction Litigation, Product Liability Litigation (defendants), and Commercial Litigation
• Named as the Best Lawyers Construction Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Charleston, SC in 2019 and 2023
• Recipient of the William F. Womble Award for Service to the Bar, 2022
• Recognized in Charleston Business Magazine’s Legal Elite, Construction, Personal Injury, and Product Liability 
• Martindale-Hubbel®, AV Preeminent Rated
• Super Lawyers Honoree, South Carolina Super Lawyers magazine
  

Admissions 

• 1999, South Carolina and South Carolina Supreme Court 
• US District Court for the District of South Carolina 
• US Court of Appeals for the Fourth, Third, Sixth, and Eighth Circuits