James M. Wilson

James focuses his practice on commercial real estate acquisitions, development and finance. He regularly handles land use and re-zoning matters before zoning and planning boards, commissions, and city and county councils. He has worked extensively on the acquisition and development of hotel, residential, and mixed-use projects, including projects developed on ground leased property.

James has worked with developers and local governments on the creation and implementation of tax increment finance districts and municipal improvement districts and has negotiated development agreements and planned development zoning district documents for large and small real estate projects.

In addition to assisting clients on acquisitions and entitlements, James assists clients with negotiating loan documents and closing construction and permanent financing loans.

A significant part of James’ practice includes drafting the governing documents and establishing residential and mixed-use condominium regimes. He also assists clients with drafting declarations of covenants and restrictions and related property owner association documents for land development projects.

James formerly served as the Chair of the Mortgage Lending Committee of the American Bar Association Section of Real Property Trust & Estate Law.

Prior to returning to his hometown of Charleston, South Carolina, James practiced law in Washington D.C. where he focused on energy project finance and development and mergers and acquisitions. He began in 2003 with Buist, Moore, Smythe & McGee, PA and practiced with the firm for over 22 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

Order of the Coif

B.S., Washington and Lee University, 1993

Magna cum laude
Phi Beta Kappa

Civic and Professional Activities

District of Columbia Bar Association (inactive)
South Carolina Bar Association
Former Chair, Mortgage Lending Committee, American Bar Association Section of Real Property Trust & Estate Law

Honors and Awards

Chambers USA Ranked Lawyer, Real Estate, South Carolina (2014 - Present)
Named the Best Lawyers® "Lawyer of the Year" in Banking & Finance Law - Charleston (2020, 2023 - Present)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America (BL Rankings), Banking & Finance Law and Real Estate Law (2017 - Present)
Recognized in Charleston Business Magazine’s Legal Elite, Banking & Finance, Commercial Real Estate, Hospitality & Tourism (2020 - Present)

Admissions

1999, South Carolina