James A. Davis

Top rated Criminal Defense attorney in Salisbury, North Carolina

Davis & Davis, Attorneys at Law, PC
James A. Davis
Davis & Davis, Attorneys at Law, PC

Practice areas: Criminal Defense, Family Law, General Litigation

Licensed in North Carolina since: 1991

Education: Regent University School of Law

Selected to Super Lawyers: 2009, 2017 - 2026

Davis & Davis, Attorneys at Law, PC

215 N Main St
Salisbury, NC 28144 Phone: 704-639-1900 Email: James A. Davis Visit website
Details

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 and other six-figure civil verdicts; 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 a ten-time selection as Super Lawyer (2025-2017, 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.

First Admitted: 1991, North Carolina

Professional Webpage: https://www.davislawfirmnc.com/attorneys/james-a-davis/

Bar / Professional Activity

  • Recipient of Professor John Rubin Award for Extraordinary Contributions to IDS Training Programs (2019)
  • N.C. State Bar: Disciplinary Hearing Commission Member (2022-2025 Term; 2019-2022 Term)
  • N.C. State Bar: Board of Continuing Legal Education, Accreditation Committee Chair (2010-2016)
  • N.C. State Bar: Board of Legal Specialization, Criminal Law Specialty Committee (2003-2007)

Special Licenses / Certifications

  • Board Certified Specialist in State Criminal Law (2001 to Present); Board Certified Specialist in Federal Criminal Law (2002 to Present); Board Certified Specialist in Family Law (2020 to Present).

Pro bono / Community Service

  • Current member of Board of Visitors at Catawba College; current member of Board of Trustees at Salisbury Academy; current member of Board of Directors for Rowan-Cabarrus YMCA; current member of Board of Trustees at Charleston Southern University; past member of Board of Directors for Rowan Helping Ministries; past member of the Board of Directors for Salisbury YMCA; past Deacon and Secretary of Board of Deacons at First Baptist Church of Salisbury, NC; past Sunday School Teacher at First Baptist Church of Salisbury, NC; past Assistant Wrestling Coach at North Rowan High School; past Gra-Y Youth Sports Coach; past Rowan Little League Coach; past Salisbury Parks and Recreation Youth Basketball Coach; and past J.F. Hurley Family YMCA Youth Sports Basketball Coach
  • Recipient of the Rowan-Cabarrus YMCA Distinguished Service Award (2019), J.F. Hurley YMCA Distinguished Service Award (2018), Salisbury YMCA Distinguished Service Award (2002), Salisbury YMCA Outstanding Leadership Award (1996), and Jaycees Distinguished Service Award (1982)

Honors

  • Selected to North Carolina Super Lawyers in 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2009, Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers
  • Selected as one of "The Best Lawyers in America (2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020), The Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers
  • Selected as a member of Legal Elite in criminal law (2026, 2025), Legal Elite, Business North Carolina
  • Selected as "Icon" by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly in 2023., Icon, North Carolina Lawyers Weekly, 2023
  • Selected the "Lawyer of the Year" in DWI Defense in the Charlotte area by The Best Lawyers in America, Lawyer of the Year in DWI Defense, The Best Lawyers in America, 2021
  • Selected one of the "Top 100 Trial Lawyers" by the National Trial Lawyers (2017), Top 100 Trial Lawyer, National Trial Lawyers, 2017

Scholarly Lectures / Writings

  • Continuing Legal Education Lecturer, 2025 Case Law Update: The Latest in North Carolina Family Law, 2025
  • Continuing Legal Education Lecturer, From Castle Walls to Street Confrontations: North Carolina Self-Defense in 2025 (Oct. 24, 2025), 2025
  • Continuing Legal Education Lecturer., From Castle Walls to Street Confrontations: North Carolina Self-Defense in 2025 (Sept. 26, 2025), 2025
  • Continuing Legal Education Lecturer., 2025 Update to Jury Selection: The Art of Peremptories and Trial Advocacy Techniques, 2025
  • Continuing Legal Education Lecturer., Examination of an Expert: A Quick Reference Guide for the North Carolina Family Law Attorney, 2024
  • Continuing Legal Education Lecturer, 2024 Update to Jury Selection: The Art of Peremptories and Trial Advocacy Techniques, 2024
  • Continuing Legal Education Lecturer., There’s a Defense for That: A Quick Reference Guide to North Carolina Defenses and Cutting-Edge Trial Strategies, 2024
  • Continuing Legal Education Lecturer, The DWI Trial Notebook: A Primer for the North Carolina Practitioner, 2024
  • Continuing Legal Education Lecturer, Practice Pointers: Hone Your Skill Set, 2023
  • Continuing Legal Education Lecturer, 2023 Case Law Update: The Latest in North Carolina Family Law, 2023
  • Continuing Legal Education Lecturer, 2023 Update to Jury Selection: The Art of Peremptories and Trial Advocacy Techniques, 2023
  • Continuing Legal Education Lecturer, The Art of Closing Argument, 2023
  • Continuing Legal Education Lecturer, Mastering the Intersection of Family Law and DWI Law, 2023
  • Continuing Legal Education Lecturer, The DWI Trial Notebook: A Primer for the North Carolina Practitioner, 2022
  • Continuing Legal Education Lecturer, 2022 Update to Jury Selection: The Art of Peremptories and Trial Advocacy Techniques, 2022
  • Continuing Legal Education Lecturer, North Carolina DWI Law: Where Am I and How Did I Get Here?, 2021
  • Continuing Legal Education Lecturer, 2021 Case Law Update: The Latest in North Carolina Family Law, 2021
  • Continuing Legal Education Lecturer, The DWI Trial Notebook: A Primer for the North Carolina Practitioner, 2021
  • Continuing Legal Education Lecturer, 2021 Update to Jury Selection: The Art of Peremptories and Trial Advocacy Techniques, 2021
  • Continuing Legal Education Lecturer, The DWI Trial Notebook: A Primer for the North Carolina Practitioner, 2020
  • Continuing Legal Education Lecturer, The Role of a Private Investigator in Family Law Cases, 2020
  • Continuing Legal Education Lecturer, 2019 Update to Jury Selection: The Art of Peremptories and Trial Advocacy Techniques, 2019
  • Continuing Legal Education Lecturer, Think You Know Criminal Law? Version 3.0, 2019
  • Continuing Legal Education Lecturer, Walk Through an Expert Tender and Exclusion, 2019
  • Continuing Legal Education Lecturer, Civil Procedure Made Easy: Version 2.0, 2019

Office location for James A. Davis

215 N Main St
Salisbury, NC 28144

Selections

11 Years Super Lawyers
  • Super Lawyers: 2009, 2017 - 2026

Certificates and credentials

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