James W. Bannister

James “Jim” W. Bannister is a managing partner of Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey. He graduated from the University of South Carolina Honors College in 1992 as a Phi Beta Kappa and earned his J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1995. After which, Jim served for two years as a law clerk to U.S. Federal Judge Henry M. Herlong and has been with Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey since that time. 

Jim is a criminal defense trial lawyer known for handling complex felony matters in both state and federal courts. His experience includes cases involving drugs and narcotics, RICO, internet crimes, white-collar offenses, securities fraud, tax evasion, homicide, criminal sexual conduct, criminal domestic violence, and DUI. 

He is a member of the South Carolina Bar, the Federal Bar Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the South Carolina Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and the National Board of Trial Advocacy. In 2007, Jim earned Criminal Trial Advocacy Certification from the National Board of Trial Advocacy. 

Jim has been recognized among Greenville’s Legal Elite for criminal defense each year the honor has been awarded. He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America since 2008 and recognized in South Carolina Super Lawyers since 2011, including being named Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” for Criminal Defense: White-Collar, General Practice, or DUI/DWI Defense in 9 of the last 15 years. He has also been recognized by The National Trial Lawyers as a Top 100 Trial Lawyers: Criminal Defense honoree and is a Fellow in the American Board of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the American College of Trial Lawyers, and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. In addition to his trial practice, Jim serves as Chairman on the Greenville Water Commission.