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A managing partner of Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, James W. Bannister graduated from the University of South Carolina honors program in 1992 as a Phi Beta Kappa. He received his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1995, after which he served for two years as clerk to US Federal Judge Henry M. Herlong. Since then, he has been with Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey.

Mr. Bannister is a member of the South Carolina Bar, Federal Bar Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, South Carolina Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and National Board of Trial Advocacy. Mr. Bannister has been honored among Greenville’s Legal Elite for criminal defense each year the award has been offered.

In 2007, Mr. Bannister earned his Criminal Trial Advocacy Certification from the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He has tried numerous felony cases in both Federal and State Courts, and holds notable experience in cases involving Drugs and Narcotics, RICO, Internet Crimes, White Collar Crime, Security Fraud, Tax Evasion, Murder, Criminal Sexual Conduct, Criminal Domestic Violence, and DUI.

On a national level, Mr. Bannister has been listed in Best Lawyers in America since 2008 for Criminal Defense and DUI Defense. He has also been included in South Carolina’s Super Lawyers for criminal defense since 2011. In 2016, Mr. Bannister became one of only three members of the South Carolina Bar to be named as a fellow to the American Board of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

In addition to his private practice, Mr. Bannister serves on the Board of Governors for the South Carolina Bar and was recently elected as Commissioner for Greenville Water. Mr. Bannister formerly served on two criminal law task forces, as appointed by the South Carolina Supreme Court, and as a Commissioner on the Commission on Indigent Defense, a commission appointed by Governor Haley.

Location
  • 24 Cleveland Street, Suite 100
    Greenville, SC 29601
Education
  • The University of South Carolina, Juris Doctorate, graduated 1995
  • The University of South Carolina, graduated 1992
Bar Admissions
  • South Carolina, South Carolina Bar Association
  • United States, US District Court
  • United States, US Court of Appeals 4th Circuit
  • United States, US Supreme Court
Affiliations
  • Buncombe St. United Methodist Church - Church Council
  • Greenville Water - Commissioner
  • South Carolina Bar Association - Board of Governors
  • South Carolina Criminal Defense Lawyers - Past-President
  • Supreme Court Criminal Docket Control Committee - Member
Federal Clerkships
  • United States District Court

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Criminal Defense: General Practice Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2020 - DUI / DWI Defense Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Criminal Defense: White-Collar Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - DUI / DWI Defense Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2014 - Criminal Defense: General Practice Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2012 - Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Criminal Defense: General Practice, Greenville (2022)
  • DUI / DWI Defense, Greenville (2020)
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Greenville (2019)
  • DUI / DWI Defense, Greenville (2017)
  • Criminal Defense: General Practice, Greenville (2014)
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Greenville (2012)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 for work in:
  • Criminal Defense: General Practice
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar
  • DUI / DWI Defense
Special Focus:
  • Federal
  • State
  • State and Federal
Awards:
  • Superlawyers -Criminal Defense (2010 -Present)
  • Top 100 Trial Lawyers - Criminal Defense (2011-Present)
  • Greenville Elite Attorneys - Criminal Defense (2012 - Present)
  • National Board of Trial Advocacy - Criminal Trial Certification (2007 - Present)
  • American Board of Trial Advocates - Young Lawyer of the Year - South Carolina (2004)

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