James provides strategic responses for his clients in energy litigation matters across the country.
He has a long history of representing electric cooperatives, independent power producers, electric utilities, oil and gas producers, liquefied natural gas (LNG) companies, and other energy-related companies.
With more than 35 years of experience in energy litigation, James defends and prosecutes cases in a variety of judicial and regulatory proceedings at both the state and federal level.
Defended electric utilities in a successful antitrust challenge to the electric industry structure in Georgia.
Represented electric utilities in several cases against municipalities involving the assessment of franchise fees and occupation taxes.
Represented an electric transmission utility in a successful challenge to a governmental ban on certain types of transmission lines.
Defended an electric utility in a personal injury lawsuit alleging that electromagnetic fields from power lines cause cancer.
Represented energy clients in government contract disputes involving competitive bidding laws.
Defended an independent power producer in a noise pollution nuisance case.
Represented an independent power producer in a contract dispute involving a co-generation facility.
Defended an LNG importer in claims by local distribution companies that the LNG caused safety concerns to the local distribution company system.
Defended a utility in a case challenging incentive-based practices used by electric utilities.
Defended an electric utility in a stranded cost case before the Federal Electric Regulatory Commission.
Represented electric cooperatives in more than 20 trials involving territorial integrity disputes.
Obtained an arbitration award of more than $4 million arising from the misappropriation of scrap metal.
Represented an electric generation cooperative in a suit by property owners that was voluntarily dismissed, alleging personal injuries and property damage arising from emissions from nearby power plant
Represented electric cooperatives in lawsuit to enforce rental and operational terms under a joint-use agreement.
Won dismissal of lawsuits by distribution cooperatives against two electric generation and transmission cooperatives seeking early termination of wholesale power contracts and withdrawal from membership.
Defended electric utility in multi-billion dollar class action lawsuit arising from abandonment of nuclear power plant project.
Represented G&T in litigation regarding renewal/appraisal terms in sale-leaseback arrangement.
Represented electric cooperative in successful antitrust challenge to municipality's tying arrangement.
Won dismissal of class action lawsuit against PA cooperative demanding distribution of patronage capital.
Defended an independent power producer in a nuisance case by neighboring landowners alleging noise and vibration from power plant.
Defended electric utility in lawsuit by neighboring landowners alleging that emissions from power plant contaminated air and groundwater.
Recognized by The Legal 500 United States in the area of general commercial disputes (2025-2026)
Recognized by Chambers USA: Guide to Leading Business Lawyers in the area of energy (2017-2024) and energy and natural resources (2025-2026)
Named to Best Lawyers in the area of energy law (2012-2026)
Recognized as a Top Author as part of JD Supra’s Readers’ Choice Awards for thought leadership in the utilities sector (2016)
Selected for inclusion in Georgia Super Lawyers® (2004-2010)
Georgia
North Carolina
Appellate Courts Georgia
Trial Courts Georgia
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
U.S. Supreme Court
B.A., summa cum laude, University of Georgia
J.D., cum laude, University of Georgia School of Law,