James Whalen, Brooks Pierce Photo

James W. Whalen

Associate

Overview

James Whalen represents governmental clients, individuals, and businesses in all stages of litigation. Before joining Brooks Pierce, James served in the Office of the North Carolina Solicitor General, where he assisted in high profile litigation in the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Courts of Appeals, and state appellate courts. He has argued cases in the North Carolina Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. He leverages this experience and his background as a federal law clerk to inform his case strategy and assist his clients in state and federal court.

My Practices

  • James frequently works with teams that represent state agencies and officers, public colleges and universities, municipalities, utilities, and other governmental and quasi-governmental clients.

  • James helps businesses of all sizes navigate everything from routine legal issues to large, complex business litigation.

  • James leverages his experience as an appellate advocate to guide litigation at the trial level and develop compelling arguments on appeal.   

Credentials

Clerkships

Law Clerk to the Honorable Loretta C. Biggs, U.S. Court District Court for the Middle District of NC, 2021-2022

Education

University of North Carolina School of Law, J.D., 2021, with high honors; Order of the Coif; Chancellor’s Scholar; Articles Editor, North Carolina Law Review

University of North Carolina at Asheville, B.A., 2015, cum laude; Student Body President

Admissions

North Carolina

U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit

U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina

Newsroom

Professional & Civic

Professional & Civic Activities

Board member, North Carolina Voter Project (2023-present)

Committee member, Jonesboro United Methodist Church staff-parish relations committee

  • 34
    34 attorneys named to Business North Carolina's 2024 "Legal Elite" and "Hall of Fame"
  • 117
    117 attorneys with the highest standard of professional and personal excellence
  • 72
    72 of our attorneys are recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 Guide
Jump to Page

This website uses cookies to enhance user experience and to analyze performance and traffic on our website. For more information on our cookie use, see our Privacy Policy.