James I. Ward IV
Special Counsel
| Charleston
Industries
Services
Meet James
James Ward serves as Special Counsel in the firm’s Charleston office, where he provides comprehensive legal counsel to municipalities, elected officials and local governments. James advises on a broad range of matters impacting South Carolina local governments, including land use and zoning, public works projects, environmental regulations, municipal finance, economic development and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).Prior to joining the firm, James served as Assistant Corporation Counsel for the Town of Mount Pleasant, where he provided legal advice and guidance to Town leadership. In that role, he drafted and negotiated contracts, ordinances and resolutions and represented the Town in litigation and administrative proceedings, including eminent domain, land use, real estate, and labor and employment matters.
In addition to his public sector practice, James handles business and contract litigation and real estate transactions, including title review and the closing of complex property matters. He also advises individuals on estate planning and probate matters, delivering practical, solutions-oriented guidance tailored to each client’s needs.
Education
- Charleston School of Law, J.D., 2018
- Clemson University, B.A., 2014
Admissions
- South Carolina, 2018
Professional and Civic Activities
- South Carolina Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
- Charleston County Bar Association
- South Carolina Municipal Attorneys Association
- Bishop England High School Alumni Association
Presentations and Publications
- “Estate Administration Tips,” 24th Annual Charleston County Probate Court Seminar, Charleston, SC, December 19, 2019
- “How to Navigate a Family Business Through Probate” and “Legal Ethics," Estate Planning and Administration for Family Businesses, National Business Institute, Co-Authored with Judge Irvin G. Condon, 2019
- “Initial Filing in Probate Court and Estate Timeline” and “Law of Intestate Succession,” The Probate Process from Start to Finish, National Business Institute, Co-Authored with Judge Irvin G. Condon, 2019
- “The Probate Process Explained," The Ultimate Guide to Probate, National Business Institute, Co- Authored with Judge Irvin G. Condon, 2017
