Regent Law alum James Davis (’91) was recently selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers 2009.
Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Super Lawyers magazine, published in all 50 states and with a readership of over 13 million, recognizes attorneys in each state who received the highest point totals in peer-review assessment and through the independent research of Law & Politics.
“It’s a humbling experience [to be recognized as a Super Lawyer]. In reality, there are many excellent lawyers, but I appreciate the vote of confidence by my peers. I will strive to be worthy of the honor,” said Davis who is a trial lawyer in North Carolina and has had a successful practice for 18 years. “To run a successful firm, it’s taken lots of effort and the willingness to ask questions. It is difficult to master business and management principles of a law practice. I watch successful attorneys, seek the counsel of relevant professionals, read a lot, and, in the end, ask my wife. She’s loaded with smarts and common sense.” Davis credits his whole family with supporting his accomplishments.
Davis’s son, James A. Davis II, has taken support of his dad’s career a step further; he’s followed his dad’s path to Regent Law where he is now in his second year. “Working with my father after college was the best thing I could have done before entering law school,” said Davis II. “He taught me to appreciate both the intellectual and counseling aspects of practicing law.”
The young Davis has an outstanding academic record and a knack for the courtroom, which he attributes to watching his father. “Intellectually, I could not have a better teacher. Aside from being a ‘Super Lawyer,’ he is recognized as a board certified specialist in federal and state criminal law and regularly speaks at CLE's on an array of evidence issues.”
The young Davis also has taken cues from his father’s dedication to his clients. “[My father] showed me that being an attorney isn't just another job, but a vocation which can be used to positively influence the lives of others. Many of his clients are in jail, spiritually and emotionally broken, and are awaiting trial. He often takes an extra five to ten minutes -- time that he doesn't have -- to step away from the merits of the case and let his clients know he cares about them personally. In fact, he often uses this time to pray with them.”
Davis didn’t anticipate that his son would become a lawyer and never pushed him in that direction. When asked what it feels like to have his son follow so closely in his footsteps Davis said, “Unworthy. He is a shining star who is humble, diligent and very smart. He will be a far better lawyer than I am. I not only love him; I respect him. I am thrilled to one day have the opportunity to practice with him, as I did with my dad.”
And the young Davis returns his father’s compliments; “Simply put, I'm both proud and fortunate to be able to call him ‘Dad.’”