James W. Bannister graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1995.
In 1995, he was admitted to the practice of law in South Carolina and is a member of the South Carolina Bar, Federal Bar Association, O'Neal Inn of Court, Greenville Young Lawyers Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, South Carolina Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, National Board of Trial Advocacy, and the Greenville Chamber of Commerce (member, Board of Regents, 1999-2001). Mr. Bannister was appointed by the South Carolina Supreme Court to the South Carolina Criminal Rules Task Force. Additionally, he serves on the South Carolina Bar Criminal Law Committee. He is also LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rated.
Recognized as a top lawyer in Greenville, Mr. Bannister was listed in the Best Lawyers in America for the past 5 years (2007-2012) for his work in DUI/DWI Defense as well as white and non-white collar criminal defense. He achieved Criminal Trial Advocacy Certification from the National Board of Trial Advocacy in 2007. He serves actively as a member of the Board of Stewards at Buncombe St. United Methodist Church in Greenville.
In 2004, he received the Young Lawyer of the Year Award for S.C., from the American Board of Trial Advocates and was listed as one of the Best & Brightest Under 35 in the Greenville Magazine.
Born in Greenville, Mr. Bannister was a member of Phi Eta Sigma and Phi Beta Kappa. He also served on the Order of the Barristers and formerly served as a law clerk to the Honorable Henry M. Herlong, Jr. of the U.S. District Court. From 2000-2004, Mr. Bannister worked on the Civil Service Commission.
Johnson v. Collins Entertainment Co., 204 F.3d 573 (2000); Johnson v. Collins Entertainment Co., 199 F.3d 710 (1999); Kirkland v. Chastain, 105 F.3d 647 (1997); Hamby v. U.S., 538 F.2d 324 (1976); United States v. Massingale, 500 F.2d 1224 (1974); Ex parte Strom, Opinion 25213, 539 S.E.2d 699 (2000); Lee v. South Carolina Dep't of Natural Resources, 530 S.E.2d 112 (2000); Johnson v. Collins Entertainment Co., 508 S.E.2d 575 (1998); Abba Equip. Inc.v. Thomason, 517 S.E.2d 235 (1999); Ex parte Strom, Opinion 2954, 514 S.E.2d 599 (1998).
