James Quander

James Quander is a respected criminal defense attorney with extensive experience in state and federal criminal courts. His practice focuses on complex criminal litigation, including multi-count, multi-defendant criminal conspiracies, murder, sexual misconduct, and white-collar cases, in addition to complex personal injury, family law, and contract negotiation. A North Carolina State Board Certified Specialist in State and Federal Criminal Law, James has tried more than 50 cases to a jury in the last five years and regularly appears in courts throughout the southeast. 

Before law school, James was a standout Atlantic Coast Conference student-athlete on the Wake Forest University football team. He was a two-year starter and a four-year letter recipient on the team’s linebacking corps. In his senior year, he was presented with the Bill George Award, an honor given to the most outstanding lineman/linebacker.

James maintains a close connection with college and professional sports and has represented student and professional athletes in matters ranging from NCAA investigations to NFL workers’ compensation actions. He has been certified as a Contract Advisor by the NFL Players Association and successfully negotiated contracts with the Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, and Tennessee Titans. Outside of his legal practice, James regularly speaks with young athletes across the state about their academic and athletic futures. 

Within his community, James is an active member of local bar associations and takes on many criminal pro bono cases each year. In 2016, he received the Harvey Lupton Award for Most Distinguished Criminal Lawyer, an honor presented by the Forsyth County Criminal Defense Trial Lawyers Association to recognize outstanding achievement and dedication in the field of criminal law. 

He earned his B.A. and J.D. from Wake Forest University and now serves as a guest lecturer and student mentor.