Lawyer Bio : James E. Weatherholtz

James E. Weatherholtz

Charleston

James Weatherholtz concentrates his practice on the representation of construction products manufacturers, contractors, homebuilders and sureties. James has particular depth of experience in building products cases, where he has defended manufacturers of engineered wood siding and trim products, elastomeric coatings, metal roof shingles, built-up roofing products, solder flux, and synthetic stucco cladding.
 
James also has experience defending surety companies in cases involving performance and payment bonds, residential builder’s license bonds and motor vehicle dealer bonds. He regularly represents contractors and subcontractors in cases involving payment disputes and alleged construction defects.
 
James’ clients include product manufacturers, homebuilders, commercial and industrial contractors and lending institutions. He represents numerous South Carolina companies for general business advice and litigation of commercial and contractual disputes. His practice also includes construction contract drafting and negotiation.
 
Representative Matters
Any result the lawyer or law firm may have achieved on behalf of clients in other matters does not necessarily indicate similar results can be obtained for other clients.
  • Co-Counsel in North Carolina Federal Court class action arising out of manufacturers marketing and sale of trim material.
  • Representation of a major national corporation in defense of two federal court class action cases involving engineered wood products.
  • Representation of a joint venture general contractor in a trial involving a $5 million payment claim arising from the new Cooper River Bridge project.
  • Defense of an elastomeric coating product manufacturer in condominium litigation.
  • Representation of contractors and construction product manufacturers in numerous matters involving multi-million dollar repairs to condominium and commercial projects.
  • Drafting and negotiation of contracts for the construction of hotels, hospitals, significant subcontracts on commercial projects and high-end custom homes.
 
Selected Reported Decisions
  • The Roof Doctor, Inc. v. Birchwood Holdings, Ltd., 366 S.C. 637, 622 S.E.2d 746 (Ct.App. November 21, 2005).
  • Carolina Steel Corporation v. Palmetto Bridge Constructors, 444 F.Supp.2d 577 (D.S.C. 2006).

Additional Biography Info

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Professional Activities

Bar Associations: 
DRI, The Voice of the Defense Bar
- Program Vice Chair, 2013 Product Liability Conference
- Chair, Building Products Specialized Litigation Group
- Vice Chair, Building Products Specialized Litigation Group, 2008-2010
- Member, Product Liability Committee
 
American Bar Association
- Forum on the Construction Industry
- Member, Division 7 Steering Committee, 2006-2009
- Division 7 Liaison to the Forum Publications Committee
 
South Carolina Bar, Construction Law Section
- Vice-Chair; Charleston County Bar Association
- Member, Executive Committee, 2005-2006
 
South Carolina Defense Trial Attorney’s Association
- Charleston Contractors Association.
 
Admitted to the bar: 1999, South Carolina.
Admitted to practice before the South Carolina Supreme Court, 1999; United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, 2000.
 

Civic Activities

Chairman of the Board of Trustees, James Island Presbyterian Church.

Education

B.A., History, 1996, The Citadel, magna cum laude, Pi Kappa Phi, Highest Departmental Award.
 
J.D., 1999, University of Virginia School of Law.

Publications

  • Contributing Author, South Carolina Damages, South Carolina Bar, 2009.
  • Contributing Author, Construction Checklists, American Bar Association, 2008.

Presentations

  • Psychological Impediments to Mediation Success, April 2012, DRI Product Liability Conference, Presenter.
  • Separating Product Liability Claims from the Construction Defect Case, April 2010, DRI Product Liability Conference.
  • Negotiation Tactics and Strategies, December 2009, SCDTAA Construction Law CLE.
  • I Don’t Want No ConsensusDOCS Bond Forms, or Do I?, September 2008, ABA Forum on the Construction Industry Fall Meeting.
  • I Like My Odds Using Statistical Evidence to Defend your Building Products Case, February 2008, DRI Product Liability Conference.
  • Making Mediation Work - A Model for Clients and Lawyers, September 2006, DRI Construction Law Seminar.
  • Class Action Litigation for Construction Products Manufacturers, April 2006, Construction Marketing Research Council Annual Meeting.
  • Advanced Construction Law, August 2003 and November 2005, National Business Institute.
  • Construction Contracting for Public Entities in South Carolina, April 2001, April 2003, and May 2007, Lorman Education Services.
  • Wavier of Subrogation, May 2004, ABA Forum on the Construction Industry Annual Meeting.

Additional Information

Honors

Super Lawyers, South Carolina Rising Stars 2012.