Atty. James W. Bannister

Atty. James W. Bannister

James “Jim” W. Bannister is a managing partner of Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey.

Call (864) 298-0084 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About James W. Bannister at a glance

James W. Bannister is a dui/dwi, criminal defense, and white collar attorney based in Greenville, South Carolina, practicing at Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey LLC. Admitted to practice in South Carolina, South Carolina Bar Association, United States, US District Court, United States, US Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, and United States, US Supreme Court. Educated at The University of South Carolina (—, 1995) and The University of South Carolina (—, 1992). Recognitions include Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (Greenville) (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: General Practice (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2026). Serands clients in Greenville, SC and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • James “Jim” W. Bannister is a managing partner of Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey
  • He graduated from the University of South Carolina Honors College in 1992 as a Phi Beta Kappa and earned his J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1995
  • After which, Jim served for two years as a law clerk to U.S
  • Federal Judge Henry M. Herlong and has been with Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey since that time
  • Jim is a criminal defense trial lawyer known for handling complex felony matters in both state and federal courts
  • His experience includes cases involving drugs and narcotics, RICO, internet crimes, white-collar offenses, securities fraud, tax evasion, homicide, criminal sexual conduct, criminal domestic violence, and DUI
  • He is a member of the South Carolina Bar, the Federal Bar Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the South Carolina Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and the National Board of Trial Advocacy
  • In 2007, Jim earned Criminal Trial Advocacy Certification from the National Board of Trial Advocacy
  • Jim has been recognized among Greenville’s Legal Elite for criminal defense each year the honor has been awarded
  • He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America since 2008 and recognized in South Carolina Super Lawyers since 2011, including being named Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” for Criminal Defense: White-Collar, General Practice, or DUI/DWI Defense in 9 of the last 15 years
  • He has also been recognized by The National Trial Lawyers as a Top 100 Trial Lawyers: Criminal Defense honoree and is a Fellow in the American Board of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the American College of Trial Lawyers
  • In addition to his trial practice, Jim serves as Chairman on the Greenville Water Commission

Practice Areas Explained

James W. Bannister's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases James W. Bannister handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

DUI / DWI Defense

Find experienced DUI and DWI defense attorneys near you. Compare verified profiles, read client reviews, and consult about your case for free.

James W. Bannister is one of 29,976 dui/dwi attorneys indexed nationally. Browse dui/dwi attorneys in South Carolina →

Criminal Defense

A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.

James W. Bannister is one of 214,270 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in South Carolina →

White Collar Crimes

James W. Bannister is one of 20,025 white collar attorneys indexed nationally. Browse white collar attorneys in South Carolina →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in South Carolina

Practicing law in South Carolina. Legal matters in South Carolina are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Greenville are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate South Carolina state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in South Carolina brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in South Carolina courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional South Carolina attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Greenville or all attorneys in South Carolina.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about James W. Bannister

Where is James W. Bannister's law office located?
James W. Bannister's law practice is located in Greenville, South Carolina. The firm is Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey LLC. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does James W. Bannister handle?
James W. Bannister focuses on dui/dwi, criminal defense, white collar. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in South Carolina.
Where did James W. Bannister go to law school?
James W. Bannister earned their education at (—, 1995); (—, 1992).
How can I contact James W. Bannister for a consultation?
You can contact James W. Bannister directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has James W. Bannister received?
James W. Bannister's notable recognition includes: Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (Greenville); Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: General Practice; Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar; Best Lawyers in America — DUI / DWI Defense; Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:.

Education

The University of South Carolina
- 1995
The University of South Carolina
- 1992

Awards

Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (Greenville)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: General Practice
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — DUI / DWI Defense
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Federal
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — State
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — State and Federal
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — American College of Trial Lawyers Fellow (2023)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — American Board of Criminal Lawyers Fellow (2016)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Superlawyers -Criminal Defense (2010 -Present)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Top 100 Trial Lawyers - Criminal Defense (2011-Present)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Greenville Elite Attorneys - Criminal Defense (2012 - Present)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — National Board of Trial Advocacy - Criminal Trial Certification (2007 - Present)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — American Board of Trial Advocates - Young Lawyer of the Year - South Carolina (2004)
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: General Practice (Greenville)
- 2025
Lawyer of the Year — DUI / DWI Defense (Greenville)
- 2025
Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: General Practice (Greenville)
- 2022
Lawyer of the Year — DUI / DWI Defense (Greenville)
- 2020
Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (Greenville)
- 2019
Lawyer of the Year — DUI / DWI Defense (Greenville)
- 2017
Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: General Practice (Greenville)
- 2014
Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (Greenville)
- 2012

Bar Admissions

South Carolina, South Carolina Bar Association
United States, US District Court
United States, US Court of Appeals 4th Circuit
United States, US Supreme Court

Reviews

These reviews belong to platform users; they do not constitute advertisement or promotion for the attorney. Opinions are published for informational purposes only.

No reviews yet.