JS

James Sullivan, Construction Attorney in Charleston, South Carolina

focused on Construction and Personal Injury

Trusted construction attorney serving Charleston.

Are you James Sullivan?

This profile was built from public bar records and is still unclaimed. Claim it free to control your photo, bio, and fees — and get client inquiries sent straight to you.

Claim this profile — free

Quick answer

James Sullivan is an attorney based in Charleston, SOUTH CAROLINA. The practice focuses on Construction and Personal Injury. Currently practicing at Howser, Newman & Besley LLC.

Based in
Charleston, SOUTH CAROLINA
Experience
attorney
Known for
Construction · Personal Injury
  • Handles Construction and Personal Injury matters from Charleston, SOUTH CAROLINA.
  • Recognized with Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Construction (2026).

About James Sullivan: James Sullivan is an attorney based in Charleston, SOUTH CAROLINA. The practice focuses on Construction and Personal Injury. Currently practicing at Howser, Newman & Besley LLC.

Areas of practice

Legal matters James takes on

James concentrates on construction and personal injury. Each area below outlines the kind of case James handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Construction cases in Charleston, South Carolina

James takes construction matters in Charleston, South Carolina. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before James agrees to represent you.

Personal Injury cases in Charleston, South Carolina

James takes personal injury matters in Charleston, South Carolina. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before James agrees to represent you.

Biography

Meet James Sullivan — construction lawyer in Charleston

James Sullivan is an attorney based in Charleston, SOUTH CAROLINA. The practice focuses on Construction and Personal Injury. Currently practicing at Howser, Newman & Besley LLC.

Jim Sullivan always knew he wanted to become an attorney, but didn’t take the direct route to get there. Instead, Jim taught English at James Island Charter High School for five years before attending law school. Upon graduation in 2008, Jim joined Howser, Newman, & Besley in their Charleston office.

Jim’s practice primarily involves cases involving construction defect litigation, personal injury defense, and complex insurance coverage issues such as bad faith claims. Additionally, he is a certified mediator. Jim credits much of his success as an attorney to his willingness to spend time combing for the small details that matter. He is committed to the firm’s mission of efficient and effective representation without sacrificing quality and integrity.

While in law school, he served as the Editor-in-Chief of the South Carolina Law Review, and authored the note, L-J, Inc. v. Bituminous Fire & Marine Insurance Co.: A Comedy of ‘Occurrences,’ 58 S.C. L. Rev. 533 (2007).

Jim also serves on the Board of Directors for James Island Charter High School.

Working with James on a construction matter

Jim Sullivan always knew he wanted to become an attorney, but didn’t take the direct route to get there. Instead, Jim taught English at James Island Charter High School for five years before attending law school. Upon graduation in 2008, Jim joined Howser, Newman, & Besley in their Charleston office. Jim’s practice primarily involves cases involving construction defect litigation, personal injury…

Who James represents

James reviews new inquiries case-by-case for construction and personal injury matters in Charleston and the surrounding South Carolina area.

Credentials

Education, bar admissions, and languages

  • The University of South Carolina School of Law

    J.D. · 2008

James studied at J.D. in The University of South Carolina School of Law.

Law school and academic background

James completed J.D. in The University of South Carolina School of Law. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice James runs in South Carolina is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Recognition

Recognition and thought leadership

James has received 2 formal recognitions from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.

  • Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Construction

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants

    2026

Legal awards and honors

Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Construction (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (2026).

Locations

James Sullivan's office in Charleston

James's primary office is at 215 East Bay Street, Suite 303, Charleston, South Carolina, 29401. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

Howser, Newman & Besley LLC

215 East Bay Street, Suite 303

Charleston, South Carolina 29401

Open in Google Maps

Client feedback

Client reviews of James Sullivan

James has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.

No reviews yet

Only verified clients who have consulted with James Sullivan can leave a review.

Schedule your consultation

Hiring guide

How to hire James Sullivan — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new construction attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with James usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

James charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain James's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; James will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a construction attorney in Charleston, South Carolina

A short list to run through before you commit: How many construction matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for James

James discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in construction practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every construction matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. James confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

James's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many construction practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about James Sullivan

  • How much does it cost to hire James for a construction case?

    Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. James walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

  • Does James offer a free consultation?

    James charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain James's office. Some construction attorneys offer free consults — check James's current terms during booking.

  • How long do construction cases in South Carolina typically take?

    Simple construction matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. James gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

  • Can James take my case if I'm outside Charleston?

    James is licensed in South Carolina. Matters governed by South Carolina law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — James will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

  • What should I bring to my first meeting with James?

    Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. James will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

  • Is James accepting new construction clients right now?

    James's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

Construction attorneys serving Charleston, Columbia and Greenville in South Carolina

James handles construction matters throughout South Carolina. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified construction attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If James's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these construction attorneys in Charleston handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.