Overview
James Weaver has been assisting clients with government relations, including incentives and relocation packages for more than 30 years. An attorney with a passion for policy and politics, Mr. Weaver delivers strategic advice and counsel to clients seeking assistance understanding, interacting, or doing business with the government. From traditional lobbying to providing regulatory counsel, to leading complex public affairs efforts, to dealing with a crisis, he provides insightful guidance to his clients using his extensive experience and knowledge of how government works.
Mr. Weaver has spent years building relationships and cultivating a reputation for honesty and excellence. He is particularly active in the following areas:
- incentive programs and economic development
- outside general counsel
- natural resources (mining, environmental, energy)
- real estate development
- transportation
- professional sports
Many of Tennessee's largest and highest-profile businesses rely on Mr. Weaver as their primary government affairs advisor. Representative clients and industries include:
- energy
- professional sports teams
- construction
- healthcare
- manufacturers
- mining
- development/retail
- waste management
- communications
- hospitality
- significant nonprofit entities
- trade associations
Mr. Weaver has spent years developing close relationships with elected officials and senior business leaders across the state. These relationships provide him with unique perspectives and an unparalleled ability to solve a client's problems. As part of his practice, Mr. Weaver works with clients across the region with the site selection, incentives and permitting, and public, community and government affairs aspects of controversial projects. A charismatic country boy from a small town in West Tennessee with an innovative and influential spirit, he also delivers value by offering creative options and ideas to clients seeking to form, expand, relocate or revitalize their business.
Credentials
- University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, J.D.
- Vanderbilt University, B.A.
- Tennessee
- United Way of Metropolitan Nashville, Vice-Chairman of Board of Trustees, Former Chair Government Affairs Committee and Former General Counsel
- Tennessee Road Builders Association, General Counsel
- Tennessee Bar Foundation, Fellow
- Nashville Bar Association
- Tennessee Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Tennessee Editor for Matthew Bender's Brownfields Law and Practice Treatise
- Nashville Chamber of Commerce, Former Government Relations Vice Chair
- Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Former General Counsel
- Tennessee Bar Association, Environmental Law Section Executive Committee, Former Secretary/Treasurer and Member
- United Way of Metropolitan Nashville, Executive Committee and Board of Trustees, Vice Chairman, Member
- Tennessee State Fair, Board of Commissioners, Former Board Chair and Member
- Forum for Youth Investment, Washington, D.C., Former Board Member, General Counsel and Founding Board Chair
- Community Impact! Nashville, Founding Board Chair
- Reconciliation, Inc., Former Board Chair
- United Way of Middle Tennessee Agency Review Team, Former Member
- Community Shares, Inc. and Council of Community Services, Former Board of Directors Member
- The Best Lawyers in America guide, Environmental Law, 2013-2023; Gaming Law, 2010-2023; Government Relations Practice, 2007-2023
- The Best Lawyers in America guide, Lawyer of the Year - Government Relations Practice (Nashville), 2021
- The Best Lawyers in America guide, Lawyer of the Year, Environmental Law (Nashville), 2022
- Mid-South Super Lawyers magazine, 2006-2007, 2013-2020
- Nashville Business Journal, Nashville's Most Prolific Metro Lobbyist; Nashville's "Power 100"; Best of the Bar, Government, 2019-2022
- Nashville Post, In Charge, Real Estate, 2022