About

EDUCATION

• LL.M., Taxation, University of Washington (2003)
• J.D., University of South Carolina (1992)
• M.B.A., magna cum laude, University of South Carolina (1992)
• B.S.Ch.E., Clemson University (1981)

LICENSED IN

• Georgia
• South Carolina

JIM DENNING

Jim began his first career out of Clemson University as a Plant and Process Design Engineer in the oil industry. During an assignment in contract management, he was bitten by the law bug and ultimately left engineering to enter law school.  While working toward his law degree, he also enrolled in business school and graduated with dual degrees in law and business.

During his first several years practicing law, he handled construction and commercial litigation as an insurance defense lawyer. Jim made the switch to transactional and business organizations work when he joined Troutman Sanders.  In the intervening years, he worked in inhouse positions and attended tax law school. He joined the McNair Law Firm in 2006 and moved to Burr & Forman LLP following the merger of McNair into Burr in 2019.

During his years at McNair and Burr, Jim worked in a variety of practice areas related to corporate and business, M&A, international trade, intellectual property, estate planning and probate administration, commercial transactions, and cybersecurity and data privacy. He assisted large and small businesses in the manufacturing, technology, construction, energy, education, and services industries.

Jim left BigLaw to establish J. Denning Law LLC and its import trade division, Denning Trade Law, on September 1, 2020. Jim now divides his time between a general business practice (e.g., relationship and operational issues, M&A, corporate, estate planning & probate administration, IP licensing and professional practice sales) and assisting clients with US Customs and Import Trade matters and international transactions. He also advises clients on federal procurement Made in America requirements as well as FTC-regulated advertising issues involving Made in the USA claims.

Jim strives to improve each client’s position by understanding unique circumstances, challenges, and objectives – and through translating complex legal concepts into practical, meaningful guidance to promote thoughtful and well-informed decision-making and strategic implementation.