Tracy Thompson James Member Hamilton Stephens Steele + Martin, Charlotte

Tracy Thompson James started her career with her eye on practicing employment law, but coming from three generations of construction professionals she realized construction was in her DNA.

“My dad is a developer, my grandfather was a general contractor, and my great-grandfather was a brick mason,” she says. “I decided that employment law wasn’t for me and naturally gravitated toward construction law.”

James recalls the construction of an industrial warehouse along Interstate 77. When the property was developed, the retention ponds were graded incorrectly, causing flooding and the release of methane from a high volume of organics that had been buried on the property.

“That case went on for years and involved areas of the law outside the construction realm,” she says. “It was a great learning experience.”

Today, her practice has shifted toward contract administration, helping clients avoid litigation and conducting arbitrations.

“I expect these trends will continue, as it’s more enjoyable helping clients solve issues before problems arise,” she says.