Testimonials

I came to Mr. Payne’s office a few short days after a tragedy happened in my life. and needed legal support, I was told that Mr. Payne was one of the best attorneys in the area, I hired Mr. Payne shortly after meeting him, Mr. Payne and his staff were so helpful in the legal process and continue to be a huge support for me, in a time I felt destroyed by the circumstances I was in, he looked at me without judgement and walked me through the most difficult thing I have ever faced, I am forever grateful for Mr. Payne and his staff and the comfort they have gave me, it shows that God has his hand all over his team. Mr. Payne and his team have been a true blessing to me.

James Payne is the most professional attorney that I have ever worked with. His staff was very friendly and caring and walked us through the process very easily. I was very satisfied with the service from him and his staff. My wife and I were very impressed with the way he represented me in court. He believed in me, fought for me and I was found not guilty. I can’t thank him enough for his professionalism and outstanding results in my case. All I can say is if you need the best, call The James Payne Law Firm. I highly recommend him to anyone!

I retained the services James Payne for a 2020 arrest, and I am very pleased with every aspect of the process & outcome. I asked around for the best attorney in the County, and James Payne’s name came up several times. After the initial consultation, I felt more relaxed & had more confidence about my case due to My. Payne’s knowledge & understanding of the law and the process. In addition to his experience, I felt that he was a supportive attorney who seemed to truly care about his clients. Throughout the process of my case, it became more evident that Mr.  Payne really values his clients & their well-being. In addition to Mr. Payne, all the staff members that worked at the law firm were terrific: competent, professional, and personable. I felt like my case needs were put first, and I was treated as a friend rather than as an anonymous number. My nerves were calmed, doubts were reassured, and the process was always well explained. Mr. Payne fought hard for me. He went above and beyond and did everything he could to ensure a great outcome. I couldn’t have asked for a better law firm or attorney. In addition to his legal achievements, Mr. Payne is a highly decorated Veteran, which was also very impressive & reassuring to me. I would highly recommend the W. James Payne Law Firm to anyone seeking the best legal counsel in southeastern North Carolina.

I hired Mr. Payne in 2023 to represent my fiancé for several …. [criminal charges]….. Being that I live in Texas I really tried to make a good, informed decision given what I read about the attorneys I had looked through. I knew what county was charging him and wanted to find an attorney that handled that county and surrounding counties. I emailed Mr. Payne in hopes if I explained the situation that he could possibly help me. Imagine my joy when his office manager Brittany emailed me with the news Mr. Payne wanted to video conference with me.

My first impressions were: This man could wear a suit! He was direct, straight forward, and to the point. He had a calmness about him, he was informed and well versed. He let me know what to expect and how he and his office go about collecting their research before they even accept a case.  He speaks to the client, the… [prosecuting authority]…, and the family before he comes up with a  GAME PLAN! Then it’s time to build a case.

It was very apparent who the best suited for the job would be and who had all the qualities I was looking for in an attorney. He never over promised or gave me false hope. His staff was very efficient and when they said they’d call…. THEY DID. He has the reputation of being the best and now I have first-hand knowledge of why!

Tonight, I sit in Texas waiting for my fiancé to process out of The Dept. of Corrections in North Carolina. All charges were run concurrently, and he was given time served. Initially he was looking at ALOT of time.

There are no words I can think of to express how grateful we are for all he’s done. This nightmare is finally almost over! He is free to start his life over again with me in Texas. I entrusted Mr. Payne with a member of my family. And at the end Mr. Payne fought for my family and me.

I highly recommend Mr. Payne and his staff for any and all legal matters. It was money well spent for peace of mind knowing that he would do his best to get the best possible outcome.

Thank you, Mr. Payne, Brittany, Sabrina and to all those that participated in helping my fiancé get a second chance at life! James and I are very pleased with how we were treated throughout this entire process.

One of the scariest things I have ever had to face was being accused of a crime I had not committed. Having a detective leave a business card at my front door with a request to call was puzzling, and my initial reaction was to call. I had an idea of what the detective wanted to discuss, but I had done nothing illegal, and I saw no reason not to call. I called and received a voicemail and left a message. Thankfully, I started thinking about it during the evening. I am fortunate that I have close friends in law enforcement that I could call, which I did. I explained the situation, and although I was innocent of any wrongdoing, the message was clear. Do not speak to the detective. Obtain an attorney.

I was strongly referred to as James Payne by a friend’s husband who is a real estate attorney. My friend’s husband was adamant that James Payne was the right person for a criminal issue, and he was right. From my first meeting with James Payne, he instilled confidence in me. Mr. Payne fully explained to me my options, one of which was to do nothing since I had not been charged of any crime as of yet. Since this was a serious matter that could incur jail time if found guilty, that option did not agree with me at all.

I felt it was better to go on the offense in proving my innocence. Once I made the decision to hire Mr. Payne, I knew immediately this was an attorney that was going to fight for me. Mr. Payne took his time explaining everything he would do and the process he would go through to protect me, fight for me, and prove my innocence. Although I knew I was innocent, the sad truth is that at times, innocent people do go to jail. My close friends in law enforcement stressed this point to me.

Throughout the process, his legal assistant Alex kept me informed of the status of the situation. Any time I had a question or concern, I would call Alex and she would either have an answer for me or obtain one in a quick fashion. Aside from the professionalism I received, I also appreciated the compassion that Mr. Payne and Alex both showed towards me and my situation.

Although I spent numerous sleepless nights worrying about what would happen, the process of going on the offensive proved to be the correct path. I finally received the call I had been waiting for from Mr. Payne letting me know that the… [prosecutor]… was no longer looking at me as a possible person of interest and that the nightmare was finally over. If things had gone another way and I had been charged, there is only one person I would want by my side in court, and that is James Payne.

If you find yourself in need of a criminal defense attorney. Do not hesitate. Call James Payne.

Let me start by expressing my more humble and sincere thanks for your representation of myself throughout my recent ordeal. In hindsight, I cannot fathom being represented by a firm, and individuals, other than yourselves. The quality of the case, preparation, and documents presented in my behalf were second to none. Additionally, my professional life and career were kept in discrete tones, another hallmark of the demonstrated experience displayed within the course of my case.

Within the writings of Henry Kett, the phrase: “I hesitate not to pronounce, that every man who is his own lawyer, has a fool for a client.”, could not be more apt. I recognize that aspect of myself, and never experienced a moment of regret for my decision. Being involved in….[a criminal case]… with serious injury and death, is a sobering realization. Mr. Payne came to … [see me personally] ….. After our initial consultation, the communication was consistent, yet not overwhelming. I was physically asked for little, minus pertinent information. Mr. Payne, along with his team, pulled the necessary “pieces” together based on my initial input. I appreciated not having to consistently relive the aftermath of that… [incident]….

After [some time], my case was brought before the court. In my opinion, this is the area where Mr. Payne comes into his element. His physical demeanor within the confines of the courtroom is exemplary. It is within this arena where Mr. Payne displays the full complement of his military and legal background through his preparation, his oratory skills, and his unimpeachable knowledge of the law.

I feel not lucky, but blessed, to have been represented by Mr. Payne and his team. Never would I, for a second, not provide the most hearty, robust, recommendation to Mr. Payne and his Office.

“Ne desponderis ne dedideris”

I was in search of a good legal team to represent me in …. [a criminal case] ….in North Carolina. Unfortunately, I had to work through two other law offices before finding James Payne and his fantastic team. From the very beginning, you could sense a much better experience with the constant communication, legal advice and organization the ladies help with on a daily basis. I cannot say enough great things about this team. When the trial date finally approached us, Mr. Payne did a great job keeping me calm and informed. He showed up looking extremely professional and it showed in his case argument as well. He was much more prepared than even the officers or state prosecutor. Ultimately, the charge was thrown out completely by the Judge. I am extremely thankful for the professionalism, respect and empathy they showed for this very sensitive matter in my personal life. I am forever thankful and indebted to James Payne and his support staff. Thank you again for all you do! Highly recommend them in you are looking for a solid council.

I would personally like to express my appreciation for having the honor of being represented by W. James Payne Law Firm. Although there are countless reasons I could give to justify my gratitude, I will concentrate on three key points I find outstanding.

First, I believe Attorney James Payne’s staff is second to none. Knowledgeable of his clients, procedure and schedule, they seem to always be able to be concerned. The staff are very professional and friendly. Unlike many law firms, they accepted my calls when I was incarcerated, and there was always a pleasant person to talk to on the other end. If the saying “The quality of an organization can be judged by the people that work there” is true, then W. James Payne Law Firm has to be one of the best.

Second, I believe W. James Payne is an attorney of the highest standard. His understanding of the law is baffling, and his experience shows in his straightforward demeanor. I don’t think there is anything he has not seen when it comes to criminal law. A Federal lawyer and a capital lawyer, I have heard testimonies. of his success in many areas. Somehow mixing his specialization in law with his understanding of life. I always left speaking to him with hope. With his quick and informative answers to my most trivial questions, I know he must excel in the courtroom. There is no doubt that W. James Payne is one of the best Lawyers in NC.

Lastly, I believe W. James Payne is a great man. The fact that he is a Marine proves he will fight for his fellow man, and he believes in the rights of all Americans. Personally, he comforted me with his wise advice. and on-time suggestions for navigating my own circumstances. A good Listener. A sign he really cares about what I had to say. To further my faith in his interest in what I had to say, I would occasionally receive a handwritten letter from him highlighting some point in our conversation. The fact that he valved what I said and took time out of his busy schedule to write to me about it, demonstrated to me the type of man he was.

In conclusion, I would like to say that I’m currently incarcerated awaiting the outcome of all W. James Payne’s work on my case; however, with my freedom and life on the line, I can think of no other attorney I rather have on my side.

James Payne is an excellent attorney. His command of the legal system, coupled with his strength of character, make him a force of nature. My experience was outstanding and the outcome was very successful. There is no better.

Mr. Payne and his staff helped me with a serious legal matter a few years ago. Staff members are polite and helpful and Mr. Payne very nice, knowledgeable and efficient and effective in the courtroom. He delivered exactly what he said he would. I highly recommend James Payne Law Firm

Mr. Payne is an excellent attorney! He is very knowledgeable about the law. He really cares about his clients and will work fiercely for you. He makes you feel like you are family. His office staff is wonderful also. They are very friendly and professional , and also very efficient. I highly recommend him!!!

Mr. Payne is an outstanding gentleman and amazing attorney! He’s Very knowledgeable . He never wants to lose a case. He will defend you and do all the homework necessary to win your case.
He’s a very compassionate man and empathetic at the same time. Extremely happy with his service. I would happily recommend James Payne! 👍👍

Mr. W. James Payne resolved my situation with his great legal knowledge. Due to his extensive legal experience and Judgment he was able to analyze my case for best defense. He communicated with me every step of the way during my defense. Mr. Payne is highly regarded by his peers and it is evident in his dealings with the courts.

Mr. Payne’s skill, relationships within the legal community, and personal concern made a difference in my son’s life. Mr. Payne fought hard to ensure all charges were dismissed and my son has made the most of his second chance.