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James K. Lehman
Partner
Meridian
1320 Main Street
17th Floor
Columbia, SC 29201
1320 Main Street
17th Floor
Columbia, SC 29201
jim.lehman@nelsonmullins.com
Jim is the managing partner of the firm. In addition to his management responsibilities, he practices in the areas of business and securities litigation, white collar investigations, and professional liability.
Jim has also served in senior executive management positions. In 2001, he became Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Safety-Kleen, which, at the time, was...
Jim is the managing partner of the firm. In addition to his management responsibilities, he practices in the areas of business and securities litigation, white collar investigations, and professional liability.
Jim has also served in senior executive management positions. In 2001, he became Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Safety-Kleen, which, at the time, was undergoing one of the largest bankruptcies in U.S. history.
In addition to his firm responsibilities, he has also served as the outside general counsel for various private equity portfolio companies.
undergoing one of the largest bankruptcies in U.S. history.
In addition to his firm responsibilities, he has also served as the outside general counsel for various private equity portfolio companies.
Experience
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.
Experience
- Managing Partner, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP (January 2012–Present)
- Operations Partner, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP (January 2007–2011)
- Partner, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP (1996–2001 / 2004 – Present)
- Outside General Counsel, Novolex Holdings (2008-Present)
- Trustee, Safety-Kleen Creditors Trust (December 2003–2010)
Previous Professional Experience
- Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and Chief Ethics Officer, Safety-Kleen Corporation (2001–2003)
- Responsible for all legal functions, Board of Directors and corporate governance matters, and the ethics and compliance program.
- Representative responsibilities included:
- Chapter 11 Reorganization efforts
- SEC and U.S. Attorney Investigations
- Litigation against former parent, auditor, and insurer
- Sale of significant business lines
- Resolution of environmental liabilities and regulatory investigations
- Creation and implementation of Compliance and Integrity Line program
- Preservation of estate claims and filing of preference actions
- Associate, Davis Polk & Wardwell (1991–1995)
- Principal areas of practice included professional liability, antitrust, securities and financial institutions litigation, and white-collar defense
Representative Matters
- Has conducted internal investigations of Fortune 500 companies
- Defended two of South Carolina's largest companies in securities litigation
- Has acted as Counsel to Receiver appointed by U.S. Attorney for Ponzi scheme
- Represented technology professional services firm in 16 week trial in Columbia, SC
- Represented software developer in 12-week trial in U.S.D.C. in Oakland, CA
- Represented software developer in 4-week trial in U.S.D.C. in Denver, CO
- Has advised public and private companies in antitrust issues
- Represented software developer in FTC investigation
- Developed and provided risk management training for Big-4 consulting firm
Education
-
University of South Carolina School of Law,
JD,
magna cum laude
(1990)
- Associate Editor-in-Chief of the South Carolina Law Review (1989-1990)
- Michaelwitz Award (1988)
- Captain of the ABA Moot Court Team
- Order of the Coif
- Order of the Wig & Robe
- Order of the Barristers
- Carolina Legal Scholar
- Bob Jones University, BA, magna cum laude (1987)
Admissions
- South Carolina
- District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
- Supreme Court of the United States
Clerkships
- Law Clerk, the Honorable Robert F. Chapman, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (1990 - 1991)
Practice Areas
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.
Experience
- Managing Partner, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP (January 2012–Present)
- Operations Partner, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP (January 2007–2011)
- Partner, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP (1996–2001 / 2004 – Present)
- Outside General Counsel, Novolex Holdings (2008-Present)
- Trustee, Safety-Kleen Creditors Trust (December 2003–2010)
Previous Professional Experience
- Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and Chief Ethics Officer, Safety-Kleen Corporation (2001–2003)
- Responsible for all legal functions, Board of Directors and corporate governance matters, and the ethics and compliance program.
- Representative responsibilities included:
- Chapter 11 Reorganization efforts
- SEC and U.S. Attorney Investigations
- Litigation against former parent, auditor, and insurer
- Sale of significant business lines
- Resolution of environmental liabilities and regulatory investigations
- Creation and implementation of Compliance and Integrity Line program
- Preservation of estate claims and filing of preference actions
- Associate, Davis Polk & Wardwell (1991–1995)
- Principal areas of practice included professional liability, antitrust, securities and financial institutions litigation, and white-collar defense
Representative Matters
- Has conducted internal investigations of Fortune 500 companies
- Defended two of South Carolina's largest companies in securities litigation
- Has acted as Counsel to Receiver appointed by U.S. Attorney for Ponzi scheme
- Represented technology professional services firm in 16 week trial in Columbia, SC
- Represented software developer in 12-week trial in U.S.D.C. in Oakland, CA
- Represented software developer in 4-week trial in U.S.D.C. in Denver, CO
- Has advised public and private companies in antitrust issues
- Represented software developer in FTC investigation
- Developed and provided risk management training for Big-4 consulting firm
Media
News
| Nelson Mullins Lands 15 American City Business Journals Lists as Firm Grows Nationwide Presence (March 3, 2025) |
| Nelson Mullins’ Jim Lehman Named “50 Most Influential,” Inducted into “Hall of Fame”, Columbia Business Monthly (Jan. 23, 2025) |
| Over 350 Nelson Mullins attorneys recognized in 2025 Best Lawyers Individual Categories (Aug. 15, 2024) |
| Chambers USA Rankings 2024, Chambers and Partners (June 6, 2024) |
| Nelson Mullins Finalist for 2024 Southeastern Legal Awards as Litigation Department of the Year (April 23, 2024) |
Recognitions
The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation (2009–2025), Litigation – Mergers and Acquisitions (2009–2025), Litigation – Securities (2009–2025)
- Lawyer of the Year in Columbia, S.C. for Litigation - Securities (2025)
- United Way of the Midlands – Humanitarian of the Year Award (2024)
- S.C. Lawyers Weekly Leadership in the Law Award (2020)
- S.C. Supreme Court Pro Bono Honor Roll (2019)
- Columbia Business Monthly's 50 Most Influential
- Columbia Urban League – Social Justice Award (2019)
- University of South Carolina Law School – Compleat Lawyer Award (2016)
- Midlands Housing Alliance – Humanitarian of the Year (2015)
- Boys Scouts of America – Whitney M. Young Service Award (2014)
- United Way of the Midlands – Volunteer of the Year (2008)
- SC Philharmonic – Volunteer of the Year (2004–2005)
- South Carolina Super Lawyers, Securities & Corporate Finance (2025)
Professional Activities
- South Carolina Bar
- District of Columbia Bar
- American Bar Association
- DRI - The Voice of the Defense Bar
- E-Discovery Committee member/chair (2005 - 2008)
- American Inns of Court
- John Belton O'Neall Inn of Court
- American Law Institute
- American Bar Foundation Fellow
- Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough Center on Professionalism, University of South Carolina School of Law
- Leadership South Carolina
- Liberty Fellow
Leadership
- Law360 – Legal Industry Editorial Advisory Board (2019)
- Columbia Urban League, Board Member (2018-present)
- Best Lawyers Board of Advisors (2012-2019)
- Midlands Housing Alliance, Board Member (2008-2016), Former Board Chair
- The Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics Foundation, Board Member (2013-2017), Chair (2016)
- United Way of the Midlands, Board Member (2006-2014), Former Board Chair (2010-2011)
- Claflin University, Board of Trustees (2011-2017), Board Chairman (2018-present)
- Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce Good to Great Foundation, Board Member (2009-2012)
- City Center Partnership, Board Member (2012-2014)
- South Carolina Philharmonic, Past President and Former Board Member (2001-2008)
- Central Carolina Community Foundation, Former Board Member
- Gifts for the Homeless, Inc., Board Member & Officer, Washington, D.C. (1994-1995)
Jim is the managing partner of the firm. In addition to his management responsibilities, he practices in the areas of business and securities litigation, white collar investigations, and professional liability.
Jim has also served in senior executive management positions. In 2001, he became Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Safety-Kleen, which, at the time, was... undergoing one of the largest bankruptcies in U.S. history.
In addition to his firm responsibilities, he has also served as the outside general counsel for various private equity portfolio companies.
Experience
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.Experience
- Managing Partner, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP (January 2012–Present)
- Operations Partner, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP (January 2007–2011)
- Partner, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP (1996–2001 / 2004 – Present)
- Outside General Counsel, Novolex Holdings (2008-Present)
- Trustee, Safety-Kleen Creditors Trust (December 2003–2010)
Previous Professional Experience
- Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and Chief Ethics Officer, Safety-Kleen Corporation (2001–2003)
- Responsible for all legal functions, Board of Directors and corporate governance matters, and the ethics and compliance program.
- Representative responsibilities included:
- Chapter 11 Reorganization efforts
- SEC and U.S. Attorney Investigations
- Litigation against former parent, auditor, and insurer
- Sale of significant business lines
- Resolution of environmental liabilities and regulatory investigations
- Creation and implementation of Compliance and Integrity Line program
- Preservation of estate claims and filing of preference actions
- Associate, Davis Polk & Wardwell (1991–1995)
- Principal areas of practice included professional liability, antitrust, securities and financial institutions litigation, and white-collar defense
Representative Matters
- Has conducted internal investigations of Fortune 500 companies
- Defended two of South Carolina's largest companies in securities litigation
- Has acted as Counsel to Receiver appointed by U.S. Attorney for Ponzi scheme
- Represented technology professional services firm in 16 week trial in Columbia, SC
- Represented software developer in 12-week trial in U.S.D.C. in Oakland, CA
- Represented software developer in 4-week trial in U.S.D.C. in Denver, CO
- Has advised public and private companies in antitrust issues
- Represented software developer in FTC investigation
- Developed and provided risk management training for Big-4 consulting firm
Education
-
University of South Carolina School of Law,
JD,
magna cum laude
(1990)
- Associate Editor-in-Chief of the South Carolina Law Review (1989-1990)
- Michaelwitz Award (1988)
- Captain of the ABA Moot Court Team
- Order of the Coif
- Order of the Wig & Robe
- Order of the Barristers
- Carolina Legal Scholar
- Bob Jones University, BA, magna cum laude (1987)
Admissions
- South Carolina
- District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
- Supreme Court of the United States
Clerkships
- Law Clerk, The Honorable Robert F. Chapman, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (1990 - 1991)
Practice Areas
- Commercial Litigation & Business Torts
- Environmental Enforcement & Litigation
- False Advertising & Unfair Trade Practices
- Professional Liability
- White Collar Defense & Government Investigations
Industries
News
| Nelson Mullins Lands 15 American City Business Journals Lists as Firm Grows Nationwide Presence (March 3, 2025) |
| Nelson Mullins’ Jim Lehman Named “50 Most Influential,” Inducted into “Hall of Fame”, Columbia Business Monthly (Jan. 23, 2025) |
| Over 350 Nelson Mullins attorneys recognized in 2025 Best Lawyers Individual Categories (Aug. 15, 2024) |
| Chambers USA Rankings 2024, Chambers and Partners (June 6, 2024) |
| Nelson Mullins Finalist for 2024 Southeastern Legal Awards as Litigation Department of the Year (April 23, 2024) |
The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation (2009–2025), Litigation – Mergers and Acquisitions (2009–2025), Litigation – Securities (2009–2025)
- Lawyer of the Year in Columbia, S.C. for Litigation - Securities (2025)
- United Way of the Midlands – Humanitarian of the Year Award (2024)
- S.C. Lawyers Weekly Leadership in the Law Award (2020)
- S.C. Supreme Court Pro Bono Honor Roll (2019)
- Columbia Business Monthly's 50 Most Influential
- Columbia Urban League – Social Justice Award (2019)
- University of South Carolina Law School – Compleat Lawyer Award (2016)
- Midlands Housing Alliance – Humanitarian of the Year (2015)
- Boys Scouts of America – Whitney M. Young Service Award (2014)
- United Way of the Midlands – Volunteer of the Year (2008)
- SC Philharmonic – Volunteer of the Year (2004–2005)
- South Carolina Super Lawyers, Securities & Corporate Finance (2025)
- South Carolina Bar
- District of Columbia Bar
- American Bar Association
- DRI - The Voice of the Defense Bar
- E-Discovery Committee member/chair (2005 - 2008)
- American Inns of Court
- John Belton O'Neall Inn of Court
- American Law Institute
- American Bar Foundation Fellow
- Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough Center on Professionalism, University of South Carolina School of Law
- Leadership South Carolina
- Liberty Fellow
- Law360 – Legal Industry Editorial Advisory Board (2019)
- Columbia Urban League, Board Member (2018-present)
- Best Lawyers Board of Advisors (2012-2019)
- Midlands Housing Alliance, Board Member (2008-2016), Former Board Chair
- The Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics Foundation, Board Member (2013-2017), Chair (2016)
- United Way of the Midlands, Board Member (2006-2014), Former Board Chair (2010-2011)
- Claflin University, Board of Trustees (2011-2017), Board Chairman (2018-present)
- Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce Good to Great Foundation, Board Member (2009-2012)
- City Center Partnership, Board Member (2012-2014)
- South Carolina Philharmonic, Past President and Former Board Member (2001-2008)
- Central Carolina Community Foundation, Former Board Member
- Gifts for the Homeless, Inc., Board Member & Officer, Washington, D.C. (1994-1995)
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