About James E Courtney
James E Courtney II is an attorney practicing in South Carolina who moved quickly from public prosecution into private practice. He spent the early years of his legal career inside solicitor’s offices, then launched his own practice the following year. The path shows a clear throughline from courtroom work to running a small law office.
He earned his J.D. from the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law in 2003 after completing a B.S. in Criminal Justice and Ethics at Central Methodist University in 1999. Those academic choices set a practical foundation. Coursework and early clinical experience steered him toward the criminal justice system rather than corporate work.
Courtney’s first notable professional posts were as an assistant solicitor. In 2008 he served in the 9th Circuit Solicitor’s Office and also in the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office. In those roles he prosecuted cases, handled hearings, and worked on trial preparation. The record in solicitor’s offices tends to hone courtroom skills and trial strategy, and that background shaped how he later approached client matters.
In 2009 he opened The Courtney Law Office and began operating as a lawyer in private practice. Running a small firm changed the emphasis. He moved from single-case prosecution to representing individuals and managing the broader demands of a practice, including client counseling and case management. Starting a firm also meant handling the administrative and business responsibilities that come with private practice.
Colleagues and clients have noted that his prosecutorial experience informs his courtroom style. He understands how cases are built from the other side of the aisle. That perspective can influence negotiation and trial choices. He is comfortable in litigation settings and in court procedures that many private attorneys rarely see until later in their careers.
Today he is based at The Courtney Law Office, where he handles matters that draw on his earlier work in the solicitor’s offices and his academic training in criminal justice and ethics. He focuses his practice on criminal defense and related legal matters.
