Jim Guynn is the managing partner and founder of the firm. Jim received his B.A. from Washington and Lee University in 1979 and J.D. from the University of Virginia Law School in 1982. He has over 30 years of experience representing and advising local governments and public officials in Virginia. He is admitted to all state and federal courts in the Commonwealth.

Jim currently serves as County Attorney for Alleghany, Franklin, and Patrick Counties.  In addition, Jim is the City Attorney for the City of Salem and provides general counsel services to the Western Virginia Regional Jail Authority, the Roanoke Valley Juvenile Detention Commission, the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority, the Giles County Public Service Authority, Giles County Public Schools, the City of Salem School Board, the NRV Regional Water Authority, and the New River Valley 911 Regional Authority.

Jim is an experienced and well-respected litigator and appellate advocate.  He has tried dozens of jury trials in both state and federal courts on subjects ranging from employment disputes to constitutional violations.  He has also litigated cases involving land use issues and procurement disputes.  In addition, Jim is an experienced appellate advocate with 18 cases decided at the Virginia Supreme Court and 12 published opinions from the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. 

Jim is an accomplished speaker and trainer.  He has served as a speaker at numerous programs for fellow attorneys provided by the Local Government Attorney’s Association, and conducted employment law training for localities and their human resources staffs.  He is the author of the chapter on Sovereign Immunity in the Local Government Attorney’s Handbook, a standard reference used by local government attorneys in Virginia. In addition, Jim maintains an AV Preeminent Rating from the Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review.