James T. Martin

Of Counsel

Areas of Experience

Services
Creditors' Rights & Bankruptcy
Real Estate
Industries
Banking

Education

Wake Forest University, JD, 1967

Wake Forest University, BA, 1964

Professional and Community Activities

Portsmouth Bar Association, President, 1991

Past Member, Virginia Board of Dentistry, 1986-1991; Vice President, 1990; Chairman, Budget Committee, 1987-1991; Chairman, Legislative Committee, 1988-1990

Portsmouth City Council, 1994

Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors, 1991-1992

Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce, Chairman, Legislative Committee, 1991-1995; Board of Directors, 1990-1992

Kiwanis International, Past Lt. Governor

Portsmouth Partnership, Director

Portsmouth Sports Club, President, 1998-1999

Director, Portsmouth Community Concerts

Tri Counties Industries, Board of Directors

National Kidney Foundation of North Carolina, Board of Directors

Recent Publications

Jurisdictions Licensed

130 S. Franklin St., Rocky Mount, NC 27804	t: 252.972.7093	\|	email
PO Box 353, Rocky Mount, NC 27802-0353	f: 252.972.7045	\|	vcard

Jim has more than 30 years of experience in the public and private sector representing clients in legislative and administrative matters before state and local governmental agencies and regulatory boards and commissions.

Representative Experience

In the areas of real estate, real estate development and financing, he has represented clients in real estate acquisitions, financing, and development.
In the areas of zoning, subdivision, land use, and municipal law, Jim has represented clients in a variety of administrative zoning and land use applications before local city councils and planning commissions.
As Deputy City Attorney, City of Portsmouth, Virginia, Jim was responsible for development and implementation of the city’s legislative program. He served as liaison to the Portsmouth General Assembly delegation and represented the Portsmouth School Board. In his duties, he prepared and administered city contracts for land development, construction and installation of public utilities, and other government facilities, leases, sales of government property and school construction. Jim drafted ordinances and resolution for adoption by City Council and School Board; and was legal advisor to the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning appeals, Board of Tax Equalization, Retirement Board, School Board, and other local government boards and commissions. He also administered departmental budget and served as office manager for administration and personnel matters.

Prior Legal Experience

Prior to joining Poyner Spruill, Jim was with the firms Cooper, Spong & Davis, P.C., Lieberman & Martin, P.C., and Moody, Strople & Kloeppel, Ltd., all in Portsmouth, Virginia. He also served as the Deputy City Attorney of Portsmouth. From 1967 to 1969, Jim was an Instructor of Government Procurement Law at the U.S. Army Logistics Center in Fort Lee, Virginia.