James Bradford Headshot

James A. Bradford

Partner
  • (205) 226-3407
Download Resume jbradford@balch.com
Education
  • The University of Alabama School of Law
    J.D., 1980
  • The University of the South (Sewanee)
    B.A., 1977, summa cum laude; Phi Beta Kappa; Omicron Delta Kappa
Bar Admissions
  • Alabama, 1980
About James
Q&A
  • What types of clients do you represent?

    Over the course of my practice in eminent domain and condemnation law, I have represented electric, gas, and water utilities, airport and housing authorities, and individual and business landowners in direct and inverse condemnation cases.. In the areas of real estate and title litigation, my clients have included title insurance companies, homeowners, business owners, mortgage lenders, and electric utilities.

  • What type of matters do you work on most often?
  • How are you involved in your community?

Select Matters

  • Served as trial counsel for electric utilities in the successful condemnation of easement rights for an underground natural gas lateral pipeline to accomplish the conversion of a steam plant from coal-fired to natural gas-fired electric generation.
  • Represented an airport authority in the successful condemnation of land for an enlarged runway, which included the relocation of a family cemetery located on one of the condemned parcels of land.
  • Won appellate reversal of an inverse condemnation judgment against a housing authority.
  • Retained by the American Land Title Association and the Alabama Land Title Association to submit “friend of the court” appellate briefs in several cases relating to title insurance and title law issues.
  • Won summary judgments for a number of mortgage lenders in litigation with local fire districts over the validity and priority of liens for fire district service charges.

Publications

    News

      Credentials

      Education
      • The University of Alabama School of Law, J.D., 1980
      • The University of the South (Sewanee), B.A., 1977, summa cum laude; Phi Beta Kappa; Omicron Delta Kappa
      Courts
      • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, 1981
      • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, 1982
      Bar Admissions
      • Alabama, 1980
      Professional Affiliations
      • Alabama Board of Bar Examiners
      • Alabama State Bar, Real Property, Probate and Trust Section
      • American College of Mortgage Attorneys, Fellow, Amicus Brief Committee
      • American Bar Association, Section of Tort Trial and Insurance Practice, past chair of Title Insurance Litigation Committee
      • Birmingham Bar Association, Scholarship Committee
      • International Right of Way Association
      • Society of International Business Fellows
      Awards & Accolades
      • Mid-South Super Lawyers, 2008 - present
      • The Best Lawyers in America®, 2024 Lawyer of the Year, Birmingham, Litigation - Real Estate
      • The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation, Litigation-Real Estate, Real Estate Law, 2012 - present
      Community Involvement
      • Advent Episcopal Day School, board of trustees
      • Cathedral Church of the Advent, clerk of vestry and former senior warden
      • Redmont Neighborhood Association