Jami Jackson Farris

Jami Farris handles diverse business disputes. She tries cases and handles appeals for plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal courts, and she arbitrates before the American Arbitration Association, the National Arbitration Forum, and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. She is certified by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission (NCDRC) as a Superior Court mediator.

Jami regularly advises and represents clients on a wide range of issues that include:

Breach of contract claims
Tort actions arising out of business relationships
Internet domain name disputes
Social media issues
License terminations
Intellectual property disputes
Consumer claims
Motor Vehicle Act
Real estate development
Construction
Securities
Medical malpractice

She is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Federal, Fourth, and Seventh Circuits, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and the U.S. Courts for the Western, Middle, and Eastern Districts of North Carolina.

Representative Experience

International Equipment Company v. Guzman, et al., United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina (2022). Obtained summary judgment in excess of $12 million against former employee on claims for theft and embezzlement, unjust enrichment, fraud, conversion, RICO, NC RICO, and unfair and deceptive trade practices, based on his sale of company assets for his and others’ benefit. Also obtained a $1 million consent judgment against his wife and a default judgment in excess of $12 million against his shell company.
Owen Faricy Motor Co. v. Hulmiho Ukolen, FA21060019499181 (National Arbitration Forum, June 25, 2021). Obtained transfer of domain name incorporating client’s trademark.
Excel Trade, Ltd. v. Snack Company, American Arbitration Association – Portland, OR (2017). Represented an international snack food company defending against claims related to the termination of its international sales broker of more than 10 years. Negotiated a confidential settlement.
Speedway Motorsports, International, Ltd. v. Bronwen Energy Trading, Ltd, et al., 707 S.E.2d 385 (N.C. Ct. App. 2011), 706 S.E.2d 262 (N.C. Ct. App. 2011), Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Superior Court, Business Court, case no. 08-CVS-9450. Obtained confidential settlements and $36 million judgment in 2015 against parties to petroleum financing support agreement. Our clients sued British and Dominican contracting parties, Arizona principal and French and Swiss banks in North Carolina to recover funds debited from SMIL's bank account in Switzerland related to first demand guarantees issued to support purchase price of oil in petroleum transactions.
The Tire Hanger Corp. v. My Guy Concierge Service, et al., United States District Court for the Central District of California, case no. 5:14-cv-00549 (2014). Represented a national chain of car dealers defending against claims of alleged infringement of two patents for tire hanging devices used with automotive lifts. Negotiated a confidential settlement.
Usher v. Hospital (2014). Plaintiff was a 40-year-old who was paralyzed in a single car accident. He alleged the intensive care nurses’ failure to reposition him resulted in a deep tissue injury and osteomyelitis. The injury had not healed at the time of trial – four years after the hospitalization. Plaintiff had incurred almost $700,000 in medical expenses and alleged damages for pain and suffering. Plaintiff’s counsel asked the jury to award their client $3 million. The jury returned a verdict of no negligence after two weeks of trial. The judgment was affirmed by the North Carolina Court of Appeals in 2016.
CK Southern Associates v. Charlotte N.C. Hotel Corp., 725 S.E.2d 922, 2012 WL 1995195 (N.C. App. 2012). Obtained a $1,326,392.30 jury verdict after a weeklong trial for our client in August 2010, which was every penny requested. The judgment was affirmed by the North Carolina Court of Appeals in 2012. Our client sued to enforce the reimbursement provisions of a cross easement agreement in an office tower/hotel complex to recover its share of expenses for the major repairs of an outdoor plaza.
Prima Tek II, LLC. v. Klerk’s Plastic Products Manufacturing, Inc. (S.D.Ill. 2005), 525 F.3d 533 (7th Cir. 2008). Obtained no liability judgment in favor of our client which was affirmed on appeal by the Seventh Circuit in 2008 in an action for contempt of court and alleged breach of patent and intellectual property license agreements.
Dudley v. R. James, G. James, and MHC Industrial, Inc., Haywood County, North Carolina Superior Court, case no. 11 CVS 00422 (2012). Obtained summary judgment on all claims in favor of defendants in an action for breach of implied warranty of habitability, negligence, and unfair and deceptive trade practices based on the construction of a home.
Keffer Management Co., LLC v. Domain Administrator, FA1312001534568 (National Arbitration Forum, January 14, 2014). Obtained transfer of domain name incorporating client’s trademark.
Baker-Jacobsen Nissan North v. Domain Administrator, FA1258907 (National Arbitration Forum, June 9, 2009). Obtained transfer of domain name incorporating client’s trade name.
Landrover Houston North v. Texas International Property Assocs., FA1128338 (National Arbitration Forum, January 17, 2008). Obtained transfer of domain name incorporating client’s trade name.
McLeod Addictive Disease Center, Inc. v. WilData Systems Group, Inc., 2008 WL 2397614 (W.D.N.C. June 10, 2008). Obtained enforcement of forum selection clause selecting Ohio as forum.
Jim Myers & Son, Inc. v. Motion Industries, Inc., 140 F.Supp.2d 595 (W.D.N.C. 2001). Obtained dismissal for lack of personal jurisdiction of Michigan engineering firm that supervised construction of sewage treatment plant.
Cowell v. D.C. Boyle, Inc., American Arbitration Association – Gastonia (2005). Obtained a complete defense verdict in an action for breach of home construction contract, even though there were admitted code violations, because of homeowner’s unreasonable refusal to accept warranty work.
Harper v. Town and Country Ford, Inc., American Arbitration Association – Charlotte (2001). Obtained a complete defense verdict in an action for breach of a motor vehicle purchase contract and unfair and deceptive trade practices.

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Honors & Awards

Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow, 2019-present
The Best Lawyers in America in Commercial Litigation, 2013-2023
North Carolina Lawyers Weekly, Leaders in the Law Honoree, 2017
N.C. Pro Bono Honor Society, 2017
Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ in Litigation; Commercial Law; Construction Law; Alternative Dispute Resolution
Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award, Legal Services of Southern Piedmont, 2012
Charlotte Business Journal's 40 Under 40, 2010
Business North Carolina magazine's "Legal Elite" Young Guns, 2009
North Carolina Super Lawyers, 2023; Rising Star, 2009
James E. and Carolyn B. Davis Society, University of North Carolina School of Law
North Carolina State Bar Pro Bono Public Service Award, 1999
North Carolina Journal of International Law and Commercial Regulation, Articles Editor, 1998-1999

Memberships

McColl Center, Board of Directors, 2021-present
National Association of Dealer Counsel, Board of Directors, 2010-present, President, 2021-present, Vice President, 2019-2021, Treasurer, 2017-2019; Member, 2006-present; Editor of Monthly Newsletter, 2014-2021
YPO Southern 7 Chapter, North Carolina Spouse Chair, 2018-2020
Carolina Law Alumni Association, Board of Directors, 2011-2017
Children's Theatre of Charlotte, Immediate Past Chair, 2016-2017; Board Chair, 2013-2016; Human Resources Committee Chair, 2011-2012; Board of Directors, 2006-2017; Advisory Committee, 2018-present
The Schiele Museum of Natural History & Planetarium, Board of Trustees, Jan. 2017-present
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Art Commission, Counsel, 2004-present
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, Board of Visitors, 2010-present
Girl Scouts of America, Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont Council, Leader, 2016-present
Mint Museum Auxiliary, Member, 2015-present
First Presbyterian Church Gastonia, Deacon, 2015-2018; Personnel Committee, 2015-2018
Leadership Gaston, Class of 2012
Top of the Week Rotary Club, President, 2007-2008, Membership Chair, 2008-2009
Chief Justice William H. Bobbitt American Inn of Court, President, 2006-2007
Mecklenburg County Bar, Local Rules Committee, 2007-2008
Arts & Science Council, Cultural Leadership Training (CLT) Program Participant, 2005-2006

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