James A. Washburn

Competent and knowledgeable, but communication could improve

I engaged James Washburn at Nelson Mullins for a complex dispute involving a government subcontractor. His background in commercial litigation and specific recognition in government contracts was a primary reason for our selection. James demonstrated a solid grasp of the legal intricacies involved, and his analysis of our contractual obligations was thorough. His education and experience at a firm of this caliber were evident in the quality of the legal documents prepared. However, the experience was not without its frustrations. While the ultimate legal strategy was sound, there were periods where communication was less than ideal. Responses to emails sometimes took several days, and updates on case developments often felt reactive rather than proactive. For a client navigating a stressful litigation process, this created some unnecessary anxiety. His expertise is not in question—he clearly knows this area of law and the recognition from Best Lawyers is well-deserved for his technical skill. Yet, the client service aspect, particularly in managing expectations and maintaining a consistent dialogue, felt merely adequate. He successfully resolved our matter, but the process required more client-side follow-up than I would have preferred from an attorney with his profile.