Today we’d like to introduce you to W. James Moore.
Hi W. James, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My professional story starts at the University of Florida in 1979. My folks sent me to U of F for an education and I chose U of F to start an R&B/Funk band! The band was “MAGIC”. That was the actual name of our nine member band, MAGIC. I was lead singer and played guitar. We were destined to be the next Commodores, or so we thought. Glad that I had a fall back plan and did complete my Bachelors degree from Florida’s acclaimed School of Journalism and Communication. I planned to be an on-air personality in either radio or TV.
Other than a non-paid on-air position with WONE, a cable radio station in Gainesville, Florida, I wasn’t able to break into radio or tv. With options limited, I packed everything I owned in my 1981 Pontiac Firebird and moved to Atlanta to pursue my music. But, with a need to pay the bills, I ended up selling cars. Within a year I was promoted to Assistant Used Car Sales Manager! This was not a part of my plan.
At this point, a good friend and fraternity brother shared that Georgia State University had a new law school. Law school? I hadn’t thought about law school since my high school English teacher, Mrs. Sutton, told me to consider being a lawyer. It was summer of 1985 that I learned of the new law school and so I called the law school and the administrator asked if I had taken the LSAT. In my mind I was saying, “what’s an LSAT?” It was the law school admissions test. She advised that the test was being offered in three weeks and that I needed to take the test. I took the test and scored well enough to be admitted into law law Fall 1985.
While in law school, I was still recording my songs and praying my music career would take off. Also, while in law school, I met another law student from New Jersey and learned that he had worked in radio and had produced a few records. This law student, Marc D. Hawthorne would become my law partner.
In 1991, we formed MOORE & HAWTHORNE, LLC with the goal of establishing an entertainment law practice. By the mid-90’s, MOORE & HAWTHORNE (“M&H”) would be one of the top entertainment law practices in the state. Representing notable artists such as, Usher, OUTKAST, and Keith Sweat to name a few. I was finally in the music business!
I soon learned that the business of music was quite different from making music. In 2003, Attorney Hawthorne and I decided to hang up the entertainment law practice and focus on civil litigation and personal injury law. Finally, in the courtroom, I could be on stage again in front of an audience (the jury). For the past twenty years, we have represented thousands of clients and recovered millions of dollars for injury victims. With offices in Atlanta, Athens and Valdosta, the firm is continuing to grow.
Like most, my story does not follow a straight-line path. But, instead was filled with curves, obstacles and downright failure. But, I wouldn’t change a thing. All the turns have lead me exactly to where I am today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
MOORE & HAWTHORNE – Injury Attorneys is an Atlanta based personal injury law firm with offices also in Athens and Valdosta.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Most do not know that I still play guitar and piano and have written over 100 songs.
Pricing:
- Our fees are contingent, meaning you don’t pay, unless we recover for you!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mooreandhawthornelaw.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/attorney_jamesmoore
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mooreandhawthornelaw/
