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James F. Goodwin

James represents for-profit and non-profit clients in the development of affordable multifamily housing projects, including projects financed through low-income housing tax credits. He assists clients in obtaining multifamily project financing from federal and federally-assisted sources, including HUD-insured loans and loan modifications, the HOME Investment Partnerships program, and multifamily loan programs administered by USDA-Rural Development and the Federal Home Loan Bank.

James also advises multifamily property managers on a range of topics, including reasonable accommodation and modification requests, assistance animals, and other Fair Housing Act issues. He helps clients keep their properties in compliance with HUD regulations and requirements imposed by state housing finance agencies. In the course of his representation, he prepares and reviews property management documents such as tenant selection plans, criminal screening policies, management agreements, and residential leases.

Prior to attending law school, James worked as a staff archaeologist for cultural resource management firms in Maryland and North Carolina. His work focused on identifying and protecting archaeological sites to ensure compliance with state and federal law. He conducted archaeological surveys, supervised excavations, and authored several reports summarizing his research and providing recommendations for the management of threatened sites.

James received his undergraduate degree from the College of William and Mary. He attended law school at Wake Forest University, where he served as Research Editor for the Wake Forest Law Review. He also holds a master’s degree in archaeology from the University of Cambridge in England.

James is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association, the Forsyth County Bar Association, and the American Bar Association.

Practice Areas

  • Affordable Housing and Community Development

Education

  • B.A., College of William and Mary, cum laude, 2005
  • M.Phil, University of Cambridge, 2006
  • J.D., Wake Forest University School of Law, cum laude, 2014; Order of the Coif; Research Editor, Wake Forest Law Review

Bar Admissions

  • North Carolina, 2014
  • Virginia, 2021

Professional & Civic Activities

  • American Bar Association Forum on Affordable Housing and Community Development
  • Southeastern Affordable Housing Management Association
  • Carolinas Council for Affordable Housing
  • Messiah Moravian Church