Shewmaker & Shewmaker Team

Background

From 1968 until 1972 Jim served as a line officer in the United States Navy on two different destroyers, becoming the Weapons Department Head on his second ship and also qualifying as an Officer of the Deck. Both ships on which Jim served had a primary mission to conduct anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations in the Mediterranean and all parts of the Atlantic. His first destroyer received the Meritorious Unit Citation for ASW operations in the North Atlantic, and his second ship, on which he was the Weapons Officer, received the Battle Efficiency ‘E’ for the squadron.

In 1972, Jim left active duty to attend law school and graduate business school at the prestigious University of Virginia. In 1978, Jim received his MBA and his law degree. While at UVA, James transitioned into the Naval Reserve Intelligence Program where he served for the next 25 years. Jim commanded four (4) intelligence units and served as the National Chief of Staff for the Naval Reserve Intelligence Program. Jim completed his naval career after serving 331 days in OPERATION SOUTHERN WATCH in 1996 and 1997, where he served as the Assistant Director for Intelligence. Jim has received many military awards over his distinguished military career, culminating with the Legion of Merit.

Upon completion of studies at UVA, Jim moved to Atlanta and began his career as an attorney. Since 2012, Jim has focused much of his practice on representing Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen in administrative matters such as discharge upgrade review boards and applications to boards for correction of military records. Jim has been a Member of the State Bar of Georgia since 1978 and regularly practices as a registered mediator and arbitrator in domestic and business cases. Jim has also been hand-picked by judges to serve as Special Master in complex litigation matters in Atlanta.