Hon. James U. Downs - Hickory, NC
Attorney at Sigmon, Clark, Mackie, Hanvey & Ferrell, P.A.
General Civil Trial Practice Lawyers in Hickory, NC
250 Second Avenue SW Hickory, NC 28602
Hickory General Civil Trial Practice Lawyer
Updated: 03/10/2026
Areas of Practice
- General Civil Trial Practice
- Eminent Domain
- Wills (Caveats)
- Contract Disputes
- Personal Injury
Attorney Information
Overview
James Uriah Downs, sometimes known as Jud Downs (born September 15, 1941), is a retired senior resident superior court judge whose jurisdiction included five counties of District 30A in the 8th Judicial Division of western North Carolina. He was appointed to the court in 1983 by then Governor James B. Hunt. After his original appointment to the court, Judge Downs was elected to the bench four times without opposition.
After Downs retired from the bench in 2013, he returned to the private practice of law. In the spring of 2014, he joined the law firm of Sigmon, Clark, Mackie, Hanvey, and Ferrell in Hickory in Catawba County. He also maintains an office in Franklin.
His practice areas are eminent domain, wills, trusts, property disputes, and civil trial litigation.
Education
-
Legal Education
-
Loyola University New Orleans College of Law,
New Orleans,
Louisiana
J.D.
-
Loyola University New Orleans College of Law,
New Orleans,
Louisiana
-
Non Legal Education
-
Virginia Military Institute
B.A.
Major: History
-
Virginia Military Institute
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Of Counsel
Past Positions
- Superior Court Judge 30th Judicial District, 1983 - 2013
Bar Admissions
- North Carolina, 1971
- Louisiana, 1966
Other Affiliations
- Catawba County Bar Association, NC State Bar (Member)
- 30th Judicial Bar Association (Member)
Contact
250 Second Avenue SW
Hickory, NC 28602
Phone: 828-597-0533
Fax: 828-328-6876
Email: Send a message
Website: https://www.sigmonclark.com
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