James A. W. Balli is a partner at Sams, Larkin & Huff and is admitted to the State Bar of Georgia (1999) and the State Bar of Alabama (2000).  In addition to all trial level courts in Georgia and Alabama, Mr. Balli is admitted to practice before the Georgia Supreme Court, the Georgia Court of Appeals, the Alabama Supreme Court and the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals.  Mr. Balli is also admitted to practice law in the United States District Court for the Middle and Northern Districts of Georgia, the Middle District of Alabama, the Armed Forces Board of Contract Appeals and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (GA, AL, FL). 

Mr. Balli is an experienced litigator representing clients in federal and state litigation throughout the trial and appellate courts of Georgia and Alabama, including the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.  Early in his career, Mr. Balli gained experience in the area of governmental liability successfully representing the Georgia Department of Corrections and the Georgia Department of Human Resources in numerous federal and state litigation actions.  Mr. Balli also has significant experience representing Counties and Municipalities in challenges to various ordinances and regulatory actions.  Mr. Balli now regularly represents corporations and individuals in local government issues from permitting, zoning and development to ordinance challenges and direct governmental liability.  Mr. Balli also represents numerous clients and companies in commercial litigation, insurance coverage claims, land acquisition, contract disputes and general civil litigation. 

In addition to governmental liability and regulatory experience, Mr. Balli has previously represented numerous insurance companies in coverage disputes and personal injury defense.  Utilizing the knowledge gained while defending insurance companies, Mr. Balli now actively represents personal injury plaintiffs in catastrophic injury and wrongful death claims throughout the Southeast.  Representing the plaintiff, Mr. Balli has recovered verdicts and settlements for clients ranging from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars. 

Mr. Balli is also a veteran of the United States Air Force and was attached to the 908th Air Wing (AFRC) located at Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama.  Receiving an honorable discharge from the Air Force, a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a law degree, Mr. Balli became active in state and local politics working in various campaigns both as staff and as legal counsel.  Mr. Balli is now a registered lobbyist representing corporate and individual clients in the area of governmental relations.

Sample of reported opinions:

Henry et al. v. Cherokee County, Georgia, 290 Ga. App. 355 (2008).

Dep't of Human Resources v. Nation, 265 Ga. App. 434 (2004).

Ashmore et al. v. J.P. Thayer Co., Inc., 303 F.Supp.2^nd 1359 (M.D. Ga. 2004).

Thomas v. City of Columbus, Georgia, 198 F.Supp.2^nd 1360 (M.D. Ga. 2002).

Prescott v. Builders' Transport, Inc., 251 Ga. App. 280 (2001).