Biography
James Skinner serves as trusted private counsel to Texas landowners, business owners, and families, guiding clients through their most significant transactions and long-term planning decisions. His practice is centered on protecting and growing the assets that matter most—land, businesses, and family legacies. Whether negotiating a multimillion-dollar energy development, structuring the purchase or sale of commercial real estate, advising a growing business, or designing a sophisticated estate plan, James provides practical, strategic counsel tailored to each client’s objectives. James has built a distinguished practice representing landowners in renewable energy and traditional oil and gas development throughout Texas. He advises clients through every stage of a project, negotiating wind, solar, battery storage, transmission, pipeline, and oil and gas agreements while protecting both surface and mineral interests. His approach focuses on ensuring clients understand the long-term legal and financial implications of complex energy transactions so they can make informed decisions with confidence.
A substantial portion of James’s practice also involves the acquisition, sale, and development of commercial and rural real estate. He represents buyers, sellers, developers, investors, and landowners in the purchase and sale of ranches, farms, commercial properties, and investment assets. From negotiating purchase agreements and conducting due diligence to coordinating financing and closing, James helps clients successfully navigate complex real estate transactions.
As outside general counsel to entrepreneurs and closely held businesses, James advises clients through every stage of the business lifecycle, including entity formation, governance, acquisitions, financing, commercial transactions, and succession planning. He develops long-term relationships with business owners, providing practical legal guidance that supports growth while managing risk. James also works with individuals, families, and business owners to create sophisticated estate plans that preserve wealth, protect family-owned assets, and ensure smooth transitions across generations. His estate planning practice is designed to integrate seamlessly with his clients’ business and real estate holdings, providing comprehensive strategies that reflect their personal and financial goals.
A graduate of Texas Tech University School of Law, James has been licensed to practice in Texas since 2013 and was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court in 2025. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Psychology from Austin College, a background that complements his practical, client-focused approach to communication, negotiation, and problem solving. Originally from Dallas, James lives in San Angelo, Texas, where he remains active in the community. Outside of his practice, he enjoys spending time with his children, traveling, hiking, and the outdoors.