James M. Griffin
Member Attorney
- Phone (803) 744-0800
- Fax (803) 744-0805
- Email jgriffin@griffinhumphries.com
Biography
Jim Griffin is an accomplished trial lawyer and healthcare lawyer. Jim has more than 35 years of experience representing clients in civil and criminal courts at the federal and state level and representing healthcare providers in some of the most challenging of legal matters. In his criminal practice, Jim has been the lead trial counsel in many high-profile cases which have received extensive media coverage.
Jim was a lead trial attorney representing Alex Murdaugh, who was charged with murdering his wife and son on their family hunting preserve. The Murdaugh trial received unprecedented national and international coverage and captivated millions of viewers for over six (6) weeks. Jim has been featured in two docu-series about the Murdaugh case, Low Country-the Murdaugh Dynasty on HBO Max and The Fall of the House of Murdaugh, on Fox Nation and he was portrayed in at least two movies about the case.
He has extensive experience representing clients charged with federal crimes, such as mail and wire fraud, healthcare fraud, mortgage and securities fraud, public corruption, government contractor and procurement fraud, and criminal tax charges. He represents medical doctors, nurses, dentists, and other licensed professionals charged with administrative violations.
In his healthcare practice, Jim has been at the forefront of legal challenges facing healthcare providers. Most recently, Jim obtained an unprecedented ruling under the 340B drug discount program enjoining HRSA from enforcing its definition of the term “patient,” which contradicted the plain language of the statute, according to the federal district court’s decision. Genesis Health Care, Inc. v. Becerra, 2023 WL 7549156 (Nov. 3 2023). He was trial and appellate counsel for Tuomey Hospital in the landmark Stark/False Claims Act case, Drakeford v. Tuomey Hospital, 792 F.3d 364 (4th Cir. 2015). Jim also successfully challenged South Carolina’s Medicaid payment practices on behalf of a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center, Genesis Health Care, Inc. v. Soura, 2017 WL 698610 (US Dist. SC 2017).
Jim has extensive experience in False Claims Act litigation on behalf of both whistleblowers and defendants in cases alleging violations of Stark and the Anti-Kickback Act, as well as upcoding and other billing improprieties. He has also arbitrated disputes between physicians and hospitals before the American Healthcare Lawyers Association.
In 2018, Jim was honored by the South Carolina Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates as the “Trial Lawyer of the Year.” South Carolina Super Lawyers® has recognized him for more than twenty (20) years for his work as a defense attorney. He has always maintained an AV Preeminent rating for the highest level of professional excellence by Martindale Hubbell.
Jim produces a weekly podcast named The Presumption with Los Angeles based media analyst and criminal defense attorney Sara Azari. Sara and Jim provide listeners and viewers with in-depth analysis of the riveting criminal cases that make headlines and those that should make headlines. He has also appeared on Good Morning America, the Today Show, Fox News, and News Nation providing legal commentary.
- Wake Forest University, Cum Laude, Bachelor of Arts in economics, 1984
- University of South Carolina School of Law (Law Review, Order of Coif, Order of Wig and Robe, Student Honor Council), Juris Doctor, 1987
- South Carolina, since 1987
- U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina, 1987
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, 1989
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1998
- United States Court of Federal Claims, 2009
- American Association For Justice
- National Association of Criminal Defenses Lawyers
- South Carolina Association for Justice
- American Board of Trial Advocates, inducted January 2016
- Law Clerk, United States District Court Judge, Honorable Dennis W. Shedd-1990-1992
- Assistant United States Attorney, District of South Carolina-1992-1994
- Private Practice-1987-1990 and 1995 to present
- Co-host of The Presumption Podcast
The Presumption is the official podcast of high-profile criminal defense attorney and media personality Sara Azari and acclaimed criminal trial lawyer Jim Griffin. With over 55 years of aggregate courtroom experience in state and federal courts from coast to coast, Sara and Jim provide listeners and viewers with in-depth analysis of the riveting criminal cases that make headlines and those that should make headlines. The podcast will explore the role and impact of media on the presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial, as well as the forgotten disease of mental illness and addiction in crime. Episodes will present an important conversation between the hosts and/or in-depth interviews with high profile figures in criminal justice, as well as newsmakers and other influential figures. - North Carolina Bar 2024 Criminal Justice Section Annual Program: The Murdaugh Trial Experience
- “Sentencing Strategies in Federal Court,” S.C. Association For Justice, Annual Meeting, 2009
- “Effective Use of Polygraphs,” S.C. Bar Criminal Hot Tips, 2003
- “Selecting and Using Expert Witnesses in Federal Court,” BRI, 2003
- “Civil Litigation-Defense,” S.C. Bar “Bridge the Gap,” 2002
- “Securities Fraud Prosecutions,” White Collar Crimes Symposium, SC Bar CLE 1995
- Genesis Healthcare, Inc. v. Becerra, 39 F.4th 253, 255 (4th Cir. 2022)
- Genesis Health Care, Inc. v. Becerra, No. 4:19-CV-01531-RBH, 2023 WL 7549156 (D.S.C. Nov. 3, 2023)
- U.S. ex rel. Drakeford v. Tuomey, 792 F.3d 364, 378 (4th Cir. 2015)
- S.C. Pub. Int. Found. v. Wilson, 437 S.C. 334, 878 S.E.2d 891 (2022)
- Brooker v. Brooker, No. 2021-000330, 2024 WL 2050375 (S.C. Ct. App. May 8, 2024)
- Brandt v. Ozmint, 664 F. Supp. 2d 626, 629 (D.S.C. 2009), aff’d. Brandt v. Gooding, 636 F.3d 124 (4th Cir. 2011)
Disclaimer: The preceding examples are intended only to be representative of past experiences practicing law. These examples are not intended, and cannot be relied upon, to predict results in any other case.
