Biography:
Jim Slaughter is the Managing Partner of Law Firm Carolinas. His practice focuses on homeowner and condominium association law, related litigation and mediation, and parliamentary law and procedure. Based in Greensboro, he advises community associations throughout North Carolina and provides professional parliamentarian services to organizations across the country.
Jim helps association boards and community managers address governing documents, amendments, covenant enforcement, assessments, meetings, elections, and disputes. His work combines practical guidance on ongoing operations with representation when negotiation, mediation, or litigation is needed. He has authored hundreds of articles on HOA and condominium issues and regularly teaches programs for attorneys, board members, and community managers.
Jim was the first attorney in the Carolinas inducted as a Fellow of the College of Community Association Lawyers and served as its national President in 2014. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers and a past President of the North Carolina Chapter of the Community Associations Institute. His background includes service as a North Carolina real estate broker since 1982 and a Certified Superior Court Mediator since 1994.
In 2024, Jim received CAI’s Don Buck Lifetime Contribution Award, recognizing his contributions to community association law and service to the industry. He was also the first North Carolina attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the category of Community Association Law.
Jim maintains a national parliamentary law and procedure practice. He is a Certified Professional Parliamentarian-Teacher, a Professional Registered Parliamentarian, and a past President of the American College of Parliamentary Lawyers. He advises presiding officers, governing boards, membership organizations, and conventions on meeting procedure, Bylaws, elections, and governance questions.
His parliamentary experience includes service to national labor unions, professional societies, educational organizations, and other large membership associations. Organizations he has served include the AFL-CIO, National Education Association, American Federation of Teachers, American Nurses Association, and numerous other national associations. He assists with meeting preparation and provides procedural guidance during board meetings, membership meetings, and large multiday conventions.
Jim has authored four books on association meeting procedure. These include Robert’s Rules of Order Fast Track, a practical guide to commonly used motions and effective meetings, and Notes and Comments on Robert’s Rules, Fifth Edition, for which he is the lead author. Both books were selected as Editors’ Picks by Publishers Weekly. Free charts, articles, and meeting guides are available at jimslaughter.com.
Jim joined Law Firm Carolinas in 2001. His professional and community service has included leadership in legal, civic, charitable, and religious organizations. His recognitions include the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, a 2016 Leaders in the Law honor, and selection to North Carolina Lawyers Weekly’s inaugural class of NC Legal Icons in 2023.
Contact Jim Slaughter
Contact Law Firm Carolinas to discuss an HOA or condominium association matter or inquire about Jim’s parliamentary procedure, meeting, or mediation services. Please include the association or organization’s name, the type of matter, its location, and any approaching meeting dates or deadlines.
Areas of Practice:
- Homeowner & Condominium Association Law
- Community Association Mediation
- Real Estate Litigation
- Business Litigation
- Parliamentary Law & Procedure
- Nonprofit Governance & Meeting Procedure
Education:
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, J.D.
- Honors and activities included the Order of the Barristers, Holderness Moot Court Bench, National Moot Court Team, and National Trial Competition Team.
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A., with Highest Honors
- Honors included Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Eta Sigma, and selection as a Harry S. Truman Scholar.
Admissions:
- North Carolina State Bar
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- Supreme Court of the United States
Certifications & Credentials:
- Fellow, College of Community Association Lawyers
- Fellow, American College of Real Estate Lawyers
- Certified Professional Parliamentarian-Teacher, American Institute of Parliamentarians
- Professional Registered Parliamentarian, National Association of Parliamentarians
- Certified Superior Court Mediator, since 1994
- North Carolina Real Estate Broker, since 1982
- AV Preeminent rating, Martindale-Hubbell
Experience & Leadership:
- Joined Law Firm Carolinas in 2001; serves as firm President
- President, College of Community Association Lawyers, 2014; Board of Governors, 2010–2015
- President, North Carolina Chapter of the Community Associations Institute, 2016; Board of Directors, 2010–2016
- Past President, American College of Parliamentary Lawyers
- Service on the North Carolina Bar Association Community Associations Committee beginning with its inception
- Distinguished Faculty, Community Association Law Seminar
- Professional parliamentarian services for national associations, governing boards, and conventions
- Author of hundreds of articles on community association issues
- Author, Robert’s Rules of Order Fast Track
- Author, Notes and Comments on Robert’s Rules, Fifth Edition
Professional Affiliations:
- American Inns of Court, Master
- Greensboro Bar Association, past Director and Treasurer
- North Carolina Bar Association
- Community Associations Institute
- American College of Real Estate Lawyers
- College of Community Association Lawyers
- American College of Parliamentary Lawyers
- American Institute of Parliamentarians
- National Association of Parliamentarians
- United States Supreme Court Bar
Honors & Recognitions:
- Don Buck Lifetime Contribution Award, Community Associations Institute, 2024
- NC Legal Icons, inaugural class, North Carolina Lawyers Weekly, 2023
- Leaders in the Law, North Carolina Lawyers Weekly, 2016
- Order of the Long Leaf Pine
- Recognition by Best Lawyers in Community Association Law
- Named to “Legal Elite” by Business North Carolina
- Herb Falk Society recognition for pro bono service, Greensboro Bar Association
- Eagle Scout with three palms, Boy Scouts of America
Civic & Community Involvement:
Jim’s civic and community service has included the following roles:
- President, Greensboro Historical Museum
- Chairman, National Conference for Community & Justice, Piedmont Triad
- Stated Clerk and Elder, First Presbyterian Church
- Board Member, Crescent Rotary Club
- Chairman, North Carolina Democratic Party Council of Review
- Chairman, Ethics Committee, American Institute of Parliamentarians
- Chairman, Ethics Committee, National Association of Parliamentarians
- Member, Governor’s Crime Commission
- President, Young Democrats of North Carolina
- Chairman, North Carolina State Youth Council
- Vice Chairman, North Carolina Youth Advisory Council
- Member, Juvenile Law Study Commission
- Member, North Carolina Progress Board
