James R. Richards.
The overview.
Jim works with clients to help refine their goals and develop a clear path toward achieving them — whether that involves internal succession planning, a business transition, a sale or purchase, or longer-term strategic planning.
- Family and internal transitions of businesses
- Sales and purchases of businesses
- Internal succession planning
- Business formation and structuring
Jim's approach is collaborative and team-oriented. He helps assemble the right group of professionals for each client's needs — attorneys, accountants, financial advisors, business valuation experts — so that every aspect of the transition or transaction is handled thoughtfully and cohesively.
He enjoys finding creative ways to help clients achieve their objectives. That client-focused mindset is a major reason he chose this area of practice and continues to find fulfillment in helping individuals and businesses navigate important decisions and challenges.
About James’s practiceJim grew up in Lynchburg. Away from the office you'll find him woodworking, gardening, playing tennis, reading, writing, and spending time with his kids and grandkids.
Experience
Forty years of Virginia business practice — built on a foundation of real-world operational experience that started long before law school.
Head of the corporate team. Jim is the quarterback of the practice — pulling in the right people for the right tasks across the firm's business, transactional, and estate-planning work.
- Davidson, Sakolosky & Richards — Lynchburg, VA — Partner
- Jones, Blechman, Woltz & Kelly — Newport News, VA
Jim's earlier experience in retail, warehousing, and at a shipyard gave him practical insight into how businesses and production operations function on a day-to-day level. That firsthand exposure helps him better understand the operational and business realities his clients face.
Recognition & Involvement
- Lynchburg Business Magazine — Top Lawyers of Greater Lynchburg for Business Law and Wills, Trusts & Estates (2016–2025)
- Lynchburg Living Magazine — Top Lawyers of Greater Lynchburg for Wills, Trusts & Estates (2016–2020; 2026)
- Virginia State Bar
- Virginia Bar Association
- Lynchburg Bar Association
- Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance — Past Chairman
- Spring Hill Cemetery Association — Board (Lifetime Member)
- Past service on the boards of numerous other community organizations
Publications & Speaking
Selected writing & speaking.
James's contributions to PLDR Law and speaking record will be listed here as content publishes.
About James’s Practice
"He likes to think of himself as the quarterback of the team — pulling in the right people for the right tasks. Attorneys, accountants, financial advisors, business valuation experts. Every aspect of the transition handled thoughtfully and cohesively."
Areas of focus
The practice.
Jim leads PLDR's corporate practice. His clients are small and closely held businesses — the work runs from business formation through family and internal transitions of businesses, sales and purchases of businesses, and the related estate-planning work that supports a clean succession.
In the office
Get to know James Richards.
Talk with James
When it's the next phase of the business — call Jim.
Whether you're forming the company, selling it, passing it down, or growing it — Jim's office will help you map a clear path forward and pull in the right people to walk it with you.