In Memoriam: Past President James B. Maxwell
James B. (Jim) Maxwell of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, died Jan. 4 at the age of 84. He moved from Durham in 2016 to be near family following retirement. Maxwell served as president of the North Carolina Bar Association and Foundation in 2000-01. He graduated from Randolph-Macon College, attended Duke University School of Law and later founded the Durham law firm of Maxwell, Freeman and Bowman PA.
During his tenure as NCBA president, Maxwell encouraged every NCBA section, division and committee to develop a public service or pro bono project. Maxwell led by example throughout his career and was recognized nationally for his volunteer involvement in high school athletics. A 2010 inductee into the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s Hall of Fame, Maxwell served as the NCHSAA’s legal counsel for many years and coached the Jordan High School boys’ and girls’ swim teams for 29 years, earning five state championships.
In addition to leading the NCBA, Maxwell served as president of the N.C. Academy of Trial Lawyers (now North Carolina Advocates for Justice) and was the first person to serve as president of both NCBA and NCAJ. Maxwell also served as board chair of Legal Aid of North Carolina and on the board of Lawyers Mutual Insurance. A celebration of life service will be held in North Carolina later this year.