We have over thirty years of experience as strategic and corporate counsel for a variety of domestic and foreign clients.

Our business clients include leaders in hospitality, real estate development, the equine industry, and industrial businesses. We guide each of them through the varied legal, regulatory, and governmental issues they confront. As part of our strategic approach to meeting our clients’ needs, we have a European office for the seamless representation of foreign companies expanding into the Carolinas. To support our foreign investment and economic development clients, we integrate our office in Italy and our extensive network of business, tax, accounting, and economic development professionals. As a result, our clients receive coordinated services from a single firm and avoid hiring and managing a series of disjointed consultants. This saves them time, money, and organizational energy.

Our firm’s strength lies in providing trusted legal advice and action for clients who are working hard to build a successful future for their business and family.

We are one of the few firms in the region focused on the specific legal needs of equestrian-related businesses, horse owners, professional horsemen, and event organizers.

The Carolinas are home to some of the most vibrant equestrian communities in the nation, featuring world-class international event venues, local horse shows, rodeos, and hunts. The region boasts an abundance of major commercial and residential development, small hobby farms, and other equestrian-related investments.

Jim Ritchie is an avid horseman and understands the challenges of horse owners, breeders, barn operators, event organizers, trainers, and other equestrian professionals. He has an authentic appreciation of their issues and guides his clients through important, and often very personal, equine legal matters.

Jim Ritchie

Jim Ritchie is a highly experienced attorney who is licensed to practice in North Carolina and South Carolina. He brings a depth of knowledge across multiple areas, along with over thirty years of legal and public policy experience to the firm.

Concurrent with his professional career, Jim served in the South Carolina Senate for eight years and as Majority Whip for the last four years of his tenure. He earned a strong reputation for marshaling support for key initiatives and effectively negotiating with members of both parties to find common ground. His counsel remains in high demand today as he regularly advises clients, lawmakers, and state agency leaders on pressing public policy matters.

Giorgia Falzone

Avvocato Giorgia Falzone serves as the Italian representative of Ritchie & Associates, managing all transactional services for the firm from an Italian and EU perspective. Based in Rome, she offers counsel in employment law, employee disciplinary sanctions, transfers, job changes, layoffs, and the financial aspects of employment and social security. Giorgia also represents clients in negotiation, litigation, and hearings throughout Italy.