James D. Concepcion

James D. (Bert) Concepcion joined the NC Eminent Domain Law Firm in 2025. His experience across diverse legal areas brings a blend of perspectives to his practice, and his commitment to fairness, honesty, and ethical representation makes him a strong advocate for his clients.

Born and raised in Charlotte, Bert has deep roots in the community he still lives near and serves. As a child, he inherited his love of baseball from his father, a professional player, and went on to letter in the sport for four years at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Determined to embark on a career that would make a positive impact on others, Bert earned his law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law.

A Diverse Legal Background

Bert’s legal career is marked by a willingness to embrace new challenges and a dedication to public service. He began his career handling criminal defense cases as a public defender before transitioning to corporate and bankruptcy law representing individuals and companies in federal and state court. Prior to delving into eminent domain, Bert also represented clients for many years in matters of personal injury, workers’ compensation, and contracts law.

In addition to his responsibilities as a civilian attorney, Bert served as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer with the Army for more than two decades. In this capacity, he provided legal assistance to thousands of soldiers deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan, conducted Army investigations and briefings, provided legal support on operational law, administrative law, military justice, and contract law, and managed legal staff.

His military career also included seven years of active duty in the Carolinas and Iraq. He completed the United States Army Airborne School at the age of 43.

Embracing Eminent Domain

Prior to joining the firm, Bert served as an attorney for five years at the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and then for another five years at the City of Charlotte, where he gained extensive experience in eminent domain law and a deep understanding of how the government approaches and handles eminent domain matters. Bert is keenly aware of the potential disadvantages faced by property owners and fights to ensure that his clients are treated and compensated fairly.

Senior attorney Kevin Mahoney stated, “Skilled eminent domain attorneys in North Carolina with experience representing the NCDOT and a major municipality are rare and have a powerful insider perspective. Bert possesses an abundance of experience and knowledge. He knows how condemnors approach eminent domain, and he uses that knowledge to assist landowners in North Carolina seeking just compensation.”

Overall, Bert’s eminent domain experience is characterized by his work for “the other side” on behalf of government entities, his understanding of the eminent domain process, and a commitment to use his inside experience to help property owners.

Personal Interests

Outside of his legal work, Bert continues to love sports and focusing on his family. He also enjoys traveling with his wife, visiting destinations such as London, Key West, and Disney World.