“We are mission-driven and not profit-driven,” says James “Jamie” White, real estate lawyer. “The primary creed that drives our business is that it belongs to God. That’s why profits made by the firm fund charitable work, including providing clean water wells in underdeveloped countries around the world through a nonprofit my wife, Lisa, and I established called Water Lily International. Our motivation is to serve others.  We live this out daily by providing excellent customer service to all our clients. Not many firms operate in this manner.” 

Jamie is the youngest of eight siblings and grew up surrounded by the legal industry, but he didn’t necessarily view it as his future. “My father was an attorney, my brother is an attorney, and I was basically raised to think like an attorney.” After earning a degree in history from Indiana University, Jamie realized he did not have a passion for any particular career path in any specific direction. “So, my father suggested I go to law school,” says Jamie. “I took the law school exam and did quite well, so I enrolled in the [then] John Marshall Law School, which was right across the street from my father’s law firm where I worked during school.” 

Upon completion of law school, he joined his father’s firm, and later became a partner. He worked there for nine years until he decided it was time to spread his wings and start something new. Jamie joined a home-building company as general counsel and vice president, helping it grow from four to over thirty employees in just four years. 

“I was responsible for developing all the programs for the company as well as drafting the various sales contracts and subcontractor agreements, so when it comes to representing clients who are purchasing new construction, I am very knowledgeable,” says Jamie. 

When the company was acquired by a giant national home-building firm, Jamie went back into private practice, working for a year in a firm that concentrated on zoning and land use. Then, he opened his own office, which he has now run for twenty-three years. The Law Office of James F. White, P.C. completes hundreds of real estate transactions annually, representing buyers and sellers. They also provide estate planning and land use services. 

Jamie’s mission-driven approach is heavily influenced by his desire to be generous. “It’s one of my spiritual gifts. I was challenged to believe what the Bible says: that everything belongs to God.” Jamie knew he wanted to operate his business differently than other firms, and he has built in several strategies to help his office live out that difference.

“Our staff, including myself, are all on a fixed salary,” notes Jamie. “The better the firm does, the more generous I can be—the more people we can help, spiritually and physically.”

Jamie’s service-first mindset extends into all of his professional relationships with REALTORS® and other colleagues, and most certainly, with his clients. He knows that many buyers and sellers find the transaction process intimidating, so his team is always looking for ways to ease their anxiety throughout the experience.

“Our approach is ‘Every deal is our deal, too,’ so we are personally invested in every step of the transaction and to seeing it through,” says Jamie. “We have a well-seasoned staff that relies on teamwork. Because of our many years’ experience in the industry, we can be a valuable part of a REALTOR’S® team, handling many of the tasks for them and for their clients.”

When not serving his clients and partners, Jamie winds down with his large family. Like his own family growing up, Jamie and Lisa have eight children, including two sets of twins. Together they enjoy traveling, leading church mission trips, and giving back to their community. On many weekends, you’ll also find Jamie sneaking away to enjoy his favorite sport: Formula 1 racing. Although it’s a hobby, he has found ways to apply its discipline into the principles of his business.

“I worked on a racing crew for eight years as well as on race cars, and I learned how important it is to pay attention to the details, all of them, and to follow through on the process,” Jamie says.

“But I’m a title geek, too,” he confesses. “I love doing my own title searches, and I have even earned a reputation with title companies that when I raise an issue, they generally agree with me.”

Jamie’s mission-driven mindset extends to his view of success. For him, it is “when I can provide for my family, and the families of my staff, with an abundance to make a real difference in the world.” And as he looks to the future, Jamie’s passion for integrity will unquestionably continue to benefit his clients and community and be of great assurance to his colleagues.