Attorney Jarvis Harris

Jarvis T. Harris joined the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin in 2023 as a seasoned attorney with years of experience in workers’ compensation, personal injury, and Social Security Disability law. He is a thoughtful, compassionate individual who considers it a responsibility and honor to advocate for North Carolinians.

Growing Up in Eastern NC

Jarvis was born and raised in Kinston, a city known for producing outstanding Eastern NC barbeque and exceptional basketball players. He lived with his mother and grandmother and credits them with helping him develop a strong work ethic, independence, and sense of duty to give back to the community. His grandmother challenged him daily to not only have “book sense” but “common sense” as well – a lesson he took to heart.

James Scott Farrin Partner Doug Berger coached the NC Quiz Bowl team at Jarvis’s school and recalls how Jarvis often gave up his lunchtime to practice for the competition.

Doug also spotted a tenaciousness and drive in the teenager which was demonstrated when he took Jarvis and two classmates to an exhibition game when the Chicago Bulls came to the Dean Dome. Jarvis was the only one of the three who managed to make it into the crowded interview room – and score a conversation and autograph from his idol, Michael Jordan.

As a teen, Jarvis was a committed and academically strong student. In high school, he was selected to attend Governor’s School West of North Carolina for Spanish, a language he still speaks and is always trying to improve in.

Jarvis then joined the Tar Heel ranks and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on full academic scholarship as a Joseph E. Pogue Scholarship recipient. Jarvis became a North Carolina Fellow and received the MLK, Jr. Award while at UNC. He majored in Political Science and graduated with honors.

Jarvis remembers becoming aware of racial disparities as early as middle school, and he believes this was when the idea of becoming a lawyer began to take seed. He understood firsthand the realities of having to budget in order to pay bills, and he knew that this empathy would drive him as he fought to protect the rights of others.

Jarvis applied and was accepted to UNC School of Law where he honed his litigating skills on the Mock Trial Team. After earning his law degree, he accepted a law clerk position at the North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC) where he had the opportunity to manage two Full Commissioners at different times, conduct legal research, draft opinions, and learn the ins-and-outs of workers’ compensation law for almost three years.

After the NCIC, Jarvis joined a private law firm and spent the next two decades building the firm’s workers’ compensation practice, as well as working on personal injury and Social Security Disability cases.

Jarvis recognized that he was ready for change in his career, and he brought his considerable legal experience, drive, and compassion to the firm.

Serving Others Outside of Work

Jarvis enjoys using the critical thinking and problem-solving skills that help him as an attorney to help other causes, as well. Jarvis is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., an organization that named him the 2005 National Alumni Brother of the Year. He served as the first African American male Board Chair of Guilford Technical Community College and was the youngest Board Chair in the school’s history.

In his downtime, Jarvis turns to photography to express himself, and his work is featured often in Triad Real Producers Magazine. He has lived in Greensboro for 20+ years and loves raising his two daughters in such a vibrant city.