New York University School of Law,
J.D., 1978
Harvard University,
B.A., 1971
New York
Thompson Coburn;
Partner, 2021-Present
Hahn & Hessen;
Partner, 1994-2021
Holtzmann Wise & Shepard;
Partner, 1978-1994
James serves as legal adviser to investors, entrepreneurs, investment advisers and investment bankers as they fund or invest in new companies, grow established private companies, raise funds privately or go public, and embark on complex mergers and acquisitions.
Clients look to James to help them organize companies, launch angel and venture capital private financings, form hedge funds and private equity funds, and make private investments in public entities (PIPEs). James also assists with initial and follow on public offerings, public company compliance, bankruptcy and other reorganizations, mergers and acquisitions, licensing, software development, executive compensation and general corporate matters.
His recent merger and acquisition work includes public company mergers, purchases and sales of private companies and purchases and sales of assets and businesses in bankruptcy. In addition, James and his colleagues counsel private investment companies on private placements, securities law compliance and private investment.
James has acted as counsel in international transactions, including the sale of a Spanish company operating in seven Latin American companies, organization of off-shore private equity funds and private equity investing in China, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, Pakistan and Georgia.
James has spoken to client and industry groups, including the Practicing Law Institute, on various topics including PIPEs, issuance of equity in bankruptcy, down rounds, limited liability companies, equity kickers for lenders and legal ethics.
James has also organized 501(c)(3) not for profit companies and acted as their counsel.
Several PIPEs (private investments in public entities) on behalf of investor investment bankers and issuers
Public offerings on behalf of issuers, underwriters and selling stockholders
Reverse mergers
Acquisition and disposition of businesses in bankruptcy
Negotiation of equity interests for mezzanine lenders in bankruptcies
Formation of financial advisory/information firms and joint ventures
Financial advisory/investment banking engagements
Organization of joint ventures
Investments in private equity funds
Preparation of private placements of securities for early stage companies, hedge funds and private equity funds
“Introduction to Private Investment Funds,”
Lexis Practice Advisor, 2017
“Protecting Minority Securityholder Rights,”
Lexis Practice Advisor, 2014
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