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Biography

James has substantial experience representing clients in public offerings, mergers and acquisitions, strategic corporate planning, private placements, periodic reporting by public companies, corporate governance, investment adviser compliance, and other matters in the general corporate law field. He has counseled the firm’s clients in a variety of industries, including health care, banking and finance, energy and natural resources, and food service. He serves as the firm’s Business Combinations and Capital Transactions Practice Group Leader. James has been a frequent speaker and author on securities law matters, corporate governance, and general corporate law issues.

Other Info About James

Education

Law School

Harvard Law School, J.D., 1985, cum laude
Harvard Environmental Law Review, Editor-in-Chief

Undergraduate School

Yale University, B.A., 1982, magna cum laude

Clerkships

James served as a clerk for the court(s) and judge(s) below:

Judicial Clerk to the Honorable Boyce F. Martin, Jr., U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, 1985-1986

Bar Memberships

James is licensed to practice in the following state(s):

Kentucky, 1985

Recognition

Local & National Recognition

Chambers USA, Corporate/M&A, 2008-2023

The Best Lawyers in America®  (recognized since 2005)
Banking and Finance Law, 2006-2023; Louisville Banking and Finance Law “Lawyer of the Year,” 2015
Corporate Governance Law, 2015-2023; Louisville Corporate Governance Law “Lawyer of the Year,” 2018, 2020
Corporate Law, 2010-2023; Louisville Corporate Law “Lawyer of the Year,” 2011
Securities/Capital Markets Law, 2009-2023
Louisville Securities/Capital Markets Law “Lawyer of the Year,” 2014, 2019, 2022
Securities Regulation, 2011-2023
Private Funds/Hedge Funds Law, 2017-2023

Selected for inclusion in Kentucky Super Lawyers®, 2007-2020, 2022

AV® Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®

Professional Affiliations

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

American Bar Association

Kentucky Bar Association

Louisville Bar Association

Louisville Bar Association, former member Board of Directors and Business Law Section, Chair

Louisville Bar Foundation, Past President

UK-CLE Planning Committee for Midwest/Midsouth Securities Law Conference

Civic Activities

Civic & Charitable Organizations

Greater Louisville Inc., Finance Committee, Board of Directors

City Council of Indian Hills, Member

Cabbage Patch Settlement House, Finance Committee

Yale Club of Kentucky

Highland Presbyterian Church Elder

Firm Committees

James serves or has served in the following leadership role(s) at Frost Brown Todd:

Nominating Committee, Member

Compensation Committee, former Member

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