Jim has guided U.S. and multinational clients in their corporate growth strategies, leading public and private equity offerings aggregating well over a billion dollars in capital, and managing acquisitions and divestitures ranging in size from a few hundred million dollars to several billion dollars. He also counsels CEOs and Boards of Directors on their most critical corporate governance and risk management needs. He has twice been asked to serve as interim general counsel to a Fortune 500 business. He is a frequent speaker on corporate governance, securities law issues, and mergers and acquisitions. Jim is chair of Husch Blackwell's Business Services Division and a member of the firm's Partner Board. Awards & Recognitions · The Best Lawyers in America, Corporate Law, Mergers & Acquisitions Law, 1995-2012; Kansas City Corporate Lawyer of the Year, 2010 · Chambers USA, Corporate/Mergers & Acquisitions Law, 2010-2011 · Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, Corporate Law, 2005-2011 Civic Involvement · Midwest Center for Holocaust Education, Board of Governors Experience · $1.3 billion merger of Illuminet and VeriSign · $2.2 billion merger of Applebee's and IHOP · $1.2 billion merger of American Italian Pasta Company and Ralcorp News & Publications News 10.19.11, Super Lawyers 2011 Names 71 Husch Blackwell Attorneys from Missouri and Nebraska; an Additional 15 Listed as Rising Stars 9.6.11, More Than 100 Husch Blackwell Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers 2012 8.12.11, Husch Blackwell Announces Firm Leadership Transition 6.13.11, Husch Blackwell Receives High Rankings, Praise from Clients in Chambers USA 2011 4.13.11, Husch Blackwell Moves London Office, Expands Relationship with U.K. Firm McGrigors 10.13.10, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers 2010 Names 64 Husch Blackwell Attorneys; An Additional 20 Listed as Rising Stars 12.8.09, Three Husch Blackwell Sanders Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers 2010 Lawyers of the Year 10.22.09, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers 2009 Names 73 Husch Blackwell Sanders Attorneys 5.1.09, The American Lawyer: Priced to Sell Publications 9.21.10, SEC Adopts Final Rules on Shareholder Proxy Access 8.5.10, Impacts of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act on Executive Compensation and Corporate Governance 2.17.10, SEC Issues Interpretive Guidance on Disclosure of Business or Legal Developments Regarding Climate Change and Related Issues 12.28.09, SEC Clarifies Transition Rules and Effective Dates for Expanded Disclosure Requirements 12.22.09, SEC Expands Disclosure Requirements on Compensation and Corporate Governance Issues and Accelerates Reporting of Shareholder Votes for Public Companies 10.30.09, SEC Defers SOX 404 Attestation Requirement for Smaller Companies 10.1.09, NYSE Proposed Amendments to Corporate Governance Listing Standards 8.11.09, Proposed Rules Expand Compensation and Corporate Governance Disclosure Requirements for Public Companies 7.15.09, SEC Approves Amendment to NYSE Rule 452 6.16.09, Recent Amendments to the Delaware General Corporation Law and SEC Proposed Rules 3.13.09, Stimulus Bill Provides Acquisition Tax Opportunities 1.29.09, Activist Shareholders' Stealth Tools: Empty Voting and Total Return Swaps |