Jim’s career as a lawyer was preceded by a ten year career in government and banking in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco. His practice focuses on real estate finance, and he has substantial experience in all facets of real estate lending including construction and permanent lending, securitized loans, ground lease financing (including loans for the renovation of converted military facilities at the Presidio of San Francisco), and vineyard and winery loans. He also handles the acquisition and sale of properties, the negotiation of office and retail leases, and provides counsel on easement and title issues. Jim has obtained regulatory approval for the sale of condominiums and advises clients on condominium, homeowners association, and subdivision law issues.
Jim also advises both commercial lenders and borrowers in the workout of problem loans, foreclosures, deed-in-lieu of foreclosures, and receiverships. He has obtained the court appointment of receivers for troubled properties in eight Northern California counties. In addition to real estate lending, he has negotiated loans secured by diverse collateral, including power plants, windmills, winning lottery tickets, and sports sponsorship contracts. He advises nonprofit lenders who provide financing for the construction of low-income housing, mixed-use and community facilities and currently serves on the program review committee of a fund recently established by the City of San Francisco to help nonprofits acquire their own facilities.
J.D., 1991, University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law
M.P.P., 1978, University of California, Berkeley, Graduate School of Public Policy
A.B., 1976, with Honors and Distinction, Stanford University