James' practice involves counseling clients with the design, implementation and operation of qualified defined contribution plans, with an emphasis on Employee Stock Ownership Plans (“ESOPs”)   James previously served as an ERISA Enforcement Advisor and the National ESOP Coordinator for the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration where he identified and corrected violations of ERISA in connection with ESOPs, including stock drops, improper valuations, prohibited loans, discrimination issues, voting rights, diversification and refinancing.

Education

• LL.M., Taxation & Employee Benefits, Georgetown University Law Center
• J.D., Valparaiso University School of Law
• B.S., Business and Human Resource Management, Utah State University

Expertise

James’s ESOP experience includes company, trustee and shareholder representation in numerous ESOP transactions, including leveraged buy-outs, corporate stock redemptions, shareholder succession and corporate reorganizations.

James regularly advises clients on deferred compensation arrangements, including stock appreciation rights (SARs), phantom stock, qualified and non-qualified stock options, and compliance with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A