For more than a decade, Jim has advised Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, and mid-sized companies in a variety of industries regarding business formation and transactions, intellectual property protection & licensing, and international business & trade legal matters. He routinely represents companies before the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the US Library of Congress (Copyright Office), US Customs & Border Protection, US Department of Commerce, US Department of Defense Trade Controls, the Office of Foreign Asset Controls, the US International Trade Administration, and other federal and international governing bodies and agencies.
In addition to his work at the Firm, Jim is also an adjunct professor of law at Baylor University Law School, where he teaches courses on International Trade Law and International Business Transactions. He also served for several years as an adjunct professor at the University of Dallas College of Business, teaching the Legal Environment of Business.
Corporate & Business Representation Jim’s business transactional practice includes drafting and reviewing contracts, as well as entity formation and acquisition. He has assisted in the formation, merger, or conversion of over 50 entities, and serves as legal advisor to foreign companies doing business with the U.S.
Intellectual Property Representation
His intellectual property work involves protecting and enforcing trademarks, trade secrets, and copyrights in the US and abroad, as well as licensing. He has filed or manages over 150 state and federal trademark applications and registration, as well as numerous copyright registrations.
International Business & Trade Representation
Jim’s international business & trade work includes international contracts and payments and related transactions, as well as managing import & export regulations, ITAR, FCPA and other trade-related laws. His success rate in import/export enforcement and ruling matters is unsurpassed. He also coordinates with foreign counsel on legal projects around the world on behalf of U.S. companies.
Jim has served as a director or general counsel of several non-profit entities and foundations. He has also served as an advisor to the Global Business program at the University of Dallas, and the Foreign Trade Institute at the University of Texas at Dallas. He is a member of the College of the State Bar of Texas.
A recognized expert in his field, Jim has been named a “Rising Star” in Texas by his peers, an honor awarded to less than 2.5% of attorneys in the state. He was honored for his professional and civic accomplishments by being named an “Alumni Ambassador” by Texas A&M University at Commerce. He has also been named to the Pro Bono College of the Texas Bar Association.
Jim lives in Dallas with his wife and four children: Patrick, Becket, Lillian and Andrew.
Publications and Speaking Engagements
Jim is a frequent speaker on various IP and international business and trade topics at both regional and international events. He has written a number of articles, including recent articles published in the National Law Journal and Texas Lawyer.
Recent Speeches:
“Keys to Int’l Trade Compliance,” Inst. Supply Chain Mgmt. (San Antonio) 2008.
“Export Controls and Technology,” DBA Computer Law Section 2008.
“Legal Aspect of Int’l Trade,” Ft. Worth Int’l. Center 2008.
“Financing Int’l Trade,” Ft. Worth Int’l. Center 2008.
“Keys to International Trade Compliance” Inst. Supply Chain Mgmt. (Wichita, KS) 2008
“Overview of IP Law,” PRO Dallas 2007.
“Overlap between IP and Trade Law,” DBA Computer Law Section 2006.
“Role of Attorneys in International Transactions,” Foreign Trade Inst. 2005.
"Foreign-Trade Zones," Dallas Economists Club 2004.
“Overview of U.S. Customs Law,” DBA Small Firm/Solo Section 2004.
"Managing the Broker/Importer Relationship," NTCBFFA Conf. (Dallas) 2003.
