Jim is the firm’s Managing Shareholder and Executive Committee Chairman. He has been an attorney with Ryley Carlock & Applewhite since 1974 and previously served on the firm’s Executive Committee, led the Corporate Practice Group, and served as the firm’s Risk Management Shareholder. Jim’s practice focuses on business transactions and legal compliance for for-profit and non-profit businesses. He also has experience with ERISA, executive employment agreements, executive compensation programs including supplemental executive retirement plans (top-hat plans), stock option programs, phantom stock plans, deferred-compensation plans, and long-term incentive performance plans. He also helps with the formation and licensing of insurance and reinsurance companies and banks and providing counseling concerning the regulation of banks and insurance companies. In addition, Jim’s experience includes advice concerning Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) compliance for private and public companies. Jim also has counseled boards of directors for for-profit and non-profit entities, including private foundations, concerning fiduciary obligations, conflicts of interest, and tax compliance. Arizona State University, J.D.,magna cum laude, 1974 University of Arizona, B.A., cum laude, 1968