James R. Walther

James R. Walther

Senior Counsel

Jim Walther represents public and privately held companies in a broad range of industries including banking, financial services, real estate, and technology. His experience includes handling complex mergers, acquisitions, and other restructurings, including significant cross border transactions. Mr. Walther has also advised on numerous public offerings and private placements of securities, including IPOs, anti-takeover strategies, and proxy contests. In addition, he advises boards of directors and special board committees on corporate governance issues.

Mr. Walther has been recognized as a leading M&A lawyer in the International Who's Who of Merger & Acquisition Lawyers and in Who's Who Legal California. He also has been ranked among the Best Lawyers in America for Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, and Securities Law, and as a Southern California Super Lawyer.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Walther served as a partner in the California office of an international law firm and as a global practice leader of that firm's corporate and securities lawyers. He graduated from UCLA, Los Angeles School of Law, where he was an Articles Editor for the UCLA Law Review.

Perspectives

Significant 2022 Decisions Affecting Private Company M&A
Advisory
Spotlight on President Biden’s Executive Order on Digital Assets With Focus on Cryptocurrency
Advisory
Top 10 Tips for Effective Board Oversight of M&A Transactions
Arnold & Porter Seminar, Palo Alto, CA

Recognition

Best Lawyers
Corporate Law (LA) (2006-2024)
Mergers & Acquisitions Law (LA) (2006-2024)
Securities/Capital Markets Law (LA) (2006-2024)
"Los Angeles Lawyer of the Year" — Securities/Capital Markets Law (LA) (2015)
Who's Who Legal
Mergers & Acquisitions (2008–2022)
Corporate Governance (2015–2022)
Public Counsel
Pro Bono Counsel of the Year (2018)

Credentials

Education
  • J.D., University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, 1972, Order of the Coif
  • A.B., Stanford University, 1967
Admissions
  • California
Activities
  • Board of Trustees, Children's Bureau of Southern California Foundation

  • American Bar Association, Business Law Section; M&A Committee, Federal Regulation of Securities Committee

  • Advisory Board, University of Southern California Institute for Corporate Counsel

  • State Bar of California

  • Los Angeles County Bar Association, Corporate Law Section

  • Co-Chairman, Corporations Committee, California State Bar (2001- 2002)

Overview

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