James C. Brand

James represents and advises commercial lenders, businesses, and buyers in the areas of debt finance, distressed asset sales, bankruptcy, secured transactions, corporate restructuring, foreclosure of security interests and other creditors’ remedies, receiverships and assignments for benefit of creditors (ABCs), and related matters.

In addition to guiding businesses through all aspects of insolvency matters, James regularly consults with clients and other lawyers regarding the structure of commercial transactions to minimize exposure in the event of insolvency.

James is associate general counsel to the firm.

James is an experienced mediator with the Hennepin County District Court Mediation Project and is a former adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota Law School and Mitchell Hamline School of Law in the areas of bankruptcy and secured transactions.

• Represented private debt fund in connection with loan originations, workouts, and Article 9 foreclosures and other exercises of remedies in dozens of transactions across the country.
• Represented multiple buyers of assets at Article 9 foreclosure sales.
• Represented assignees in numerous ABCs in connection with asset sales, winddowns and liquidations.
• Represented multiple businesses in Chapter 11 asset sales from numerous industry sectors.
• Negotiated and litigated issues of cash collateral, adequate protection and stay relief for both creditors and commercial debtors.
• Obtained confirmation of Chapter 11 plans of reorganization for multiple businesses.
• Represented debtor in Chapter 15 proceedings.
• Successfully opposed appointment of receiver in state court action.

Education

• University of Chicago Law School, J.D.
• Valparaiso University, B.A., summa cum laude

Admissions

• Minnesota Supreme Court
• U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin

Clerkships

• Clerk, Honorable Eugene Wedoff, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois

• Best Lawyers in America, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 2020-2026
• North Star Lawyer, Minnesota State Bar Association, 2012-2014, 2018
• Transaction of the Year, Turnaround Management Association, Minnesota Chapter, 2018
• Minnesota Super Lawyers Rising Star, Bankruptcy: Business, 2014-2017
• Transaction of the Year, Turnaround Management Association, Upper Midwest Chapter, 2016

Professional Activities

• American Bar Association
• Minnesota State Bar Association
• Hennepin County Bar Association
• American Bankruptcy Institute
• Bankruptcy Bulletin, Contributing Editor

Community

• Hennepin County District Court Mediation Project, Volunteer Mediator
• Minnesota Youth Ski League, Volunteer Coach
• University of Minnesota Law School, Former Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
• Mitchell Hamline School of Law, Former Adjunct Associate Professor of Law