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James A. Smith
Partner
Boston
Jim Smith is the Chair of Foley Hoag's International Practice Group and his business law practice has a strong international focus. His geographic emphasis is in the Southern Hemisphere, but his client representations are global in scope. For example, his extensive experience in international forestry includes advising on the acquisition of sustainable plantation forests and related businesses in Australasia (New Zealand, Australia and Indonesia), the Southern Cone of South America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay), South Africa, Guatemala and Portugal. Jim also advises businesses on the governance and conduct of off-shore operations, and counsels international and domestic institutional clients on acquisitions, joint ventures and long-term supply/purchase contracts.
In the corporate finance segment of his practice, James represents investment advisers and managers of alternative asset private equity funds in the formation of domestic and international funds and the implementation of investment strategies. He also advises diverse businesses and companies in connection with working capital, term loans and other secured and unsecured debt financings, which range from modest facilities to syndicated credit structures.
Jim focuses on two significant industry segments in his practice. For over fifteen years, he has been the outside general counsel to a leading international forestry investment manager providing advise in connection with all aspects of its business, including closed-end fund formation, asset acquisitions, ongoing forestry operations and asset divestment and liquidation upon the conclusion of fund terms. He also represents technology companies in all aspects of corporate work, including venture capital, debt and other financings, mergers and acquisitions, compensation related issues and arrangements with strategic partners.
Playing an active role in firm governance, Jim chairs Foley Hoag's International Practice Group and its Legal Opinions Committee and is a past chair of the firm's Business Department.
Bars and Court Admissions
Massachusetts
professional / civic involvement
American Bar Association Legal Opinions Committee
Boston Bar Association Legal Opinion Committee (Former Chair)
International Bar Association
Planning Board, Town of Concord, Massachusetts (1985 - 1991)
Finance Committee, Town of Concord, Massachusetts (1991 - 1995)
Governing Board, First Parish in Concord (1995 - 1999)
Public Works Commissioner, Town of Concord, Massachusetts (2006- Present)
SPEECHES AND CONFERENCES
Regularly lectures on topics concerning legal opinions practice.
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