JamesDorough-Lewis, Jr.
Associate
Corporate
jdoroughlewis@seyfarth.com
James helps clients turn complex deal structures, regulatory requirements, and risk allocation mechanics into clear choices tied to business objectives.
More About James
James advises private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, and founder-led and family-owned businesses on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, minority investments, joint ventures, and other corporate transactions. His practice has a particular focus on technology, software, and data-driven businesses, with additional experience in industrial manufacturing and services. He represents both buyers and sellers in middle market transactions, including platform acquisitions, add-ons, carve-outs, and strategic exits.
Known for disciplined execution and practical, commercially grounded advice, James leads multijurisdictional transaction teams and coordinates specialist and third-party advisor workstreams. He brings a commercial mindset and clear, business-first judgment to transactions, shaped by prior service in the US military and by federal government and private sector roles in the US and abroad. Drawing on that experience and advanced education across disciplines relevant to his practice, he anticipates legal and regulatory risks and uses technology and process innovation to increase efficiency and deal certainty.
Known for disciplined execution and practical, commercially grounded advice, James leads multijurisdictional transaction teams and coordinates specialist and third-party advisor workstreams. He brings a commercial mindset and clear, business-first judgment to transactions, shaped by prior service in the US military and by federal government and private sector roles in the US and abroad. Drawing on that experience and advanced education across disciplines relevant to his practice, he anticipates legal and regulatory risks and uses technology and process innovation to increase efficiency and deal certainty.
- LLM, University of Houston
Tax Law - LLM, University of Houston
International Law - JD, University of Houston
- PhD, Nova Southeastern University
Conflict Analysis and Resolution with a concentration in Ethnic and Cultural Conflict - MS, University of Arizona
Geographic Information Systems Technology - MHR, University of Oklahoma
- BS, Southern Nazarene University
International Studies; French minor
Certifications
- Certified Health Care Institute (HCI) professional, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (2022)
-
Certificate in Sustainable Capitalism and ESG, UC Berkeley Haas School of Business (2022)
-
Certificate in Advanced Arbitration Skills, A.A White Dispute Resolution Center (2018)
- Texas
Related Services
Related News & Insights
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Sponsored Events
Jun 8 - 12, 2026
Seyfarth Sponsors International Arbitration Certificate Program; Sara Farabow, Dr. James Dorough-Lewis, and Katrina Bennett to Speak
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Firm News
Jun 3, 2026
Seyfarth Represents HVAC Leader Delta T Equipment in Sale to Impact Climate Technologies
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Media Mentions
Mar 11, 2026
Paul Pryzant and James Dorough-Lewis Explore How AI and Innovation Are Transforming Modern M&A on the Legal Innovation Spotlight Podcast
-
Legal Update
Dec 5, 2025
Texas Business Court Signals Commercial Approach to Contract Doctrine in Early Decision
- Listed in Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars (Thomson Reuters) for Business & Corporate (2025)
- Awarded "Seyfarthian of the Year," Seyfarth Shaw LLP (2024)
- Co-Author, “Texas Business Court Signals Commercial Approach to Contract Doctrine in Early Decision,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 5, 2025)
- Co-Author, "Managing uncertainty in cross-border M&A," Financier Worldwide Magazine (July 2025)
- Co-Author, “Texas Adopts Business-Friendly Amendments to Its Corporate Code—A Response to Delaware?,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 2, 2025)
- Co-Author, "2023 Human Capital Disclosure Report: In Betwixt and Between," Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 5, 2024)
- Co-Author, "2022 Human Capital Disclosure Report: Moving Forward While Still Waiting," Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 21, 2023)
- Co-Author, Human Capital Disclosure Report: With Vague SEC Guidance Comes General Disclosures, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (2021)
- “Understanding Culture” in Combatting Criminalized Power Structures: A Toolkit, Rowman & Littlefield (2016)
- Discussion Leader, "Third Annual Transactional Law Learning Event," University of Houston Law Center (September 5, 2025)
- Co-Panelist, "M&A Earnouts Amid Economic Uncertainty: Negotiating and Structuring, Best Practices for Avoiding Disputes," Strafford Webinar (November 6, 2024)
- Panelists, "M&A Earnouts and Economic Uncertainty: Negotiating and Structuring, Best Practices for Avoiding Disputes," Strafford Webinar (October 12, 2022)
- Co-Presenter, "Hitting Milestones – How to Navigate Career Goals," Houston Bar Association CLE Webinar (June 24, 2022)
- Veteran Leaders Forum (2024 to present)
- Seyfarth Veterans and Military Families Working Group co-chair (2024 to present)
- Houston Grand Opera Trustee (2023 to present)
- University of Houston Law Center Adjunct Professor (2022 to present)
- University of Houston Law Center Alternative Dispute Resolution Interscholastic Competition Team Coach (2021 to present)
James helps clients turn complex deal structures, regulatory requirements, and risk allocation mechanics into clear choices tied to business objectives.
More About James
James advises private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, and founder-led and family-owned businesses on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, minority investments, joint ventures, and other corporate transactions. His practice has a particular focus on technology, software, and data-driven businesses, with additional experience in industrial manufacturing and services. He represents both buyers and sellers in middle market transactions, including platform acquisitions, add-ons, carve-outs, and strategic exits.
Known for disciplined execution and practical, commercially grounded advice, James leads multijurisdictional transaction teams and coordinates specialist and third-party advisor workstreams. He brings a commercial mindset and clear, business-first judgment to transactions, shaped by prior service in the US military and by federal government and private sector roles in the US and abroad. Drawing on that experience and advanced education across disciplines relevant to his practice, he anticipates legal and regulatory risks and uses technology and process innovation to increase efficiency and deal certainty.
Known for disciplined execution and practical, commercially grounded advice, James leads multijurisdictional transaction teams and coordinates specialist and third-party advisor workstreams. He brings a commercial mindset and clear, business-first judgment to transactions, shaped by prior service in the US military and by federal government and private sector roles in the US and abroad. Drawing on that experience and advanced education across disciplines relevant to his practice, he anticipates legal and regulatory risks and uses technology and process innovation to increase efficiency and deal certainty.
- LLM, University of Houston
Tax Law - LLM, University of Houston
International Law - JD, University of Houston
- PhD, Nova Southeastern University
Conflict Analysis and Resolution with a concentration in Ethnic and Cultural Conflict - MS, University of Arizona
Geographic Information Systems Technology - MHR, University of Oklahoma
- BS, Southern Nazarene University
International Studies; French minor
Certifications
- Certified Health Care Institute (HCI) professional, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (2022)
-
Certificate in Sustainable Capitalism and ESG, UC Berkeley Haas School of Business (2022)
-
Certificate in Advanced Arbitration Skills, A.A White Dispute Resolution Center (2018)
- Texas
Related Services
Related News & Insights
-
Sponsored Events
Jun 8 - 12, 2026
Seyfarth Sponsors International Arbitration Certificate Program; Sara Farabow, Dr. James Dorough-Lewis, and Katrina Bennett to Speak
-
Firm News
Jun 3, 2026
Seyfarth Represents HVAC Leader Delta T Equipment in Sale to Impact Climate Technologies
-
Media Mentions
Mar 11, 2026
Paul Pryzant and James Dorough-Lewis Explore How AI and Innovation Are Transforming Modern M&A on the Legal Innovation Spotlight Podcast
-
Legal Update
Dec 5, 2025
Texas Business Court Signals Commercial Approach to Contract Doctrine in Early Decision
- Listed in Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars (Thomson Reuters) for Business & Corporate (2025)
- Awarded "Seyfarthian of the Year," Seyfarth Shaw LLP (2024)
- Co-Author, “Texas Business Court Signals Commercial Approach to Contract Doctrine in Early Decision,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 5, 2025)
- Co-Author, "Managing uncertainty in cross-border M&A," Financier Worldwide Magazine (July 2025)
- Co-Author, “Texas Adopts Business-Friendly Amendments to Its Corporate Code—A Response to Delaware?,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 2, 2025)
- Co-Author, "2023 Human Capital Disclosure Report: In Betwixt and Between," Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 5, 2024)
- Co-Author, "2022 Human Capital Disclosure Report: Moving Forward While Still Waiting," Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 21, 2023)
- Co-Author, Human Capital Disclosure Report: With Vague SEC Guidance Comes General Disclosures, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (2021)
- “Understanding Culture” in Combatting Criminalized Power Structures: A Toolkit, Rowman & Littlefield (2016)
- Discussion Leader, "Third Annual Transactional Law Learning Event," University of Houston Law Center (September 5, 2025)
- Co-Panelist, "M&A Earnouts Amid Economic Uncertainty: Negotiating and Structuring, Best Practices for Avoiding Disputes," Strafford Webinar (November 6, 2024)
- Panelists, "M&A Earnouts and Economic Uncertainty: Negotiating and Structuring, Best Practices for Avoiding Disputes," Strafford Webinar (October 12, 2022)
- Co-Presenter, "Hitting Milestones – How to Navigate Career Goals," Houston Bar Association CLE Webinar (June 24, 2022)
- Veteran Leaders Forum (2024 to present)
- Seyfarth Veterans and Military Families Working Group co-chair (2024 to present)
- Houston Grand Opera Trustee (2023 to present)
- University of Houston Law Center Adjunct Professor (2022 to present)
- University of Houston Law Center Alternative Dispute Resolution Interscholastic Competition Team Coach (2021 to present)