James M.Sullivan
Partner
Corporate
jmsullivan@seyfarth.com
James helps clients navigate the legal complexities and nuances of corporate restructuring, bankruptcy, and transactional matters.
More About James
James' primary practice focus is corporate restructuring and bankruptcy, distressed situations, and complex commercial disputes. He brings over 25 years of experience representing corporate debtors, banks, secured and unsecured creditors, creditors' committees, trustees, and distressed investors in large Chapter 11 cases as well as in out-of-court restructurings.
On the transactional side, James acts as outside general counsel to some of his clients, guiding such clients on a host of corporate and transactional matters. James also regularly counsels investors in acquisitions and dispositions of businesses, distressed assets, real estate, and other assets. In addition, he frequently represents borrowers and lenders in matters involving corporate and acquisition financing. Many of James’ clients are based outside the United States, and he regularly guides them on issues relating to doing business in the United States.
In addition, James regularly assists his clients with a range of litigation matters, having started his career as a commercial litigator and having clerked for a federal district court judge and a state chancery judge. James regularly appears in federal and state courts throughout the United States, and has first-chaired numerous trials, appeals, arbitrations, and mediations. James has acted as a court-appointed mediator and has an excellent track record of helping parties reach a consensual resolution of complex legal disputes.
James also stays abreast of legal issues involving new technologies, including advising clients on matters relating to virtual assets and cryptocurrencies. James was an Official Observer on the Drafting Committee formed by the Uniform Law Commission and The American Law Institute to prepare amendments to the Uniform Commercial Code to accommodate emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, distributed ledger technology, and virtual currency, culminating in amendments that included new Article 12, which were approved and recommended for enactment in all the states in 2022. James is a regular speaker on such issues and has presented on such topics both nationally and internationally.
James is rated AV Preeminent in his field by Martindale-Hubbell. James has also been honored as one of New York’s Top Lawyers by New York Law Journal (ALM Global LLC, 2019). He is described by his clients as “a smart lawyer who understands business issues and is always on his clients' side.”
Prior to joining Seyfarth, James was a partner at several large national law firms.
He regularly authors articles and lectures on numerous topics concerning bankruptcy, including purchasing assets out of bankruptcy and the interplay between bankruptcy and cryptocurrency. He is an experienced pilot who enjoys skiing, mountain climbing, and scuba diving.
On the transactional side, James acts as outside general counsel to some of his clients, guiding such clients on a host of corporate and transactional matters. James also regularly counsels investors in acquisitions and dispositions of businesses, distressed assets, real estate, and other assets. In addition, he frequently represents borrowers and lenders in matters involving corporate and acquisition financing. Many of James’ clients are based outside the United States, and he regularly guides them on issues relating to doing business in the United States.
In addition, James regularly assists his clients with a range of litigation matters, having started his career as a commercial litigator and having clerked for a federal district court judge and a state chancery judge. James regularly appears in federal and state courts throughout the United States, and has first-chaired numerous trials, appeals, arbitrations, and mediations. James has acted as a court-appointed mediator and has an excellent track record of helping parties reach a consensual resolution of complex legal disputes.
James also stays abreast of legal issues involving new technologies, including advising clients on matters relating to virtual assets and cryptocurrencies. James was an Official Observer on the Drafting Committee formed by the Uniform Law Commission and The American Law Institute to prepare amendments to the Uniform Commercial Code to accommodate emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, distributed ledger technology, and virtual currency, culminating in amendments that included new Article 12, which were approved and recommended for enactment in all the states in 2022. James is a regular speaker on such issues and has presented on such topics both nationally and internationally.
James is rated AV Preeminent in his field by Martindale-Hubbell. James has also been honored as one of New York’s Top Lawyers by New York Law Journal (ALM Global LLC, 2019). He is described by his clients as “a smart lawyer who understands business issues and is always on his clients' side.”
Prior to joining Seyfarth, James was a partner at several large national law firms.
He regularly authors articles and lectures on numerous topics concerning bankruptcy, including purchasing assets out of bankruptcy and the interplay between bankruptcy and cryptocurrency. He is an experienced pilot who enjoys skiing, mountain climbing, and scuba diving.
- JD, Georgetown University Law Center
- BA, Boston College
Magna cum laude
- District of Columbia
- New Jersey
- New York
- US Supreme Court
- US Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
- US District Court, District of Connecticut
- US District Court, Southern District of Indiana
- US District Court, District of New Jersey
- US District Court, Eastern District of New York
- US District Court, Southern District of New York
Related Services
Related News & Insights
-
Speaking Engagement
Apr 17, 2024
James Sullivan a Panelist at Financial Poise Webinar "The Nuts & Bolts of Bankruptcy Law: The Nuts & Bolts of a 363 Motion"
-
Speaking Engagement
Apr 16, 2024
James Sullivan a Panelist at Financial Poise Webinar "Digital Assets in Commerce & Bankruptcy: Digital Assets as Collateral: UCC Article 12"
-
Media Mentions
02/29/2024
Seyfarth Restructuring Team Featured in Law360 Pulse and American Lawyer Articles on Rise in Demand for Restructuring Lawyers
-
Firm News
02/20/2024
Seyfarth Continues Corporate Expansion with Addition of Restructuring and Bankruptcy Partner in New York
- Recognized as one of New York’s Top Rated Lawyers 2019 by New York Law Journal (ALM Global LLC)
- Listed in Super Lawyers, New York (Thomson Reuters) (2012-2017)
- American Bar Association, member
- International Bar Association and North American Membership Chair of Insolvency Section, member
- American Bankruptcy Institute, member
- Author, “Finding Gold Amidst the Ashes: Navigating Bankruptcy Asset Sales with Experienced Counsel,” Crain’s NY Busines, (December 6, 2021)
- Co-Author, “Recent Developments and Noteworthy Decisions Regarding Sections 501 and 502 of the Bankruptcy Code,” Norton Annual Survey of Bankruptcy Law (Thomson Reuters 2022) (updated annually since 2011)
- Author, “Chapter 16: Collective Creditor Actions and Bankruptcy Law,”Commercial Bankruptcy Litigation, 2d (Thomson Reuters 2024) (updated annually since 2013)
- Author, "United States: Financial Assistance," Corporate and M&A Law Committee - Financial Assistance Guide, (IBA Corporate and M&A Law Committee 2022) (periodically updated since 2013)
- Co-Author, “Is the “Unfinished Business Rule” Really Finished?,” Practical Lawyer (June 2015)
- Co-Author, “Software Licensing in a Troubled Environment,” Business Law Today (November/December 2009)
- Co-Author, “Maximizing Creditor Remedies in an Antitrust World,” 2008 Antitrust Rep. 59; (July 2008)
- Co-Author, “A Vendor’s Guide to Bankruptcy,” 1 Bloomberg Corp. L.J. 494 (January 2006)
- Contributing Author, “Handbook for New Jersey Trial Lawyers,” Greenberg et al., West 4th ed. 1999
- Panelist, "The Nuts & Bolts of Bankruptcy Law: The Nuts & Bolts of a 363 Motion," Financial Poise (April 17, 2024)
- Panelist, "Digital Assets in Commerce & Bankruptcy: Digital Assets as Collateral: UCC Article 12," Financial Poise (April 16, 2024)
- Speaker, "Navigating the Interplay Between Bankruptcy and Cryptocurrency," The Knowledge Group, (February 2023)
- Speaker, "The Nuts & Bolts of a Lift Stay Motion," Financial Poise (June 2022)
- Speaker, "The Intersection of Bankruptcy and Cryptocurrency: What Companies Must Know and Do to Mitigate Risks," The Knowledge Group (July 2021)
- Speaker, "Impact of technology on insolvency: cryptocurrency and blockchain," Rio de Janeiro Insolvency and Restructuring Conference, Rio de Janeiro State Supreme Court School of Judges, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, (May 2019)
- Speaker, "Impact of technology on insolvency: cryptocurrency and blockchain," 25 Annual International Bar Association Global Insolvency and Restructuring Conference, CLE Program, Sao Paulo, Brazil (May 2019)
- Speaker, "Purchasing Assets Out of Bankruptcy," In-house Presentation (December 2017)
- Speaker, "International Insolvencies in the Construction Industry – North America," International Bar Association Annual Conference, CLE Program, Vienna, Austria (October 2015)
- Speaker, "Real Estate Investment Strategies: Investing in Distressed Assets and Joint Venture War Stories – Minimizing Risk When Co-Investing," CLE Program (July 2014)
- Speaker, "Minimizing Credit Risk While Doing Business with American Companies," The Industrial and Commerce Association, Trade Association Program, Jinhua, China (June 2014)
- Speaker, "Purchasing Assets Out of Bankruptcy, In-house Presentation," (December 2012)
- Speaker, "Retail Suppliers: Minimize Risk Pre-Bankruptcy; Maximize Recovery Post-Bankruptcy," CLE Program (November 2011)
- Speaker, "Health Care Hot Topics: Workouts and Restructurings in the Health Care Industry," CLE Program (September 2009)
- Speaker, "California Bankruptcy Forum – Current Issues in Single Asset Real Estate Cases," CLE Program (May 2009)
- Speaker, "Distressed Debt Investing: New Federal Law of Reclamation," CLE Program (November 2007)
- Speaker, "Distressed Debt Seminar – Northwest Airlines Rule 2019 Litigation: Disclosure Obligations for Unofficial Committees in Chapter 11," CLE Program (May 2007)
- Speaker, "Purchasing Assets Out of Bankruptcy," CLE Program (October 2006)
- Speaker, "Bankruptcy from the Trade Creditor’s Perspective," CLE Program (August 2006)
- Speaker, "Beard Audio Conference: Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation: New Code Limits and Loopholes for Troubled Companies," CLE Program (February 2006)
- Speaker, "The New Business Amendments to the Bankruptcy Code," CLE Program (November 2005)
James helps clients navigate the legal complexities and nuances of corporate restructuring, bankruptcy, and transactional matters.
More About James
James' primary practice focus is corporate restructuring and bankruptcy, distressed situations, and complex commercial disputes. He brings over 25 years of experience representing corporate debtors, banks, secured and unsecured creditors, creditors' committees, trustees, and distressed investors in large Chapter 11 cases as well as in out-of-court restructurings.
On the transactional side, James acts as outside general counsel to some of his clients, guiding such clients on a host of corporate and transactional matters. James also regularly counsels investors in acquisitions and dispositions of businesses, distressed assets, real estate, and other assets. In addition, he frequently represents borrowers and lenders in matters involving corporate and acquisition financing. Many of James’ clients are based outside the United States, and he regularly guides them on issues relating to doing business in the United States.
In addition, James regularly assists his clients with a range of litigation matters, having started his career as a commercial litigator and having clerked for a federal district court judge and a state chancery judge. James regularly appears in federal and state courts throughout the United States, and has first-chaired numerous trials, appeals, arbitrations, and mediations. James has acted as a court-appointed mediator and has an excellent track record of helping parties reach a consensual resolution of complex legal disputes.
James also stays abreast of legal issues involving new technologies, including advising clients on matters relating to virtual assets and cryptocurrencies. James was an Official Observer on the Drafting Committee formed by the Uniform Law Commission and The American Law Institute to prepare amendments to the Uniform Commercial Code to accommodate emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, distributed ledger technology, and virtual currency, culminating in amendments that included new Article 12, which were approved and recommended for enactment in all the states in 2022. James is a regular speaker on such issues and has presented on such topics both nationally and internationally.
James is rated AV Preeminent in his field by Martindale-Hubbell. James has also been honored as one of New York’s Top Lawyers by New York Law Journal (ALM Global LLC, 2019). He is described by his clients as “a smart lawyer who understands business issues and is always on his clients' side.”
Prior to joining Seyfarth, James was a partner at several large national law firms.
He regularly authors articles and lectures on numerous topics concerning bankruptcy, including purchasing assets out of bankruptcy and the interplay between bankruptcy and cryptocurrency. He is an experienced pilot who enjoys skiing, mountain climbing, and scuba diving.
On the transactional side, James acts as outside general counsel to some of his clients, guiding such clients on a host of corporate and transactional matters. James also regularly counsels investors in acquisitions and dispositions of businesses, distressed assets, real estate, and other assets. In addition, he frequently represents borrowers and lenders in matters involving corporate and acquisition financing. Many of James’ clients are based outside the United States, and he regularly guides them on issues relating to doing business in the United States.
In addition, James regularly assists his clients with a range of litigation matters, having started his career as a commercial litigator and having clerked for a federal district court judge and a state chancery judge. James regularly appears in federal and state courts throughout the United States, and has first-chaired numerous trials, appeals, arbitrations, and mediations. James has acted as a court-appointed mediator and has an excellent track record of helping parties reach a consensual resolution of complex legal disputes.
James also stays abreast of legal issues involving new technologies, including advising clients on matters relating to virtual assets and cryptocurrencies. James was an Official Observer on the Drafting Committee formed by the Uniform Law Commission and The American Law Institute to prepare amendments to the Uniform Commercial Code to accommodate emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, distributed ledger technology, and virtual currency, culminating in amendments that included new Article 12, which were approved and recommended for enactment in all the states in 2022. James is a regular speaker on such issues and has presented on such topics both nationally and internationally.
James is rated AV Preeminent in his field by Martindale-Hubbell. James has also been honored as one of New York’s Top Lawyers by New York Law Journal (ALM Global LLC, 2019). He is described by his clients as “a smart lawyer who understands business issues and is always on his clients' side.”
Prior to joining Seyfarth, James was a partner at several large national law firms.
He regularly authors articles and lectures on numerous topics concerning bankruptcy, including purchasing assets out of bankruptcy and the interplay between bankruptcy and cryptocurrency. He is an experienced pilot who enjoys skiing, mountain climbing, and scuba diving.
- JD, Georgetown University Law Center
- BA, Boston College
Magna cum laude
- District of Columbia
- New Jersey
- New York
- US Supreme Court
- US Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
- US District Court, District of Connecticut
- US District Court, Southern District of Indiana
- US District Court, District of New Jersey
- US District Court, Eastern District of New York
- US District Court, Southern District of New York
Related Services
Related News & Insights
-
Speaking Engagement
Apr 17, 2024
James Sullivan a Panelist at Financial Poise Webinar "The Nuts & Bolts of Bankruptcy Law: The Nuts & Bolts of a 363 Motion"
-
Speaking Engagement
Apr 16, 2024
James Sullivan a Panelist at Financial Poise Webinar "Digital Assets in Commerce & Bankruptcy: Digital Assets as Collateral: UCC Article 12"
-
Media Mentions
02/29/2024
Seyfarth Restructuring Team Featured in Law360 Pulse and American Lawyer Articles on Rise in Demand for Restructuring Lawyers
-
Firm News
02/20/2024
Seyfarth Continues Corporate Expansion with Addition of Restructuring and Bankruptcy Partner in New York
- Recognized as one of New York’s Top Rated Lawyers 2019 by New York Law Journal (ALM Global LLC)
- Listed in Super Lawyers, New York (Thomson Reuters) (2012-2017)
- American Bar Association, member
- International Bar Association and North American Membership Chair of Insolvency Section, member
- American Bankruptcy Institute, member
- Author, “Finding Gold Amidst the Ashes: Navigating Bankruptcy Asset Sales with Experienced Counsel,” Crain’s NY Busines, (December 6, 2021)
- Co-Author, “Recent Developments and Noteworthy Decisions Regarding Sections 501 and 502 of the Bankruptcy Code,” Norton Annual Survey of Bankruptcy Law (Thomson Reuters 2022) (updated annually since 2011)
- Author, “Chapter 16: Collective Creditor Actions and Bankruptcy Law,”Commercial Bankruptcy Litigation, 2d (Thomson Reuters 2024) (updated annually since 2013)
- Author, "United States: Financial Assistance," Corporate and M&A Law Committee - Financial Assistance Guide, (IBA Corporate and M&A Law Committee 2022) (periodically updated since 2013)
- Co-Author, “Is the “Unfinished Business Rule” Really Finished?,” Practical Lawyer (June 2015)
- Co-Author, “Software Licensing in a Troubled Environment,” Business Law Today (November/December 2009)
- Co-Author, “Maximizing Creditor Remedies in an Antitrust World,” 2008 Antitrust Rep. 59; (July 2008)
- Co-Author, “A Vendor’s Guide to Bankruptcy,” 1 Bloomberg Corp. L.J. 494 (January 2006)
- Contributing Author, “Handbook for New Jersey Trial Lawyers,” Greenberg et al., West 4th ed. 1999
- Panelist, "The Nuts & Bolts of Bankruptcy Law: The Nuts & Bolts of a 363 Motion," Financial Poise (April 17, 2024)
- Panelist, "Digital Assets in Commerce & Bankruptcy: Digital Assets as Collateral: UCC Article 12," Financial Poise (April 16, 2024)
- Speaker, "Navigating the Interplay Between Bankruptcy and Cryptocurrency," The Knowledge Group, (February 2023)
- Speaker, "The Nuts & Bolts of a Lift Stay Motion," Financial Poise (June 2022)
- Speaker, "The Intersection of Bankruptcy and Cryptocurrency: What Companies Must Know and Do to Mitigate Risks," The Knowledge Group (July 2021)
- Speaker, "Impact of technology on insolvency: cryptocurrency and blockchain," Rio de Janeiro Insolvency and Restructuring Conference, Rio de Janeiro State Supreme Court School of Judges, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, (May 2019)
- Speaker, "Impact of technology on insolvency: cryptocurrency and blockchain," 25 Annual International Bar Association Global Insolvency and Restructuring Conference, CLE Program, Sao Paulo, Brazil (May 2019)
- Speaker, "Purchasing Assets Out of Bankruptcy," In-house Presentation (December 2017)
- Speaker, "International Insolvencies in the Construction Industry – North America," International Bar Association Annual Conference, CLE Program, Vienna, Austria (October 2015)
- Speaker, "Real Estate Investment Strategies: Investing in Distressed Assets and Joint Venture War Stories – Minimizing Risk When Co-Investing," CLE Program (July 2014)
- Speaker, "Minimizing Credit Risk While Doing Business with American Companies," The Industrial and Commerce Association, Trade Association Program, Jinhua, China (June 2014)
- Speaker, "Purchasing Assets Out of Bankruptcy, In-house Presentation," (December 2012)
- Speaker, "Retail Suppliers: Minimize Risk Pre-Bankruptcy; Maximize Recovery Post-Bankruptcy," CLE Program (November 2011)
- Speaker, "Health Care Hot Topics: Workouts and Restructurings in the Health Care Industry," CLE Program (September 2009)
- Speaker, "California Bankruptcy Forum – Current Issues in Single Asset Real Estate Cases," CLE Program (May 2009)
- Speaker, "Distressed Debt Investing: New Federal Law of Reclamation," CLE Program (November 2007)
- Speaker, "Distressed Debt Seminar – Northwest Airlines Rule 2019 Litigation: Disclosure Obligations for Unofficial Committees in Chapter 11," CLE Program (May 2007)
- Speaker, "Purchasing Assets Out of Bankruptcy," CLE Program (October 2006)
- Speaker, "Bankruptcy from the Trade Creditor’s Perspective," CLE Program (August 2006)
- Speaker, "Beard Audio Conference: Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation: New Code Limits and Loopholes for Troubled Companies," CLE Program (February 2006)
- Speaker, "The New Business Amendments to the Bankruptcy Code," CLE Program (November 2005)