James M. Drake

Of Counsel
Chicago
70 West Madison Street
Suite 3000
Chicago, IL 60602
P 312.582.1624
F 312.580.1201
P 312.582.1624 | F 312.580.1201



Overview

Jim, an attorney in our Corporate, Tax and Transactional practice group, represents banks, developers, contractors and small and middle market businesses with all of their commercial, corporate, contract, and transactional needs, including serving as outside general counsel for many of his clients. Jim is experienced in providing legal representation on matters such as asset based and real estate lending, mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, complex contract negotiation, corporate financing, organizational structuring, maintenance and compliance, real estate leasing and acquisition and employment matters.

Experience

Mergers and Acquisitions

  • Represented multiple related and unrelated manufacturers and distributors of non-lethal projectiles and weapons in combined sales of assets to a single purchaser in a single transaction
  • Represented world’s largest water treatment product manufacturer in numerous acquisitions of product lines, manufacturing and distribution facilities, and technology; also worked with client to structure and document product and technology development and licensing agreements
  • Served as lead counsel in more than 75 acquisitions and divestitures of stock or assets of entities in diverse industries

Finance

  • Structured and documented asset based loans, debt restructuring arrangements, and forbearance agreements for both borrowers and national, regional, and state banks
  • Represented medical product financing company in (a) equipment lease and loan transactions, (b) acquisitions of diagnostic imaging and other health care facilities in lieu of foreclosure and (c) the sale of its portfolio of diagnostic imaging centers
  • Documented the financing for construction of a hotel in a historic landmark building in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for clients who are Chinese nationals investing in the United States under the Department of Homeland Security EB-5 program
  • Represented national and regional banks and non-institutional lenders in distressed loan restructuring transactions, including perfecting liens against additional collateral, acquiring collateral in lieu of foreclosures and conducting UCC sales

International Transactions

  • Advised European university in establishing online MBA program and online learning portals with University of Chicago, Columbia University, Duke University, and other major American universities; prepared and negotiated partnership agreements, trademark licenses, patent licenses, and financing documentation
  • Established joint ventures for the manufacture and distribution of various types of products in South and Central America, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Australia, and Korea, including licensing of trademarks, patents, and other intellectual property

General Corporate Representation

  • Served as principal counsel for a large, family-owned, Illinois manufacturing company, with manufacturing facilities throughout the world, including handling governance, compliance, and secretarial responsibilities for client and its foreign subsidiaries, maintaining corporate record books and attending and conducting board and shareholder meetings
  • Represented global shoe manufacturer in outsourcing of all warehousing and logistics services throughout North America
  • Represented apparel manufacturers, video game publishers and developers, and musical instrument manufacturer in preparing and negotiating celebrity endorsement, product development, and technology, software, and content licensing agreements
Services

Industries

Education

  1. DePaul University College of Law, J.D.
    • Member, DePaul Law Review
    • Graduate level course work in Taxation
  2. University of Michigan, B.A., Political Science

Credentials

Bar Admissions
  1. Illinois
Court Admissions
  1. U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois

Recognitions

  • Recognized as an Illinois Leading Lawyer (2006-2013)
  • Rated as AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale Hubbell 

Affiliations

Community Affiliations
  • Illinois 10th Legislative District Election Protection Team

Insights

Overview

Jim, an attorney in our Corporate, Tax and Transactional practice group, represents banks, developers, contractors and small and middle market businesses with all of their commercial, corporate, contract, and transactional needs, including serving as outside general counsel for many of his clients. Jim is experienced in providing legal representation on matters such as asset based and real estate lending, mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, complex contract negotiation, corporate financing, organizational structuring, maintenance and compliance, real estate leasing and acquisition and employment matters.

Experience

Mergers and Acquisitions

  • Represented multiple related and unrelated manufacturers and distributors of non-lethal projectiles and weapons in combined sales of assets to a single purchaser in a single transaction
  • Represented world’s largest water treatment product manufacturer in numerous acquisitions of product lines, manufacturing and distribution facilities, and technology; also worked with client to structure and document product and technology development and licensing agreements
  • Served as lead counsel in more than 75 acquisitions and divestitures of stock or assets of entities in diverse industries

Finance

  • Structured and documented asset based loans, debt restructuring arrangements, and forbearance agreements for both borrowers and national, regional, and state banks
  • Represented medical product financing company in (a) equipment lease and loan transactions, (b) acquisitions of diagnostic imaging and other health care facilities in lieu of foreclosure and (c) the sale of its portfolio of diagnostic imaging centers
  • Documented the financing for construction of a hotel in a historic landmark building in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for clients who are Chinese nationals investing in the United States under the Department of Homeland Security EB-5 program
  • Represented national and regional banks and non-institutional lenders in distressed loan restructuring transactions, including perfecting liens against additional collateral, acquiring collateral in lieu of foreclosures and conducting UCC sales

International Transactions

  • Advised European university in establishing online MBA program and online learning portals with University of Chicago, Columbia University, Duke University, and other major American universities; prepared and negotiated partnership agreements, trademark licenses, patent licenses, and financing documentation
  • Established joint ventures for the manufacture and distribution of various types of products in South and Central America, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Australia, and Korea, including licensing of trademarks, patents, and other intellectual property

General Corporate Representation

  • Served as principal counsel for a large, family-owned, Illinois manufacturing company, with manufacturing facilities throughout the world, including handling governance, compliance, and secretarial responsibilities for client and its foreign subsidiaries, maintaining corporate record books and attending and conducting board and shareholder meetings
  • Represented global shoe manufacturer in outsourcing of all warehousing and logistics services throughout North America
  • Represented apparel manufacturers, video game publishers and developers, and musical instrument manufacturer in preparing and negotiating celebrity endorsement, product development, and technology, software, and content licensing agreements

Education

  1. DePaul University College of Law, J.D.
    • Member, DePaul Law Review
    • Graduate level course work in Taxation
  2. University of Michigan, B.A., Political Science

Credentials

Bar Admissions
  1. Illinois
Court Admissions
  1. U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois

Recognitions

  • Recognized as an Illinois Leading Lawyer (2006-2013)
  • Rated as AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale Hubbell 

Affiliations

Community Affiliations
  • Illinois 10th Legislative District Election Protection Team