James B. Devine

James B. Devine is the firm’s managing partner and head of the Business Law Department. James was born in suburban New Jersey and raised in the inner city of Chicago, Illinois. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from DePaul University in Chicago in 1994 and his Juris Doctor from the University of San Francisco School of Law in 1999. During law school, two of James’ articles were published in the University of San Francisco Maritime Law Journal. James served as the Survey and Index Editor for USF’s Maritime Law Journal from 1997 to 1999. James also worked as the Student Bar Association’s Civil Procedure tutor during his last two years of law school. James won the award for obtaining the highest graded in his legal writing and research class in 1996 and for having the best oral argument in the school’s moot court competition in 1998.

James represents small and medium size businesses and their owners, many of whom work in the construction industry, in all aspects of their business operations. James assists our clients form, license, and maintain associations, corporations, non-profit organizations, partnerships, and limited liability companies to operate in California, Nevada, and Arizona. James’ experience and background help the client determine which entity is best for them with an eye towards the start of the business, its operation and maintenance, and the client’s eventual “exit plan.”

James drafts, negotiates, and reviews construction contracts for public and private projects, shareholder agreements, asset acquisition agreements, real and personal property leases, agreements for secured and unsecured financing, and many other business agreements. James has extensive experience with AIR, AIA and AGC contract documents. James also handles fictitious business name filings.

James also assists our clients resolve disputes on commercial, residential and public works projects, including disputes over payment, change orders, back charges, delays, acceleration, and punch list completion. James has arbitrated, mediated and litigated these construction disputes leading to the collection of substantial sums for our clients. James has also defended our clients when their own customers have challenged the quality of the work performed. James has also represented contractors in Contractors State License Board administrative hearings in claims from homeowner clients and has represented homeowners in hearings against unlicensed contractors.

James has also argued civil and criminal appeals before the Appellate Court of California and bankruptcy appeals before the United States District Court.

James is admitted to practice in California State Courts and the Central, Eastern, Northern and Southern Federal Districts of California. James is a member of the National Legal Committee for NORML and a member of CaNORML.

When he is not working, James enjoys spending time as a proud father and husband with his family, dabbling with home improvement projects, and rooting for the Dodgers and his hometown Bears, Bulls, and Cubs.