Jim Fipp

Jim advises clients on a broad range of business and corporate matters, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions. He simplifies complex legal issues so his clients can focus on running their businesses.

Mergers + Acquisitions

Jim represents private companies, public companies, fund-less sponsors, business owners, private equity clients, and individuals in auction processes and proprietary deals on both buy-side and sell-side transactions. He works on deals ranging in value from hundreds of thousands of dollars to billions of dollars, with experience across a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, distribution, oil and gas, mining, construction, technology, software, media and entertainment, marketing services, healthcare, food and beverage, consumer packaged goods, and marine transportation.

Organization + General Corporate

When clients are launching a new venture, Jim guides them through the choice-of-entity decision and handles the subsequent formation work, drafting bylaws, shareholder agreements, and operating agreements tailored to how the business will run. As those companies grow, he stays on as a resource for the corporate matters that come up along the way, from structuring equity compensation programs (profits interests, stock options, phantom equity) to negotiating the commercial contracts that keep the business moving, including master services agreements, independent contractor agreements, and data licensing arrangements.

Financing + Capital Markets

Jim represents both sides of the investment table: companies raising money and the angel and venture capital investors putting it in. His work spans the typical tools founders and investors use to get a deal done, including convertible debt, SAFEs, and preferred and common stock financings.

Relevant Work Experience

Prior to joining BHGR, Jim spent eight years in private practice at the international law firm of Hogan Lovells US LLP, where he represented clients in a wide range of corporate and transactional matters. While at Hogan Lovells, Jim was seconded to WhiteWave Foods Company for a year as senior mergers and acquisitions counsel, collaborating with WhiteWave’s executive team to advance its vision through strategic acquisitions.

Before going to law school, Jim worked for Cargill, Inc., a leading agriculture company. At Cargill, he directed business operations for various districts within the Animal Nutrition Division. This experience proved invaluable for understanding the issues private and public companies face in running their daily operations, engaging in commercial transactions, and strategic planning for the future.

More About Jim

Jim utilizes his business and financial experience in his leadership role as a member of BHGR’s Management Committee.