James W. Morrissey

James Morrissey serves as outside general counsel to banks, thrifts and other financial services companies throughout the Midwest and nationally, providing practical advice on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising transactions, corporate governance and regulatory compliance matters.

Jim has successfully represented both public and private banks in numerous bank acquisitions, asset sales and IPOs, including complex sale transactions involving nontraditional acquirers.

With respect to corporate transactions, Jim focuses on identifying and negotiating key issues that enable clients to complete deals aligned with their strategic goals. In regulatory matters, he effectively interacts with clients and government agencies to achieve desired outcomes, often de-escalating tense regulatory discussions through practical collaboration.

Jim focuses on cost-effective game plans, including parallel paths when appropriate, to help his clients achieve their business goals. In regulatory matters, he negotiates efficiently with government agencies to achieve the desired result. His 15 years serving on the board of directors of a community bank has given him valuable insight into director responsibilities and perspectives on both corporate opportunities and regulatory compliance matters.

Experience

• Represented a publicly traded bank in numerous bank acquisitions that have positioned the client as a market leader in its primary banking markets.
• Represented a privately held nonbank financial services company in its acquisition of a bank and its resulting designation as a financial holding company engaged in both banking and nonbank financial services activities.
• Represented a publicly traded bank in its strategic acquisition of a target institution, resulting in a significant expansion of the client's presence in a key market.
• Represented a bank in a $53 million Initial Public Offering of common stock and conversion transaction.
• Assisted a bank in negotiating and completing a complex asset sale to a nontraditional acquirer.