Primarily serving as general counsel, James Schwarz advises clients—ranging from early stage start-up companies to companies on the New York Stock Exchange—on business organization and transactional matters. He helps clients form entities, structure transactions and negotiate for the acquisition of entities or their assets, and in the sale and disposition of the assets of client companies. Mr. Schwarz also advises clients on a broad range of business matters, including corporate law, financial transactions, litigation management, real estate acquisitions and divestitures, lease negotiations, mergers and acquisitions, risk management, environmental law compliance and corporate governance. He also negotiates and drafts various types of commercial contracts, including real estate leases and purchase agreements.

Before joining Patton Boggs, Mr. Schwarz served in a number of corporate leadership roles, where he was responsible for legal matters of parent companies and their subsidiaries. In these roles, he regularly managed complex litigation, administered major mergers and acquisitions and prepared securities documents. Additionally, Mr. Schwarz managed site selection, reviewed and negotiated leases for new store locations and negotiated sales/leaseback transactions. He has also held operational responsibility for a retail division.

 
Professional Affiliations:

• Former Senior Vice-President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Steuart Petroleum Company
• Former Executive Vice-President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary, Dart Drug Stores
• Former Executive Vice-President, Senior Vice-President, and General Counsel, Peoples Drug Stores, Inc.
• Northern Virginia Technology Council
• Mason Enterprise Center Advisory Board, George Mason University