James joined Mackenzie Hughes in 2014 and is a partner in the firm’s Business Department. He represents public companies, private companies, private investment funds and investment banks in a wide spectrum of matters, including mergers & acquisitions, capital markets, commercial lending, commercial contracts, ongoing securities law compliance and corporate governance. James frequently represents lenders and borrowers in connection with commercial finance transactions, including asset-backed and cash flow financings. He also represents a number of technology start-up companies in Central New York and beyond. In his spare time, James enjoys fishing, snorkeling and skiing. He also enjoys playing sports with his two sons.
Practice Areas
- Banking & Financial Institutions
- Business
- Emerging Business
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Public Companies
- Public Finance
- Public Law & Policy
- Public Officers
- Securities
Professional and Community Activities
Current:
- Board member at the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University
- Board member at Museum of Science and Technology Foundation
- Active member of the Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network
- Serves as a youth baseball and basketball coach
- Frequent speaker at conferences and industry events relating to corporate and securities law
- Author of numerous articles concerning current trends and developments in corporate and securities law
Education
- Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial and Labor Relations, Cornell University
- Juris Doctorate, Cum Laude from the University of Pennsylvania
Admissions
- New York State Bar
Experience
- Representing clients in domestic and cross-border mergers, stock sales, asset sales and joint ventures, and representing investment banks in connection with the delivery of fairness opinions
- Representing issuers, placement agents and underwriters in public and private debt and equity offerings, tender offers, exchange offers, PIPEs, at-the-market offerings and registered direct offerings
- Representing clients with respect to distribution, supply, and franchise agreement matters. James regularly counsels clients with respect to SEC filings and Dodd-Frank Act compliance
- 13 years practicing corporate law in New York City, the last 10 of which were at the law firm of Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP
News
CNY Business Journal shares recent email reminding clients the CTA filing deadline is approaching
The Central New York Business Journal recently shared the Mackenzie Hughes blog and email written by Richard C. Engel and James H. Nicoll on the upcoming Corporate Transparency Act deadline approaching at the end of the year. Read the CNY Business Journal’s article here and read the original blog and email here. Email Add to […]
Mackenzie Hughes Thanks Anne B. Ruffer for her leadership role, Elects Richard C. Engel Managing Partner, Appoints James H. Nicoll Business Department Chair
Attorney Anne B. Ruffer electively stepped down as the firm’s Managing Partner effective December 31, 2023, after serving in that role for six years. During that time, she oversaw the day-to-day firm operations, worked in supporting the firm’s various practice areas, managed its fiscal responsibility, encouraged attorneys’ community involvement, and advanced the firm’s positive culture. […]
Nine Mackenzie Hughes Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers
Nine attorneys from Mackenzie Hughes LLP were recognized in the 2023 edition of Super Lawyers. Those recognized as “Super Lawyers” include: Clayton H. Hale, Jr., tax; Stephen T. Helmer, business litigation, personal injury – medical malpractice, civil litigation; Ami S. Longstreet, elder law, estate planning & probate; Jillian L. McGuire, family law; Edward J. Moses, […]
Blog
Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) filing deadline is approaching
The Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) was enacted January 1, 2021, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, representing the most significant reformation of the Bank Secrecy Act and related anti–money laundering rules since the U.S. Patriot Act. The CTA is intended to address and guard against money laundering, terrorism financing, and other forms of […]
Corporate Transparency Act – Deadline Approaching
This is a follow up to our April post regarding the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), the New York State equivalent statute, the New York LLC Transparency Act (NYLTA) and the new guidance issued by regulatory authorities governing these statutes. As previously noted, the landscape surrounding these statutes remain in-flux and this update is intended to […]
The Corporate Transparency Act and the New York LLC Transparency Act
There has been much written about the federal Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and the lawsuits surrounding it, along with the New York State equivalent statute, the New York LLC Transparency Act (NYLTA). The landscape of the CTA is shifting fast and the following is to give you an overview of the current status of these […]