Picture of Jim Butler

Jim Butler is a founding partner of JMBM and one of the top hotel lawyers in the world. Devoting 100% of his practice to hospitality, Jim is author of www.HotelLawBlog.com and chairman of the Global Hospitality Group® which focuses on representing hotel owners, developers, and lenders. 

Jim and his team have helped clients as business and legal advisors on more than $71 billion of hotel purchase, sale, financing, and other transactions, involving more than 3,800 properties all over the world. In the last 18 months, they have closed more than $1.5 billion of EB-5 financing and sourced more than half of that for our clients

In addition to acquisitions, dispositions and financing, the Group handles ADA compliance and defense, hotel mixed-use development, labor and employment, management, branding and franchise agreements and litigation. With experience gained from more than 1,000 bankruptcies, receiverships and workouts, they use innovative solutions to unlock and create value for lenders and opportunistic investors for distressed assets.

Education

J.D., University of California, Berkeley School of Law
Berkeley Order of the Coif, Editor, California Law Review

A.B., University of California, Berkeley
Great Distinction (highest academic designation), Phi Beta Kappa and Pi Sigma Alpha

Bar Admissions State Bar of California
State Bar of Nevada
Associations

Member, International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC)

Founder and Seminar Chair, The Hospitality Industry Forum, 1991-present

Faculty, University of California, Los Angeles Extension

Faculty, University of Southern California, Advanced Professional Program

Awards & Recognition
  • Listed, Los Angeles Magazine's Southern California Super Lawyer, 2009-2018
  • Named by the Daily Journal as one of California's Top Real Estate Attorneys, 2012
  • Listed, Daily Journal's California Real Estate Deal Makers, 2011
  • Listed, Corporate Counsel Super Lawyer, May 2010
Hotel Law Blog
More»