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James W. Perkins’ practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and arbitration with an emphasis in real estate, business structures and governance, construction, creditor’s rights, financial transactions, commercial paper, trust and estates, and insurer rights. He also has broad experience in antitrust and mergers and acquisitions litigation, among others.

Jim is active in pro bono matters including the representation of a major religious institution.

Concentrations

All phases of complex commercial litigation and arbitration with emphasis in:

  • Commercial transactions
  • Real estate
  • Business structures and governance
  • Land use
  • Construction
  • Creditor/Debtor rights
  • Religion and property rights
  • Commercial paper
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Damages

Capabilities

Experience

 
  • Represent owners and users of real estate interests in complex disputes concerning leasing, purchase and sale, development, construction, finance, and brokerage.
  • Represent real property owners and ground lessees in land and leasehold valuation litigation and arbitration.
  • Represent real property owners, developers in land use disputes.
  • Represent constituents of various partnerships, corporations and limited liability companies regarding disputes over ownership, structure and management control.
  • Represent various financial institutions concerning disputes involving loans and commercial paper including letters of credit, notes and guaranties. 
  • Represent insurance carrier in prosecution of fraud and other breach claims against providers and their agents.
  • Represent creditors in enforcement of defaulted sovereign and commercial debt.
  • Represent major religious institution in various disputes including constitutional and property rights.
  • Represented resulting trust in recovery of corporate benefits awarded on eve of bankruptcy.
  • Represented major financial institution in corporate control contest over film studio.
  • Represented real estate venture partner in dispute over construction of Manhattan office tower and restructuring of partnership.
  • General Counsel/Vice President, Metropole Realty Advisors, Inc., 1997-1998
  • White & Case, New York, 1987-1997

Recognition & Leadership

  • Team Member, a Law360 "Real Estate Practice Group of the Year," 2023
  • Team Member, U.S. News - Best Lawyers®, Best Law Firms Edition, "Law Firm of the Year," Real Estate - Litigation, 2017 and 2022
  • Recipient, "Cornerstone Award for Pro Bono Excellence," Lawyers Alliance for New York, October 2014
  • Recipient, 2011 Distinguished Trustee Award, New York Methodist Hospital, May 2011
  • Featured, Daily Business Review, Most Effective Lawyers, International Law Division, December 2007
  • Chancellor, New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, 2020-Presnet
  • Chairman and Member, Advisory Board, New York Presbyterian – Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, 2008-Present
  • Member, Board of Directors, Gracie Square Hospital, Manhattan, 2024-Present
  • Member, Board of Directors, The Rogosin Institute, 2022-Present
  • Member and Past President, Board of Directors, The United Methodist City Society, 1988-Present
  • Member, American Bar Association, Litigation Section, 1988-Present

Credentials

Education
  • J.D., cum laude, American University Washington College of Law, 1987
    • Note and Comment Editor, American University Law Review
  • B.A., History and Political Science, cum laude, Ohio Wesleyan University, 1983
Admissions
  • New York
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • Supreme Court of the United States

Related Capabilities

Commercial Litigation Litigation Retail Real Estate Operations Trade Secrets Real Estate Litigation Construction Law Real Estate Mergers & Acquisitions Disputes Asset Recovery & Fraud Remediation Corporate Governance & Compliance