Overview
James Cass is a corporate lawyer whose practice focuses on finance transactions, equity investments and general capitalization, governance and corporate matters. He co-chairs the firm’s Private Credit Practice Group.
James advises business development companies, small business investment companies, banks and borrowers in a broad variety of financing transactions, including in connection with structuring, negotiating, documenting and administering senior secured, unitranche, second lien and mezzanine credit facilities. He is experienced with complex capitalization structures and regularly represents institutional investors in connection with minority equity investments and related governance matters. James brings a collaborative approach to his practice, respectfully engaging with all parties to arrive at practical solutions that serve and protect the interests of his clients.
Experience
- Represented lead arranger and lender in connection with underwritten unitranche secured credit facilities in support of sponsor-backed acquisition of nationwide thrift store retailer and subsequent add-on acquisition and capitalization activity with a minority equity co-investment.
- Represented a business development company, small business investment company and affiliated investment vehicles in connection with sponsor-backed acquisition of an executive search firm and related add-on acquisitions.
- Represented a small business investment company in connection with underwritten mezzanine credit facilities in support of a sponsor-backed acquisition of a nationwide property security services provider.
- Advised small business investment companies as co-lenders in connection with first lien and second lien financing of a sponsor-backed acquisition of a leading provider of tech-enabled hospitality and entertainment services.
- Advised a small business investment company in connection with negotiated resolution of distressed debt workout, resulting in smooth ownership transition of contract cosmetics manufacturer.
Accolades
Honors & Recognitions
- North Carolina Super Lawyers, Rising Star, banking, 2014-19
Affiliations
Professional Affiliations
- Mecklenburg County Bar, Law & Society Committee, 2018-22
- Mecklenburg Bar Foundation, Board of Directors, 2017-21
- Mecklenburg County Bar Leadership Institute, Class of 2016
Community Affiliations
- Sustain Charlotte, Board of Directors, 2020-25
News & Events
News
Education
University of Virginia, J.D., 2009, Order of the Coif; Executive Editor, Virginia Law Review, 2008-09
University of Connecticut, B.S., cum laude, 2006
University of Connecticut, B.S.E., 2006
Bar Admissions
- North Carolina