Departments

Phone: 312.873.3697
Fax: 312.873.2997

James R. Asmussen

Shareholder
For over 20 years, James (Jim) Asmussen has provided legal and business advice and counsel to both large established and newly-formed companies.  He often acts as general outside counsel to his clients, many of which are in the technology, software, healthcare, and food service industries.  Mr. Asmussen's experience is as a corporate, securities and transactional lawyer, with an emphasis on merger and acquisitions transactions, private equity and venture capital transactions, entity formation and start-up, bank lending (representing either the bank or the borrower) and licensing.  Mr. Asmussen has represented senior level executives in negotiating their employment and separation from their companies.  Mr. Asmussen's approach to contested business issues is seeking to find collaborative and innovative solutions that result in getting a transaction accomplished.  Mr. Asmussen's greatest job satisfaction is feeling that he is a part of his client's management team and that he is able to help them overcome the many challenges that a growing company encounters on the road to building a successful business.

Memberships and Affiliations

  • Illinois State Bar Association
  • Chicago Bar Association
    • Business Law Section

Experience

  • Mr. Asmussen acts as general counsel to many closely held private businesses
  • Assisted many growing companies in "private placements" to raise equity
  • Represented software and technology company in venture capital transaction for $10 million in private equity
  • Represented various business services companies in connection with sale of family held companies in deals valued between $5 and $30 million
  • Represented local product manufacturer in sale of business exceeding $300 million in value
  • Represented software and technology companies in connection with acquisition and/or sale transactions
  • Represented emerging technology and software companies in connection with formation, private equity offerings, and/or venture funding transaction
  • Represented food service companies in connection with consolidations and combinations
  • Represented food service companies in connection with formation of specialized industry peer group
  • Represented leading Chicago-based broker dealer firm in connection with several acquisitions of other broker dealer firms in deals individually valued between $10 and $50 million
  • Represented multiple banks and borrowers in commercial loan transactions
  • Represented a leading restaurant chain in corporate matters and corporate development activities
  • Represented consumer product manufacturer in international sale transaction
  • Represented a senior executive officer of a Fortune 100 in employment and separation agreements

Publications & Presentations

April 15, 2011
2011 Edition - Presented by Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
2008
Business Law Series Vol. IV: Mergers and Acquisitions
2008 Supplement (IICLE, 2008) (with co-author Jeremy Stonehill)