An attorney at Krass Monroe, P.A., Jim is Co-Chair of the firm’s Franchise, Distribution and Intellectual Property group. His practice concentrates on structuring, documenting, registering and implementing franchise and distribution programs, as well as registering and protecting clients’ trademark and copyright interests.

Jim has represented franchisors for almost 20 years, providing counsel on matters including:

• Agreements and disclosure documents for domestic and international transactions

• Negotiating and closing franchise transactions

• Distribution systems

• Franchise registrations and regulatory compliance

• Business formation

• Growth strategies

• Mergers and acquisitions

• Technology law matters

• General corporate and business law

Jim also assists clients in building and protecting their brand names and other intellectual property assets. He counsels clients in the selection and clearance of new trademarks, obtains federal registration of trademarks and copyrights, drafts license, confidentiality and other agreements, and represents businesses in unfair competition, trade secret misappropriation and infringement disputes. In addition, he represents commercial lenders in connection with portfolio acquisitions, franchise financing transactions and real estate financing matters. 

He is admitted to the Bar in Minnesota and the United States District Cout, District of Minnesota and is a member of the Minnesota State, Hennepin County and American Bar Associations.  Jim is also a member of the Legal Legislative Committee of the International Franchise Association.  He has been selected as a "Super Lawyer" and listed in Who's Who in Intellectual Property" by Minnesota Law & Politics magazine and honored as a "Legal Eagle" by Franchise Times magazine.

Jim is a graduate of Minnesota State University – Mankato (B.S., summa cum laude, 1978) and the University of Minnesota Law School (J.D., cum laude, 1985).