James Grass
Irvine,California
Summary
Highly knowledgeable Corporate Counsel with experience in corporate law, including compliance, contract negotiation, and risk management. Known for clear communication skills and strategic legal advice that supports business objectives. Demonstrated ability to lead legal teams and drive positive outcomes in previous roles.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President, Corporate Counsel
BOLDYN NETWORKS (f/k/a Mobilitie)
Irvine
10.2011 - Current
- In this capacity, my focus was on expert legal advice, legal risk management and supporting the achievement of business goals pertaining to telecommunications infrastructure financing, installation, operation and management.
- As an instrumental, original member, I played a key role in expanding Mobilitie's in-house legal department from 2 attorneys to 10.
- Advised executive team on strategic business matters, impacting company's core operations and decision-making processes.
- Streamlined telecommunications infrastructure deployment through expert negotiation of 100+ real estate entitlements and regulatory authorizations
- Served as lead U.S. in-house attorney for Mobilitie's acquisition of Signal Point Systems and subsequent divestment of Signal Point System's communications towers construction, maintenance, and repair division.
- Led In-house legal for Boldyn Network's $640M credit facility refinancing, securing funds for strategic expansion.
- Drafted and negotiated 1000+ vendor services, consulting, software license, and non-disclosure agreements.
- Led a team of 6 attorneys and 1 paralegal, enhancing drafting and negotiation efficiency for over 150 right-of-way permits and leases, resulting in a 20% faster turnaround time.
- Formed and registered corporate entities while effectively managing corporate organization and structure.
- Managed and delegated tasks to external counsel, resulting in a 20% faster resolution of certain transactional, regulatory, and litigation issues.
- Negotiated settlement agreements with third parties, cutting company's litigation expenses by $500K+.
- Served as the dedicated legal resource to Mobilitie's Founder for ancillary business ventures, including Villa Real Estate, Key Escrow, Chihuahua Cerveza, ioXt, and Boardwalk Investments.
ioXt
10.2018 - 09.2021
- Served as dedicated legal counsel for ioXt, an IoT security standards company
- Processed corporate formation and registration of ioXt, LLC and ioXt Alliance, Inc., and secured IRS 501(c)(6) status for ioXt Alliance within 6 months
- Negotiated Board of Directors Agreements for ioXt Alliance, securing key partnerships with Amazon, Google, Meta, and Honeywell, among others
- Facilitated partnerships with eight authorized labs to test IoT products, ensuring adherence to ioXt security benchmarks.
Chihuahua Brewing Company
09.2017 - 09.2021
- Served as lead legal counsel for Chihuahua Brewing Company (Chihuahua Cerveza), a Mexican lager beer company
- Facilitated the formation of Delaware entities and completed foreign state registrations in 30+ jurisdictions, broadening operational scope
- Navigated regulatory requirements to obtain beer sales licenses in 22 states, boosting distribution footprint over 600% year over year
- Negotiated and secured over 30 distribution agreements, expanding product availability in 22 markets
- Drafted and negotiated over 50 marketing and vendor agreements, expanding the company's visibility and reducing operational costs
- Secured a lucrative deal by crafting and negotiating a Brewing and Branding License, resulting in projected yearly royalties of $900,000.
Boardwalk Investments Group
09.2012 - 09.2021
- Served as lead counsel for Boardwalk Investments Group, Mobilitie Founder's real estate portfolio company
- Assisted with acquisitions, sales, management and renovations of large commercial and residential real estate portfolio
- Drafted and negotiated lease agreements for retail/office buildings and residential units, and construction agreements for large scale renovation projects.
Key Escrow
11.2013 - 12.2014
- Created and managed supplemental escrow company, Key Escrow
- Spearheaded incorporation and secured escrow license from California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation in 7 months, beating the estimated 9+ months timeline
- Streamlined operations by hiring and overseeing a skilled team of two escrow officers and one sales rep, achieving a 30% capture rate of all Villa Real Estate transactions.
Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Villa Real Estate
09.2012 - 12.2014
- Assisted in the founding and creation of a new, luxury residential real estate brokerage from the ground up
- Supervised day-to-day operations of the company, which included a staff of twenty and over one hundred real estate agents.
Counsel, Real Estate Law Group
SPRINT NEXTEL
Irvine
03.2007 - 10.2011
- Provided legal support to Sprint Nextel employees and contractors in the negotiation and documentation of transactions involving real property entitlements and assisted in the resolution of disputes in those areas
- Provided expert legal guidance throughout 50+ site development projects, enabling successful planning, zoning, and construction of wireless telecom facilities
- Drafted and secured approval for over 150 lease and license agreements, driving the expansion of Sprint Nextel's wireless network throughout the U.S
- Southwest
- Resolved 50+ disputes for Property Services Group, enhancing landlord relationships and reducing resolution time and legal costs
- Negotiated and facilitated sales of Sprint Nextel's wireless communications facilities and other assets
- Contributed to expansion of Sprint Nextel's wireless network by assisting in the acquisition of key real estate properties.
Partner
KIMBALL, TIREY & ST. JOHN
Newport Beach
08.1998 - 03.2007
- Managed of a large caseload of pending litigation and transactional real estate matters
- And advised property management firms and property owners
- Maintained a portfolio of between 150 and 200 active cases, generating six-figure fee income
- Crafted and implemented distinct strategies for assisting property owners and agents with legal issues
- Reduced potential legal liabilities for clients in breach of lease, fair housing, Proposition 65, and mold matters through proactive preventative law guidance
- Negotiated terms and conditions of settlement, pre and post litigation, reducing case duration and legal fees for clients.
Property Manager
MERIDIAN ASSET MANAGEMENT
Santa Ana
01.1996 - 08.1998
- Managed P&L responsibility for a portfolio of single family to multi-unit residential housing
- Recruited, hired and managed managerial and maintenance staff and other employees
- Implemented cost-effective maintenance programs, leading to Enhanced property value and increased profitability.
Education
J.D. -
Whittier College School of Law
Los Angeles, CA01.1995
B.S. -
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA01.1991
Skills
- Process Improvement
- Negotiation and Persuasion
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Staff Development
- Risk Management
- Contract Negotiation
- Training and mentoring
- Critical Thinking
- Microsoft Office
Affiliations
- Spending time with family and friends.
- Hiking and exercise.
- Reading.
Accomplishments
- Promoted to Vice President within 18 months of joining Boldyn.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
ioXt
10.2018 - 09.2021
Chihuahua Brewing Company
09.2017 - 09.2021
Key Escrow
11.2013 - 12.2014
Boardwalk Investments Group
09.2012 - 09.2021
Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Villa Real Estate
09.2012 - 12.2014
Vice President, Corporate Counsel
BOLDYN NETWORKS (f/k/a Mobilitie)
10.2011 - Current
Counsel, Real Estate Law Group
SPRINT NEXTEL
03.2007 - 10.2011
Partner
KIMBALL, TIREY & ST. JOHN
08.1998 - 03.2007
Property Manager
MERIDIAN ASSET MANAGEMENT
01.1996 - 08.1998
J.D. -
Whittier College School of Law
B.S. -
San Diego State University
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