James is an associate in the Tax, Employee Benefits, and Trusts and Estates Practice Group in the firm’s Orange County office.
James focuses his practice on trust administration, tax-efficient estate planning, wealth transfer strategies, and estate and gift taxation for high net worth individuals and families. He also advises on the tax aspects of business and succession planning for closely held businesses and family-owned enterprises, helping clients connect their estate plans with their broader family and business goals.
Prior to joining Sheppard, James spent eight years as an M&A, real estate transactional, and corporate attorney, where he advised clients on complex business transactions and structuring issues. That deal-oriented background, along with prior litigation experience, gives him a practical perspective for approaching tax and estate planning that accounts for both the legal and commercial realities his clients face.