James V. Davidson

Jim advises issuers and underwriters on a wide range of US and international capital markets transactions, including IPOs, other equity offerings, and convertible and investment-grade debt issuances.

He has worked on transactions in a variety of industries, from banking and real estate to shipping and energy. He also advises corporate clients in areas including corporate governance and SEC and Sarbanes-Oxley matters, and advises investment banks on securities-law-related matters. Chambers USA notes that clients have described him as “outstanding,” “a very strong lawyer,” and “very experienced.” And clients have told The Legal 500 US that he “is a superb attorney and is responsive to our request,” “very responsive and has a great knowledge of the SEC laws and regulations,” “extremely professional, always makes himself available and provides sound, well thought-out advice,” and his “outstanding legal expertise, combined with his practical business acumen make him a valuable asset to our team” (2021).

In addition, as shown in Bloomberg’s Global Legal Adviser league tables, Jim is one of the country’s most active and experienced REIT capital markets lawyers. Over the past five years, he has been named counsel on more REIT IPOs than all but a handful of lawyers in the country, according to Deal Point Data LLC. The Legal 500 US has recognized him as “singled out by clients for his ‘outstanding legal expertise’ and significant experience of REIT IPOs” (2021).

Relevant Experience

  • Since joining the firm in 2011, Jim has advised on over 200 REIT transactions, aggregating to nearly $60 billion in gross proceeds.
  • Jim has been named counsel on more REIT IPOs over the past five years than all but five lawyers in the country, including the last three consecutive listed REIT IPOs.
  • Jim regularly advises on complex or novel REIT financings and industries, including capped call and equity forward transactions, the only postal REIT, and the first Mexican FIBRA.
  • Represents issuers and investment banks in connection with public and private offerings of common and preferred equity and senior and convertible debt securities, including initial public offerings, follow-on offerings, “at the market” offerings, tender offers and Rule 144A and Regulation D private placements.
  • Experience in Latin American, Asian and European cross-border transactions.
  • Represents some of the largest public mortgage REITs, hospitality REITs, office REITs, multifamily REITs, banking institutions and mortgage lenders.
  • Represents public and private companies in connection with mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, PIPEs, and other strategic transactions.
  • Advises issuers with respect to ongoing compliance with SEC disclosure obligations, NYSE and NASDAQ listing requirements, and corporate governance matters.
  • Advises management teams, boards of directors, and special committees on fiduciary duty considerations, conflict of interest transactions, and change of control transactions.

Awards & Recognition

  • Named Best Lawyer in Securities/Capital Markets Law, The Best Lawyers in America, 2024
  • Recognized as Next Generation Partner for Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (2021-2023) and Recommended Lawyer (2017-2019), Legal 500 United States
  • Recognized as a Leader in REITs, USA-Nationwide, Chambers USA, 2021-2023
  • Listed for Real Estate Investment Trusts, Legal 500 United States, 2018-2019
  • Recommended for Capital Markets - Equity Offerings (2018-2019, 2023) and Capital Markets - Debt Offerings (2023), Legal 500 United States, 2018-2019

Insights