Jim grew up in Spencer, South Dakota, and attended South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1974. Jim then attended law school at the University of South Dakota where he was Managing Editor of the South Dakota Law Review. He graduated from law school in 1977 and served as law clerk for the Hon. Fred J. Nichol, Chief Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota. Jim joined the firm in 1978. He is a member of the American Bar Association and the State Bar of South Dakota, where he served as Commissioner from 1981-1984, and Chairman of the Business, Banking and Corporation Committee from 1987-1989. He is also a member of the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. Jim practices primarily in the areas of business law, real estate, banking, commercial law and telecommunications.