Mr. Fitter has extensive experience representing issuers in connection with public and private offerings of equity, debt and convertible securities and their compliance with the reporting, proxy, tender offer, anti-fraud and insider trading provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. He also actively advises corporations in many different businesses regarding matters of state corporation law and represents such corporations with respect to mergers and acquisitions and disputes with shareholders, employees and others. Additionally, Jim is experienced in asset securitizations, formation and structuring of new business entities, and "roll-up" transactions.

Jim also has extensive experience in banking law, including regulatory issues, new charters, acquisitions and mergers, troubled banks, transactions with affiliates and Bank Holding Company Act issues.

Jim also has represented organizers of two different commercial mortgage loan securitization conduits in forming the necessary business entities and negotiating equity and debt financing, and subsequently represented one of the conduits in the $1.1 billion securitization of its loans and the public offering of the securities.

Mr. Fitter serves on the Executive Committee and is General Counsel of Lathrop & Gage L.C.