Professionals

James C. D. Wahls is a member of L&M's Corporate Services Practice Group. James represents states, cities, school districts, municipalities, and other governmental entities on various public finance transactions and municipal matters.

James recently served as lead associate for the City of Detroit legal team for the restructuring of interest-rate exchange agreements related to $800 million of Detroit Pension Service Corporations obligations. During this representation, he managed the closing for the restructuring, drafted closing documents such as City and Service Corporation certificates and resolutions, participated in direct negotiations with swap counterparties' counsel regarding documents and other closing matters, co-led efforts for adoption and publication of authorizing City ordinance and resolution and Service Corporations resolutions, and performed legal research on issues including the Michigan Open Meetings Act, the Michigan Home Rule Act, ordinance procedure, and custody of municipal funds.

James also served as lead associate for the bond counsel team for the remarketing and fixed-rated conversion of over $1 billion of City of Detroit obligations. James has also participated as co-bond counsel on various State of Connecticut Special Tax Obligation issuances.

James has worked on other matters including, but not limited to, a Michigan municipality's inherent and statutory authority to borrow under the Michigan Constitution and law, Michigan school financing, municipal authorities, municipal board composition, and tax-increment financing. In addition, he has drafted and co-drafted successful responses to requests of proposals, including for the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority and the City and County of Denver, Colorado.

James's interests include urban and tribal economic development and governmental affairs. His other interests include sports and mentoring young adults.

James is admitted in Michigan and the District of Columbia.