Education

• B.A., Washington University in St. Louis
• J.D., Georgia State University College of Law
• M.B.A., Georgia State University College of Business
• M.Fin., Georgia State University College of Business
• LL.M, New York University School of Law

Bar and Court Admissions

• Georgia Bar
• All Georgia trial and appellate courts
• United States Tax Court
• United States Court of Appeal, 4^th Circuit
• United States Court of Appeal, 11^th Circuit
• United States District Court, Northern District of Georgia
• United States District Court, Middle District of Georgia 

Publications

• The basics of a tax-free spin-off transaction, Accounting Today (April 18, 2023)
• Foreign financial asset filing requirements: Coming into compliance, The Tax Adviser (May 2021)
• The Basics of Establishing and Operating a Charitable Organization—Part 2, Bloomberg Daily Tax Report (November 13, 2020)
• The Basics of Establishing and Operating a Charitable Organization—Part 1, Bloomberg Daily Tax Report (November 12, 2020)
• The Basics of Establishing and Operating a 501(c)(3) Organization, Bloomberg Tax Management Memorandum (October 12, 2020)
• The Admissibility of Expert Testimony in Georgia, Peters, M. and Standard, J. (2007 Ed., Thomson/West).

Jim Standard has been serving as a trusted advisor and advocate for clients for nearly 25 years.  Holding a variety of degrees—including a doctorate in jurisprudence, master of laws in taxation, master of science in finance, and a master of business administration—Jim brings a multidisciplinary and holistic approach to the representation of his clients.

Jim has represented both large and small companies, as well as individuals, in a variety of merger, acquisition, and disposition transactions, including stock and equity acquisitions, asset acquisitions, mergers, tax-free reorganizations, and corporate spin-offs.  In doing so, he routinely works with his clients in an effort to find tax-efficient ways to consummate these transactions.

Jim regularly works with companies during the formation process by advising on choice-of-entity issues and preparing governing documents, such as operating agreements, shareholder agreements, and corporate bylaws.  Jim assists companies in attracting and maintaining key talent by advising on and preparing equity and executive compensation arrangements, key employee agreements, nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements, and other restrictive covenant agreements.  He brings his in-depth knowledge of law, taxation, and finance to all of these engagements.

Jim assists companies in a variety of business-to-business transactions, including joint ventures, commercial lease agreements, service agreements, and agreements involving the sale of goods.  He has provided representation to clients in a broad range of industries, including transportation and logistics, manufacturing, financial services, nonprofits, and agribusiness.  In addition, Jim often assists clients in resolving tax controversies and other business disputes.

When out of the office, Jim enjoys spending time outdoors.  He is an avid whitewater kayaker, enjoys hiking, and has been known to pick up a golf club on occasion.