James J. McAlpin Jr.

James J. McAlpin Jr.
  1. People /

James J. McAlpin Jr.

James J. McAlpin Jr.

Partner

James J. McAlpin Jr.
  1. People /

James J. McAlpin Jr.

James J. McAlpin Jr.

Partner

James J. McAlpin Jr.

Partner

Atlanta

T: +1 404 572 6630

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Biography

Jim McAlpin has over thirty years of experience in advising leaders of privately held companies in the areas of corporate and business law, strategic matters and dispute resolution. In addition to his work in the financial services industry, he has extensive experience in representing private companies, including family owned entities, in connection with board consulting, strategic planning, capital and acquisition strategies, and dissident shareholders. He counsels private companies and banks on corporate governance matters, regulatory issues, mergers and acquisitions, strategic advice and succession planning. Jim has deep experience in the duties, responsibilities and fiduciary obligations of corporate directors and he regularly represents boards of directors and special committees. 

Jim is a nationally recognized speaker at financial industry conferences and contributes regularly to publications on bank and corporate governance related topics. He is also often quoted in banking industry publications.

Jim served as Chairman of Powell Goldstein LLP from March 2004 until its combination with Bryan Cave LLP in January 2009. He subsequently served on the Executive Committee of Bryan Cave until October 2014. Jim was the leader of the firm’s Banking Practice Group from 2011 until 2021.

He received a J.D. from the University of Alabama in 1984, where he was an editor on the Alabama Law Review, and graduated, cum laude, from the University of Alabama in 1981, with a B.S. in Business Administration.

Civic Involvement & Honors

  • The Best Lawyers in AmericaBanking Law (2010) 
  • The Best Lawyers in America, Corporate Law (2010-2024)
  • Georgia Super Lawyer (2006-2013)
  • Carter Center – Board of Councilors
  • Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia – Board of Directors and Executive Committee

Professional Affiliations

  • American Bankers Association – Associate Member
  • American Bar Association – Member
  • Association for Corporate Growth – Atlanta Chapter (past president)
  • Community Bankers Association of Georgia – Associate Member
  • Georgia Bankers Association – Associate Member

Admissions

  • Alabama, 1985
  • Georgia, 1984

Education

The University of Alabama, J.D., 1984

The University of Alabama, B.S., cum laude, 1981

Related Practice Areas

  • Financial Institutions

  • Financial Services Corporate & Regulatory Team

  • Fintech

  • Corporate

  • Finance

  • Funds Finance

  • Workouts & Financial Restructuring

  • Wealth Management

  • Subchapter S

  • Going Private

  • Community Banking Litigation

  • De Novo Banking

  • Bank Transactions & Strategy

  • Bank Regulatory Compliance, Operational Support & New Products

Resources

Publications

  • Co-Presenter, "Takeaways for Bank Boards: Impacts of SVB and Signature Bank Receiverships on Board Governance," BCLP webinar, March 2023
  • “Lessons from the Great Recession that Bank Boards can apply in the Pandemic” BankBCLP blog, May 2020
  • “In Praise of Community and Regional Banks (in the PPP process)” BankBCLP blog, April 2020
  • “Do you have an ATM-oriented board in an increasingly iPhone-oriented world?” BankBCLP blog, July 13, 2017
  • “Considering a Sale of a Bank? Don’t Forget the Board’s Due Diligence,” BankDirector.com, May 16, 2016
  • “How to Get the Most out of Your Annual Reviews,” BankDirector.com, December 2015; co-authored with Michael Shumaker
  • "The Link Between Board Diversity and Smart Business," BankDirector.com, July 2015
  • Series of Articles on "Best Practices of Bank Board," Bank Director Magazine, 2011-2012
  • "Observations from the Board Room" ABA Banking Journal, March 2011

Speaking Engagements

  • "Balancing Act: Bank Risk Management During GFC 2.0," Clark Street Capital webinar, April 2023
  • “Building a Stronger (and More Diverse) Board,” BCLP CLE Conference for In-House Counsel, March 2021
  • “Building Blocks of an Effective Board,” Bank Diretor’s BankBeyond conference, October 2020
  • “Private Company Governance – Some Best Practices,” Fall 2019 presentations to Atlanta Area Vistage groups
  • “Best Practices in the Board Room,” Sheshunoff Fall 2019 Affiliation Meetings
  • “Legal & Governance Issues for Board members,” Bank Director’s Bank Board Training Forum, May 2019, Nashville, Tennessee
  • “Lessons Learned in the Board Room,” Bank Director's Bank Board Training Forum, September 2018, Chicago, Illinois
  • “Successful Succession Planning,” Georgia Bankers Association Annual Meeting, June 2018, Half Moon Bay, California
  • Panel discussion on emerging partnerships between banks and fintech companies, Bank Director's Acquire or Be Acquired, January 2018, Phoenix, Arizona
  • “High Performance Governance Culture,” Bank Director’s Bank Board Training Forum, September 2017, Atlanta, Georgia
  • “Where Do Banks Go From Here?,” Georgia Bankers Association Annual Meeting, June 2017, Colorado Springs, Colorado
  • “Evolving Trends in the Banking Industry,” Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s Banking Outlook Conference, February 2017, Atlanta, Georgia
  • “Strategic Planning Success,” Deluxe Exchange 2017, February 2017, Phoenix, Arizona
  • “Why Fintech Is Important To You,” Bank Director’s Acquire or Be Acquired, January 2017, Phoenix, Arizona
  • “The Board as a Competitive Advantage,” Sheshunoff 2016 Fall CEO Affiliation Program, Fall 2016, Pebble Beach, California; New Orleans, Louisiana; Chicago, Illinois; Naples, Florida
  • “Putting It All Together: 5 Steps to Build A Strong Board,” Bank Director’s Bank Board Training Forum, September 29-30, 2016, Chicago, Illinois
  • “M&A Panel Discussion,” BKD Leadership Conference, June 22, 2016, St. Louis, Missouri
  • “Managing the Risks of a Changing Financial Industry,” Bank Director Growing the Bank Conference, May 24, 2016, Dallas, Texas
  • “The Board as a Competitive Advantage,” American Bankers Association National Conference for Community Bankers, February 2016, Palm Desert, California
  • “Doom Diligence: Five Critical Mistakes to Avoid,” Bank Director Acquire or Be Acquired Conference, January 2016, Phoenix, Arizona
  • “Achieving the Right Strategic Direction with New Products,” American Bankers Association Directors Forum, November 2015, Los Angeles, California
  • “The Board as a Competitive Advantage,” Georgia Bankers Association President/CEO Conference, October 2015, Reynolds Plantation, Georgia
  • “A 360 Inspection: Regulatory and Accounting Challenges,” Pacific Coast Bankers’ Bank Executive Management Conference, April 2015, San Francisco, California
  • “Governance Issues and the Role of the Board,” Bank Board Training Forum, March 2015, Nashville, Tennessee
  • “Why Banks Get Sold and Not Purchased,” Bank Director Acquire or Be Acquired Conference, January 2015, Phoenix, Arizona
  • “Best Practices for Bank Boards,” American Bankers Association Annual Convention Directors Forum, October 2014, Dallas, Texas
  • “Charting Your Strategic Course,” Bank Growth and Profitability Conference, June 2014, Santa Barbara, California
  • “Corporate Governance – Managing Relationships: Regulators, Management and Each Other,” Georgia Bankers Association Annual Meeting, June 2014, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
  • “Corporate Governance – Role and Responsibilities of Directors,” Bank Board Training Forum, March 2014, Nashville, Tennessee
  • “Knowing Where You Are Going: Establishing a Viable Strategic Direction,” Bank Director Acquire or Be Acquired Conference, January 2014, Phoenix, Arizona
  • “Take Hold of the Steering Oar,” Sheshunoff 2013 Fall CEO Affiliation Program, Fall 2013, Pebble Beach, California; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; Naples, Florida
  • “Bank Enterprise Risk Management Strategy Panel,” SNL Financial Community Bankers Conference, April 2013, Greensboro, Georgia
  • “M&A – Is It the Right Growth Option?,” Bank Strategy Forum, March 2013, New York Stock Exchange
  • “Advising Bank Directors on Regulatory Relations and Legal Risk Minimization,” Georgia Bar Association Banking and Finance CLE, February 2013, Atlanta, Georgia
  • “Board of Director Issues in the Community Bank of 2016,” UGA Southeastern Bank Management and Directors Conference, February 2013, Duluth, Georgia
  • “Charting Your Strategic Course in a Challenging Environment,” Bank Director Acquire or Be Acquired Conference, January 2013, Scottsdale, Arizona
  • “The Evolving Role of the Board and Board Leadership – Best Practices in Challenging Times,” University of Georgia, Terry College of Business, Directors’ College, October 2012, Atlanta, Georgia
  • “M&A: The Big Picture and How It Impacts Strategy,” ABA Directors’ Forum, October 2012, San Diego, California
  • “Board Governance in the New Banking Environment,” Sheshunoff Affiliation Program – Building a Better Board, August 2012, Chicago, Illinois
  • “M&A: The Big Picture and How It Impacts Georgia,” Georgia Bankers Association 2012 Annual Meeting, June 2012, Asheville, North Carolina
  • “The New Regulatory Environment and Practical Tips for Adapting,” Sheshunoff Consulting CEO Affiliation Programs, March and April 2012, Vail, Colorado; Scottsdale, Arizona; San Francisco, California; New York, New York
  • “The Community Banking Environment,” ABA National Conference for Community Bankers, February 2012, Palm Desert, California
  • “The Path to Recovery – Building Value in a Changing Environment,” Bank Director Acquire or Be Acquired Conference, January 2012, Phoenix, Arizona
  • “Director Standard of Care and the Business Judgment Rule,” Community Bankers Association of Georgia, Bank Directors and Executive Management Conference, December 2011, Atlanta, Georgia
  • “Roles, Responsibilities and Expectations of Directors: Lessons you Need to Know,” University of Georgia, Terry College of Business, Directors’ College, June 2011, Atlanta, Georgia

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