James C. Schulwolf
Partner
Jim Schulwolf is a partner in Shipman's Business and Corporate Practice Group. He focuses his practice on advising clients in financing, investment, acquisition, and restructuring transactions. He is known as a trusted advisor who provides practical and creative advice and cost-effective solutions in the transactions in which he is involved.
In the Finance sector, Jim regularly represents financial institutions including banks, mezzanine funds, and other institutional investors in structuring, documenting, and closing complex senior and mezzanine financings, including mezzanine financings with equity co-investments. He regularly represents lenders in connection with acquisition financings, financing of alternative energy projects (including wind, solar, and fuel cell projects), asset-based loans, cash flow loans, and syndicated credit facilities and also represents Shipman's corporate clients and private equity portfolio companies in their financing transactions.
In the Investment sector, Jim regularly represents SBICs in connection with their debt and equity portfolio investments as well as SBA regulatory matters. He also regularly represents institutional investors in connection with their investments in private equity funds, domestic and offshore hedge funds and direct portfolio companies. He also represents institutional lenders and independent schools in connection with tax-exempt and taxable bond financings.
Credentials
Education
- Amherst College, B.A., 1977, cum laude
- New York University School of Law, J.D., 1980
Bar Admissions
- Connecticut, 1993
- Massachusetts, 1980
Distinctions
- AV Preeminent® Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
- Named "Lawyer of the Year" (2014, 2025): Best Lawyers® Hartford Region Banking and Finance Law
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America®: Banking and Finance Law (2006-2025); Equipment Finance Law (2010-2025); Corporate Law (2016-2025); Commercial Transactions/UCC Law (2017-2025)
- Listed as a Connecticut Super Lawyer®: Banking, Mergers & Acquisitions (2006-2009); Business/Corporate (2006-2024)
- Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers: Corporate M&A (2018-2019)
- American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers: Fellow (1998-present) and Member of the Board of Regents (2005-2009)
- Connecticut Bar Foundation: James W. Cooper Fellow
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association, Section of Business Law, Chair-Elect (present), Vice-Chair and Editor-in-Chief, The Business Lawyer (2020-2021), Secretary and Co-Editor, Business Law Today (2019-2020), Leadership Development Committee (Chair 2017-2019), Business Law Basics Subcommittee (Chair, 2015-2019), Section Council (2013-2017); Commercial Finance Committee: Chair (2010-2013), Vice-Chair (2007-2010), Co-Chair, Subcommittee on Programs (2003-2007); Co-Chair, Subcommittee on Intellectual Property Financing (1997-2002); Committee on Uniform Commercial Code; Regional Coordinator, Joint ABA/NCCUSL National Task Force for the Enactment of Revised Article 9; Member, Connecticut Revised Article 9 Task Force (2000-2001), Member, Connecticut Law Revision Commission Advisory Committee on 2010 Amendments to UCC Article 9 (2010)
- Crossroads Venture Group: President, Hartford Chapter (2003-2008); Member, State Board of Directors
- Turnaround Management Association, Connecticut Chapter: Member, Board of Directors
- Association of Commercial Finance Attorneys
- The Business Lawyer: Editor-In-Chief
- American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers: Fellow, Former Regent
Community Involvement
- Amherst Association of Connecticut
- Town of West Hartford: coached, youth soccer and baseball; managed travel soccer team
- Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Hartford: Permanent Board Member; Former President and Board Chair
- Leadership Greater Hartford