Director of Trusts and Estates, The University of Chicago

After practicing trust and estate law for eleven years, primarily in Southern California, Jim joined The University of Chicago in May of 2017. As the Director of Trusts and Estates, Jim oversees trust and estate settlement for all schools and units across the University, including the College, Booth School of Business, Law School, and UChicago Medicine. Jim is also the primary point in development for in-kind gifts, and he advises fundraisers and other staff on various issues that arise with gift acceptance, donor acknowledgment, and policies and guidelines for the booking of gifts.

Jim grew up outside of Los Angeles, obtaining his undergraduate degree from Pomona College in 2002 and J.D. from the UCLA School of Law in 2005. Jim practiced with a small trusts and estates firm in Santa Monica for four years before relocating to the Chicago area. He continued to practice remotely, eventually opening up his own firm in 2012, advising clients on estate planning, estate and trust administration, and contested probate matters. He has welcomed the career shift to charitable gift planning, utilizing his background to oversee and procure bequests for the University of Chicago and ensure that donors' intentions are honored.