At a Glance
Jim has significant experience representing both public and private companies, particularly technology and growth oriented companies. Clients benefit from his expertise in business counseling, financing, mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, securities, intellectual property, licensing and commercial agreements. He represents private equity and venture capital firms in investments in both early and later-stage portfolio companies, buy-outs and fund formation and administration. Prior to joining Ulmer & Berne, Jim was with the Boston firm of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault.
Practices/Industries
Business
Corporate Finance
Intellectual Property & Technology
International
Mergers & Acquisitions
Private Equity/Venture Capital
Regulatory Compliance

Technology
Intellectual Property/Licensing
Technology Transactions

Life Science
Intellectual Property/Licensing

Areas of Concentration
  • Venture Capital
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Private Equity
  • Business and Corporate Law
  • Emerging Businesses
  • Technology Transfers
Education
University of Rhode Island (B.A., 1992)

Case Western Reserve University School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 1998)
Representative Experience
  • Has significant experience representing private equity and venture capital firms in investments in portfolio companies, with a focus on early-stage companies as well as fund formation and administration.
  • Has significant experience representing emerging companies, primarily in the high technology arena, in the areas of formation, capital structure and exit event planning, management and stock plan issues, intellectual property, beta test, licensing, supply and distribution arrangements and other commercial agreements, and early and later stage financing.
  • Has significant experience representing both public and private companies, including substantial experience in the areas of business counseling, financing, mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, securities, intellectual property and commercial agreements.
  • Has significant experience representing private equity and venture capital firms in the areas of fund formation, administration and partnership interest transfers.
  • Prior to joining Ulmer & Berne, Mr. Crane was with the Boston firm of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP.
Honors & Distinctions
Named an "Ohio Super Lawyer Rising Star" in a survey of Ohio lawyers by Law & Politics and Cincinnati magazines (July 2006 and 2007)
Publications & Presentations
Publications
Deal Terms: The Finer Points of Venture Capital Deal Structures, Valuations, Term Sheets, Stock Options and Getting Deals Done, Consultant and Contributor, author- Alexander Wilmerding, Aspatore Books (2003)
Professional Affiliations
American Bar Association

Ohio State Bar Association

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (Steering Committee, Corporation and Business Law Section)
Admissions
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
State of New York
State of Ohio