James D. Stroffe is a shareholder of the Firm and chairs the Real Property and Construction Practice Group. Jim specializes in the practice of Real Property and Construction. Jim has over 20 years experience in real estate related transactions and litigation, corporate litigation management, financial management and analysis, project management and business administration.

Jim’s experience includes the acquisition, management and disposition of improved and unimproved land; public and private mixed-use development projects; land use and entitlements including planning, zoning, environmental impact reports, development agreements, historic preservation and Community Redevelopment Agency law; major residential, commercial, retail and industrial lease transactions; real estate finance, including promissory notes, loan agreements, mortgages and deeds of trust, title insurance, surety bonds and guarantees, letters of credit, mortgage loan workouts, foreclosure and related matters; all aspects of construction law including licensing, owner/contractor and contractor/subcontractor contracts, owner/architect agreements, mechanic's liens, performance and payment bonds, risk management and insurance.

Jim was a senior executive with a regional real estate developer and syndicator, where he was responsible for all asset management functions relating to syndicated and wholly owned multifamily properties, disposition/sale of assets, investor relations and investment banking relationships. He also held a senior executive position with a national real estate developer where he was responsible for managing all West Coast operations, including acquisition, development, finance, construction, administration and asset management. As chief operating officer for a $100 million per year construction company, he gained extensive knowledge of construction industry operational practices. These experiences over 10 years have given him valuable insight on the practical, as well as legal, aspects of these client activities.

Jim received his B.A. in Economics in 1973, magna cum laude, from Harvard University and his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1976. Following law school, Jim clerked for Justice Marcus M. Kaufman at the California Court of Appeal, Fourth District, Second Division.

Jim is a member of the California bar and is admitted to practice before a number of federal courts.

Email: jstroffe@fsglawyers.com