About
Reiland Legal
OVERVIEW
Drawing on more than two decades’ experience as a lawyer, Jim Reiland founded Reiland Legal, LLC in 2024 with the goal of making sophisticated legal services available to businesses and entrepreneurs at a sensible cost.
Having been a partner at several major law firms and the Chief Legal and Administrative Officer for a large company, Jim understands the value of efficiency and the importance client service.
Jim began his career as a commercial litigator, representing public and private companies in complex matters throughout the country. While working at law firms in New York and Chicago, Jim first-chaired numerous trials and arbitrations and established a track record of tenacity, precision, and creative problem-solving.
Then, in 2016, Jim went in-house and became the first general counsel and head of legal affairs for his company, a privately held real estate investment, development, and operating company active in multiple sectors. While there, Jim worked on countless real estate, investment, and corporate transactions.
In 2020, Jim became Chief Legal and Administrative Officer for one of the nation’s preeminent developers of off-campus student housing, owned jointly by the real estate investment manager for numerous British Columbia pension funds and his prior company. Not only was Jim responsible for legal matters (including transactions), but as a member of his company’s executive team, Jim also helped oversee corporate operations and administration. In that role, Jim worked closely with the board of directors and senior management on projects relating to finance, accounting, human resources, risk management, and investments.
Jim’s combined legal experience and business acumen – both in courtrooms and boardrooms – gives him rare perspective and the ability to quickly assess opportunities and challenges in 360 degrees. And, having worn many hats on both the “buy side” and “sell side” of legal services, Jim is uniquely suited to cut through the noise, hone in on key issues, and drive solutions that are at once practical and strategic.
PRACTICE AREAS
MORE ABOUT JIM
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B.A., Washington University (St. Louis, Missouri)
J.D., Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law (Chicago, Illinois)
Executive Editor, Northwestern Journal of International Law and Business
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Illinois
New York
Numerous federal courts
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A native Midwesterner, Jim is a longtime volunteer and supporter of various educational, athletic, and community nonprofit organizations in the greater Chicagoland area.
In his spare time, Jim enjoys pretending to be decent at golf and following Minnesota’s professional sports teams. He can also be spotted following his Russell Terrier around Chicago’s Lakeshore East neighborhood.