About
Reiland Legal
OVERVIEW
Drawing on more than two decades’ combined experience in “Big Law” and in-house, Jim Reiland founded Reiland Legal, LLC in 2024 to provide efficient legal services to businesses, entrepreneurs, and private investors.
Jim began his career as a commercial litigator, representing leading companies in numerous industries (including private equity, financial services, real estate, and manufacturing) in complex matters throughout the country. While working at law firms in New York and Chicago, Jim first-chaired many trials and arbitrations and established a track record of tenacity, precision, and creative problem-solving.
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 corporate, investment, and real estate transactions.
In 2020, Jim became Chief Legal and Administrative Officer for one of the nation’s leading developers and operators of off-campus student housing, with over 400 employees and $4 billion in gross AUM, owned jointly by the investment manager for several British Columbia pension funds and his prior company. Beyond overseeing transactions and other legal matters, Jim helped manage corporate operations as a member of the executive team. In that role, Jim worked closely with the board of directors, investment committee, 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, identify 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 terrier around Chicago.