James M. Ash

Jim's legal knowledge has guided some of the world’s most visible food and agriculture companies, along with their investors and financers. Jim’s first exposure to agribusiness came growing up in a California farming community. He also worked as a plant manager for the citrus cooperative Sunkist, where he accumulated additional perspective on the food industry. A frequent speaker on corporate governance, securities law issues, and mergers and acquisitions, Jim is a former member of Husch Blackwell’s Executive Board.

Jim’s engagements in the agribusiness industry cover a range of issues, including mergers and acquisitions, international expansion, governance, securities and various general corporate matters. He twice was asked to serve as interim general counsel to a Fortune 1000 company and understands his clients’ operations with an insider’s perspective. His food and agribusiness projects have included:

• Russell Stover Candies sale to Lindt & Sprüngli AG.
• Applebee’s $2.2 billion merger with IHOP.
• American Italian Pasta $1.2 billion merger with Ralcorp.
• Representation of Triumph Foods, an industry-leading producer-owned pork processor.