James Wester

James Wester

Shareholder

Underwood, Wilson, Berry, Stein, & Johnson, P.C.
500 S. Taylor, Suite 1200
Amarillo, TX 79101
(806) 379-0354
(806) 379-0316 fax
james.wester@uwlaw.com

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Mr. Wester served as a Vice President and General Counsel of Corporate Systems, Inc. until the successful completion of its merger with Marsh, Inc. in late 2004. Mr. Wester's experience in the business law area includes corporate law and commercial law. His practice has also focused on helping his clients avoid disputes and resolve those disputes that do arise. Mr. Wester often works with other business professionals, including accountants, brokers, consultants, business advisors, etc. in order to properly structure deals and transactions. Mr. Wester also has extensive experience in negotiating and drafting technology related agreements with both small and large companies throughout the U.S. Mr. Wester's experience in real estate law has included a wide variety of legal issues relating to acquiring, financing, developing, managing, constructing, leasing and selling commercial and residential real property.

Practice Concentration and Experience

Wind Energy

  • Option and Lease Agreements
  • Tax Limitation/Abatement Agreements
  • Technology License Agreements
  • Landowners
  • School Districts
  • Developers
  • Equipment Manufacturers

Business/Corporate

  • Incorporation
  • Organization of companies
  • Restructuring of ownership
  • Shareholder agreements
  • Purchase and sale of shares
  • Purchase and sale of assets
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Contracts
  • Commercial leases
  • Securing transactions

Technology/Software

  • Software licensing
  • Software development
  • Implementation, maintenance and support
  • Outsourcing
  • Hardware purchase and maintenance
  • Marketing and distribution
  • Sale and purchase of software and technology
  • Copyright, trademark and other intellectual property issues
  • Nondisclosure
  • Non-circumvent
  • Data processing
  • Other ecommerce and technology related services

Real Estate

  • Transactions relating to representation, consultation and negotiation:
    • Mortgages
    • Mortgage re-financing
    • 1031 tax-deferred exchanges
    • Residential purchase and sale contracts
    • Commercial purchase and sale contracts
    • Residential leases
    • Commercial leases
  • Real estate disputes, including disputes relating to:
    • Adverse possession
    • Easements
    • Property taxes
    • Title and title insurance matters
    • Boundaries, fences, and encroachments
    • Breach of contract
    • Specific performance
    • Non-disclosure, fraud and misrepresentation
  • Construction defects and mechanic's liens, including disputes that owners, builders and contractors may have in regard to construction disputes, construction defects and claims
  • Land use matters

General

  • Served as a Vice President and General Counsel of Corporate Systems, Inc. until the successful completion of its merger with Marsh, Inc. in late 2004
  • Experience working with other business professionals, including accountants, brokers, consultants, business advisors, etc. to properly structure transactions

Activities and Affiliations

  • Admitted to practice before:
    • United States Supreme Court
    • United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
    • United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
    • All Texas State Courts
  • Sustaining Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
  • Member, Amarillo Bar Association
  • Member, Amarillo Chamber of Commerce
  • Leadership Amarillo
  • Hillside Christian Church
  • Texas Young Lawyers Association
    • President 1995-1996
  • Amarillo Area Young Lawyers Association
    • President 1990-1992
  • State Bar of Texas, Board of Directors and Executive Committee 1994-1997
  • Also served on various SBOT committees and teams, including Real Estate Forms, Vision and Technology, Professionalism, Appellate Pro Bono, Lawyers Mentoring Children, Local Bar Services, etc.

Publications and Presentations

Education

  • J.D. University of Oklahoma College of Law, 1986
  • B.B.A. University of Oklahoma, 1983