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CO-CHAIR, WASHINGTON, D.C., OFFICEJames D. Kelly has more than 20 years of experience as a business attorney, and focuses his practice on structuring and negotiating complex real estate, finance, and general corporate transactions.He has achieved a wide array of corporate and transactional objectives for his clients, providing technical legal advice as well as hands-on, practical strategy development and execution. By carefully assembling and managing the right team for each particular engagement, Jim produces the results his clients need to advance their business goals strategically and efficiently.Prior to joining Blank Rome, Jim served as the chairman of an Am Law 200 firm where he provided leadership and strategic direction of the firm’s legal practice and business objectives, and oversaw all aspects of the firm’s operations.FinanceJim began his career in commercial and corporate lending and continues to represent borrowers and senior, mezzanine, and junior lenders in secured and unsecured credit facilities, including asset-based, cash flow, working capital, bridge, acquisition, construction, permanent, and mezzanine loan transactions. He has significant borrower-side experience in loan transactions sold into the CMBS market and in dealing with requests for waivers, loan modifications, and other servicer and special servicer matters.Jim has recognized experience in community development lending and investment matters through the use of conventional financing methods and, more recently, New Markets Tax Credits, and he has developed multiple national loan programs and was a principal contributor to the creation of a government-sponsored loan guarantee program that enhances private sector funding in health care construction and service delivery.Jim provides strategic advice on deal structuring and implementation, and has managed large multijurisdiction transactions.Real EstateJim regularly counsels clients in sophisticated commercial real estate matters. His practice is national in scope and encompasses most asset classes with a focus on NNN office, manufacturing, and industrial. He represents a publicly traded real estate investment trust, private equity portfolio companies, investment funds, joint ventures, energy concerns, nonprofits, labor unions, as well as government and quasi-government authorities, in all aspects of real estate transactions, including acquisition, disposition, financing, construction, development, leasing, and portfolio management.Workouts and RestructuringsJim focuses his practice on representing lenders, borrowers, and purchasers in debt restructurings and workouts of senior and mezzanine loans and equity investments, as well as the acquisition and disposition of distressed loans and assets of all types. He also represents commercial real property owners and tenants in lease renegotiations and restructurings and advises all types of market participants in the enforcement of creditor/debtor rights and remedies.General Corporate MattersJim advises corporate and individual clients on a variety of corporate matters, including business strategy, entity formation, employment arrangements, contracts, and commercial matters generally.

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Financial Services

Private Equity

Acquisitions & Dispositions

Real Estate Finance & Restructuring

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Equity Investment, Joint Ventures, Mergers & Buyouts

ADG Bankruptcy

James D. Kelly and Ashley M. Silberfeld Receive Blank Rome’s 2025 Distinguished Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Awards

Blank Rome Attorneys Recognized in 2026 Best Lawyers in America®

Blank Rome Represents Nth Degree and Fern Exposition Services in Acquisitions of Lancaster Management Services and Quantum Events

Blank Rome Represents Gladstone Investment Corporation in Acquisition of Global GRAB Technologies, Inc.

Blank Rome Represents Gladstone Investment Corporation in Acquisition of Smart Chemical Solutions

Blank Rome Attorneys Named to 2024 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll

Blank Rome Advises Gladstone Investment Corporation on Sale of Nocturne Luxury Villas

Blank Rome Advises Gladstone Investment Corporation on Acquisition of Ricardo US Holdings, Inc.

Blank Rome Advises Gladstone Investment Corporation on Acquisition of Nielsen-Kellerman, Co.

Blank Rome Advises Gladstone Investment Corporation on Acquisition of Pyrotek Special Effects, Inc.

Blank Rome Attorneys Recognized in 2025 Best Lawyers in America®

Blank Rome’s Comisky Cup Presented to Washington, D.C., Office

Blank Rome Attorneys Named to 2023 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll

Blank Rome Represents Gladstone Investment Corporation in Its Acquisition of Exclusive 30A Rentals, LLC

James D. Kelly

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