James R. Butler

CO-CHAIR, HOSPITALITY PRACTICE

Jim Butler is widely recognized as one of the leading hotel lawyers in the world. Over the course of his career, he has built one of the preeminent hospitality practices in the industry—advising owners, developers, lenders, independent management companies, and capital providers on sophisticated hotel and mixed-use projects around the globe. He devotes 100 percent of his practice to the hospitality sector, bringing clients deep industry insight and practical legal counsel.

Jim’s team has supported decades of hotel development and investment, with extensive experience across more than 4,700 hospitality properties worldwide valued at more than $125 billion. Collectively, they have negotiated more than 2,700 hotel management and franchise agreements; handled more than 100 mixed-use hotel projects; and guided clients through thousands of acquisitions, sales, brandings, repositionings, financings, and other complex transactions. They also have significant experience navigating high-stakes hotel litigation across both Common Law and Civil Law jurisdictions.

A leader in restructuring and distressed-asset matters, Jim and his group have advised on more than 2,000 hotel receiverships and bankruptcies, as well as an even greater number of workouts involving hotels and resort properties of every size and type.

Jim’s practice is truly global. Because his work is driven by strategy, negotiation, and business judgment—rather than location-specific legal requirements—he supports clients anywhere in the world. When local laws or regulatory issues arise, he collaborates seamlessly with regional advisors to provide integrated, efficient service across all time zones.

Jim is frequently quoted on hotel issues by national and industry publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Forbes, Businessweek, Hotel Business, Thomson Reuters, and Bloomberg News He is also the author of www.HotelLawBlog.com, and serves as an expert witness in hospitality matters.

In law school, Jim was Order of the Coif, and Editor of the California Law Review.

Outside the Firm

Jim enjoys bulldogs (English and French), Italy, and playing guitar.

• Press Release

  Market-Leading Hospitality Team Joins Blank Rome in California, Expanding Coast-to-Coast Capabilities and Global Reach

  February 2026

  James R. Butler, David A. Sudeck, Mark S. Adams, Jeffrey T. Myers, Joseph J. Mellema

• Speaking Engagement

  Noteworthy Speaking Engagements

  Through to 2026

  James R. Butler

• Article

  Noteworthy Publications

  Through to 2026

  James R. Butler

See all News and Views

• 2009–2025, Southern California “Super Lawyer” in Real Estate, listed in Super Lawyers 
• 2019, Leisure & Hospitality, listed in Chambers USA
• 2014, Top Development Lawyers, listed in Daily Journal
• 2013, Who’s Who in Real Estate, listed in Los Angeles Business Journal
• 2012, Top Real Estate Lawyers, listed in Daily Journal
• 2011, Real Estate Dealmakers, listed in Daily Journal

Memberships

• Faculty, University of California, Advanced Professional Program
• Faculty, University of California, Los Angeles Extension
• International Society of Hospitality Consultants
• The Hospitality Industry Forum

Jim is an emeritus member of the International Society of Hospitality Consultants (“ISHC”) and a founder and seminar chair of The Hospitality Industry Forum (1991–2025). He has led courses and programs on hospitality law, and hotel financing on the faculty for the University of California, Los Angeles Extension, and the University of Southern California, Advanced Professional Program.

Admissions

• California
• Nevada

Education

• University of California at Berkeley, AB, great distinction
• University of California Berkeley School of Law, JD, Order of the Coif