Arnold & Porter LLP announced today that James R. Walther has joined the firm’s Corporate and Securities and Financial Services practices as a senior counsel in its Los Angeles office.

Mr. Walther represents both public and privately held companies of all sizes in diverse industries, including banking, financial services, real estate and technology. His practice involves complex mergers, acquisitions and restructurings, as well as significant cross border transactions. Mr. Walther has also managed numerous public offerings and private placements of securities, including IPOs, and advised on anti-takeover matters and proxy contests. In addition, he advises boards of directors and special board committees on M&A and corporate governance issues.

Mr. Walther recently advised on a merger of equals creating a multi-billion dollar company that is the largest Korean American-focused bank in the United States, and subsequent expansion of that company. He has been the lead counsel in many innovative and complex financial restructurings of banking and other companies.

Mr. Walther joins the firm from Mayer Brown LLP Los Angeles. He formerly served as co-leader of that firm’s global Corporate and Securities practice and subsequently was the Corporate and Securities practice leader for the firm’s California offices.

“Jim’s exceptional experience on complex transactions will undoubtedly help our West Coast corporate practice continue to expand and is a perfect fit with our highly-regarded regulatory team here, too,” said Matt Heartney, head of the firm’s Los Angeles office:

Added David Freeman, head of Arnold & Porter’s financial services practice: “Jim’s sophisticated representation of financial institutions will also complement our national practice, while capitalizing on mutual relationships in the California market.”

Mr. Walther received his J.D. from the UCLA School of Law, where he was an articles editor for the UCLA Law Review, and a member of the Order of the Coif. He obtained his AB from Stanford University.

“Arnold & Porter presents a unique national as well as regional platform, especially in the regulatory and compliance space, that will be well-received by my financial services and corporate clientele,” said Mr. Walther. “I look forward to working with the firm’s highly-regarded corporate team in both San Francisco and Los Angeles, and with colleagues in the firm’s other offices, to expand our already extensive practice, as well as to provide the best possible service for our clients.”

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