Doug James

Doug James practices in bankruptcy, real estate development, banking, commercial transactions, and commercial litigation.Doug has the honor of being listed in the publication, The Best Lawyers in America under four categories: Banking and Finance Law; Litigation -- Banking and Finance; Litigation -- Bankruptcy; and Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Doug was named the Best Lawyers’ 2014 Billings Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law “Lawyer of the Year”. Doug has also been recognized as a Top Lawyer by Corporate Counsel for Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law and is included in the Mountain States Super Lawyers list.Doug’s bankruptcy practice is limited to representing creditors. He has more than three decades of experience representing both secured creditors and unsecured creditors in cases under chapters 7, 11, 12, and 13 of the Bankruptcy Code. He is a former member of the U. S. Trustee’s Panel for the District of Montana. He has been active in the Bankruptcy Section of the State Bar and served as Chairman of the Bankruptcy Section.Doug is involved in all aspects of real estate development and litigation. He has represented lenders, developers, tenants, and landlords in connection with real estate acquisitions, real estate sales, shopping centers, box store developments, Lifestyle Centers, medical campuses, co-tenancy issues, leasing, zoning, site development, subdivision approval, reciprocal easement agreements, exclusives, use restrictions, subdivision improvements agreements, common area maintenance agreements, secured financing, lease defaults, assignments, lease terminations, planned unit developments, and foreclosures.Doug is actively involved in the community. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the University of Montana Foundation, the Board of Visitors for the Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana, and the Board of Directors for the Billings Public Library Foundation. Doug served on the City of Billings Zoning Commission for many years as well as the Board of Adjustments for the City of Billings.Doug was born in Great Falls, Montana in 1957. He graduated from Charles M. Russell High School in Great Falls and then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History, with high honors, from Southern Methodist University in 1979. Doug earned his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Montana in 1982. After graduating from law school, he worked for the Montana Securities Department in the State Auditor's Office from 1982-1984. He joined Moulton Bellingham PC in 1984. Doug is married to Kathy Webster James.