James Butera

James Butera
Partner

James Butera is a nationally recognized lawyer practicing primarily in the area of banking and finance.

He grew up in the Philadelphia area and is a graduate of St. Joseph’s College.  Having been accepted at Georgetown University Law School, he chose to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1966. 

After completing his 13-month deployment to Vietnam, he extended for a second tour in 1968 during which he commanded 125 Marines in action along the border between North and South Vietnam.  Leaving active duty as a Captain, Mr. Butera’s decorations included the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Navy Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Meritorious Unit Commendation of the Gallantry Cross.

Mr. Butera reentered Georgetown University and began his career in law and government relations at the American Bankers Association.  He has published law review articles on a variety of banking topics, and was a contributing author to Jaws of Victory, an analysis of national politics published by Little Brown & Co.

In 1988, Mr. Butera was named to a federal financial institutions Advisory Council and prior to that was among the industry experts selected to prepare The American Agenda, under the direction of former Presidents Carter and Ford, to identify the major banking issues facing the incoming Administration of President Ronald Reagan.

In 1989, he began in private practice where his clients have included Fortune 500 companies, major U.S. and international banking organizations, the Federal Home Loan Banks, as well as state and national trade associations.  Over the years, he has directed numerous high-profile litigation cases against the FCC, the IRS and other agencies of the federal government.

Mr. Butera is often quoted on legal and political issues in major periodicals including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Financial Times and USA Today.

Mr. Butera is a member of the Army-Navy Club and the Infantry Order of St. Crispin.  He and his wife Lee live on a farm located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland not far from Annapolis.  They have three children and eight grandchildren.