Prior BigLaw and In-house Experience
- Cantey Hanger LLP
- Computer Sciences Corporation
- Sun Microsystems, Inc.
- etalk Corporation
Licenses
- Admitted to practice in Texas
- Admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the United States District Court for the Eastern District, Northern District, and Western District of Texas, and the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas
Education
- University of North Texas, B.A. in History (minor in Business), 1992
- SMU Dedman School of Law, J.D., 1996
Services
Professional Experience
Jim has built a career that uniquely blends litigation, business operations, and executive leadership. He began his legal career at Winn, Beaudry & Winn, LLP, where he practiced general civil litigation, probate, estate and trust litigation, estate planning, and probate matters. He later transitioned into the technology sector, joining Computer Sciences Corporation as intellectual property licensing counsel within its Financial Services Group, where he negotiated software licensing agreements, remote support agreements, and complex outsourcing transactions throughout the United States.
Jim went on to serve as regional counsel for the Southwest United States at Sun Microsystems, supporting sales, professional services, product development, and marketing teams across multiple business units. In 2004, he joined etalk Corporation as General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer, where he served on the senior management team that guided the company through a successful multi-million-dollar exit for shareholders. His experience serving in both legal and operational leadership roles give him a practical understanding of business realities and the importance of solutions that allow companies to continue moving forward.
In 2009, Jim returned to private practice and co-founded Christiansen Bullock LLC, a firm focused on serving small and mid-sized businesses. As his practice expanded, he later joined Cantey Hanger, LLP before ultimately joining Grable Martin PLLC. Jim focuses on helping clients achieve their goals and solve complex business and legal challenges through strategic negotiation, litigation, and practical problem-solving. Equally comfortable in the boardroom and the courtroom, he combines the perspective of an experienced trial lawyer with the insight of a former chief operating officer.
Personal Story
A fifth-generation Texan (as far as he has traced), Jim was born and raised in Irving, where he attended Irving High School, played football and ran track, and served as senior class president. He went on to earn his undergraduate degree in history from the University of North Texas, focusing on World War II military history. During his time at UNT, he served two terms as president of Sigma Chi, was active in student government and the interfraternity council, and was inducted into multiple honor societies. Most importantly, it was there that he met his wife, Catherine (“Lee”), who would later support him throughout law school at SMU Dedman School of Law, where he was a mock trial quarterfinalist, a member of the Mac Taylor Inn of Court, and a law clerk to the Honorable Carolyn Wright of the Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals.
Outside of work, Jim enjoys spending time with Lee and their son Corbin, now a college student studying biochemistry. Jim continues to hold onto his longtime dream of one day becoming a gentleman rancher.
Community Engagement and Associations
Jim serves as a member of SMU Impact Lab’s Investment Advisory Committee, a member of the Archgate Montessori Academy board of trustees, a member of the Iota Phi Educational Foundation, Inc., board of trustees, the international services director for the Rotary Club of Frisco (he is also past president of the club), alumni advisor for the Sigma Chi Fraternity chapter at UNT, a member of the Krach Transformational Leadership Workshop faculty, and a frequent guest lecturer for SMU’s entrepreneurship program.
Selective publications:
- The IP Licensing Lawyer’s Job: A Survival Guide, ABA Publishing, 1st Ed., 2008
- “Intellectual Property Royalties” chapter, Lawyers Guide to Formulas in Deal Documents and SEC Filings, Law Journal Press, 1st Ed. 2008
- “Structuring Software and Technology Reseller and Distributor Agreements: Guide for Corporate and Technology Counsel for Drafting and Negotiating Contracts”, Strafford Publications, Inc., webinar, November 2021
- “The Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020: new tools to combat financial crimes,” LinkedIn, February 2021
- “SEC Amends the Private Offering Framework,” LinkedIn, December 2020
- “Avoiding FCPA Trouble – Hints from the DOJ’s Advisory Opinion,” LinkedIn, November 2020
- “Understanding the CARES Act & the New 7A Loans,” LinkedIn, March 2020
- “Relax, Oracle v. Google Isn’t a Sign of the Apocalypse,” LinkedIn, March 2018
- “Structuring Software and Technology Reseller and Distributor Agreements: Guide for Corporate and Technology Counsel for Drafting and Negotiating Contracts”, Strafford Publications, Inc., September 2013
- “IP Issues”, American Conference Institute, February 2008
- “Understanding Your Corporate Client”, Headnotes (Journal of the Dallas Bar Association), June 2008
- “Balancing Competing Interests”, American Conference Institute, April 2008
- “What do you need in your software license grant?”, American Conference Institute, October 2004
- “The License Grant: getting what you really want”, American Conference Institute, June 2004
- “The License Grant: determining what you really need or want”, American Conference Institute, October 2003
- “Passing it on: Five basic issues in technology licensing”, Business Law Today, July/August 2003
- “Licensing Intellectual Property Overseas: China”, University of Houston’s 15th Annual Computer and Information Law Institute, September 2001
- “Intellectual Property Protections in China,” Docket of the American Corporate Counsel Association, November 2000
