James L. Rudolph | Rudolph Friedmann, LLP | Boston Business Litigation Attorney

Attorney Profiles

James L. Rudolph
Managing Partner
Boston, Massachusetts

phone 617 723-7700
fax 617 227-0313

Jim Rudolph is the managing partner of Rudolph Friedmann LLP. Several years ago he was named "Best Lawyer" by Boston Magazine. He has also been selected as a Massachusetts Super Lawyer by Boston Magazine in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

As a seasoned business and employment attorney, Jim tries to bring his clients sound practical and legal advice. Over the last thirty years, Jim and his full-service law firm have assisted thousands of individuals and companies to meet their personal and professional goals, be it business consulting, negotiating or litigating. In addition to advising businesses on partnership, corporate and employment law issues, Jim has an expertise in real estate, construction law and stockholder disputes.

To stay abreast of the ever-changing business climate, Jim is actively involved in several business, industry and community activities. In addition to Jim's legal practice, he is a frequent writer and speaker.

For over thirty years, Jim has been rated "AV" by Martindale-Hubbell, the national directory of lawyers, which is the highest rating attainable.

Jim's representation of clients has included:

Managing sophisticated and complex litigation in all areas of the law.
Employment law issues including wrongful terminations, non-compete disputes, sexual harassment claims, confidentiality and non-disclosure litigation and employment related litigation.
Drafting employment agreements and related documents including buy sell and severance agreements.
Formation of new businesses including drafting articles of incorporation, by-laws, stockholder agreements and LLC operating agreements.
Transactional work for several institutional and private lenders involving commercial and real estate loans.
Negotiation of complicated mergers and acquisitions of privately held companies in various industries.
Handling various types of construction related matters including lien and bond claims, bid contests, arbitrations and mediations, and complex litigation.
Legal services in connection with sale of hotels, restaurants and liquor licenses.
Stockholder disputes and litigation, including the following cases involving stockholders rights and business divorces:
- Mark Berkowitz vs. Legal Seafoods, Inc.
- James Cafarelli's suit against his former partner, chef Todd English
- Other stockholder disputes involving the following business: Colella's Super Markets, Inc., Quality Components, Inc., Newbury Guest House, Harborside Inn, Air Carrier Support, Incorporated, Color Technology, Inc., Gilcorp, Inc., Security Source, Inc., Austin Sportswear, Inc., Prophecy Development, Inc., Barnsider Group, United Marble Fabricators, Inc., Curtain Insurance Agency, Inc., Formaggio Kitchens, Rustic Kitchens, Electric Supply Center, Inc., National American Rubber Thread Company, Inc., Porthole Pub and Restaurant, Waves, Inc., and AIAL, Inc., Tapeo, Inc.

Areas of Practice:

Business Transactions
Business Litigation
Construction Law
Real Estate

Bar Admissions:

Massachusetts, 1975
U.S. District Court District of Massachusetts, 1976
U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit, 1976
U.S. Supreme Court, 1984

Education:

Boston College Law School - Boston, Massachusetts
University of Denver - Denver, Colorado
Governor Dummer Academy - Byfield, MA

Seminars/Classes Taught:

"Debt Liquidation in a Bad Economy; How We Get General Contractors, Subcontractors and Suppliers Paid Now", National Association of Credit Managers, Januay 26, 2012
"Taking Stock Of Your Business: Legal Rights and Responsibilities Every Restaurant Owner Should Know", Massachusetts Restaurant Association, November 15, 2011;
Sharenolder Rights In Closely-Held Businesses,The Boston College Club, april 16, 2010
Business Partnerships "Makeups and Breakups", SBANE, March 9, 2010
Getting Paid In Difficult Times, NorthEast Electrical Distributors, March 4, 2010
Sharenolders Rights in Closely Held Businesses, National Association of Credit Valuation Analysts (NACVA), January 28, 2010
Getting Paid in a Difficult Economy: Legal Rights and Remedies Availalbe in the Construction Industry, Air Purchase, Inc., November 19, 2009
Shareholder Rights in Closely Held Businesses, Eastern Bank, November 18, 2009
Shareholder Rights in Closing Held Businesses, Associated Builders and Contractors, November 4, 2009
"Dispute Resolution in Today''s Economy", McGladrey & Pullen LLP, November 7, 2008
"Construction Litigation in Massachusetts", Associated Bulders and Contractors, 2007
"New Public Construction Reform Act May be Amended", Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. Merit Shop Newsletter, 2005
"Pay When Paid Clauses: Proposed Legislations and Recent Cases May Change the Law", 2004
"How to Buy Commercial Real Estate", Building Massachusetts, 2002
"Contractor's Beware-Triple Damages and Legal Fees in Arbitration Cases", Building Massachusetts, 2002
"The Art of Negotition", Seminar for Bank Commercial Lenders, April 2, 2002
"Constructionn Litigation in Massachusetts", Loman Educational Seminars, January 29, 2002
"Negotiating in the New Economy", Associated Bluilders and Contractors, February 21, 2002
"We'll show You the Money: Legal Remedies for Contractors in the New Millenium", Associated Builders and Contractors, March 22, 2001
"Shareholders Rights in Closely Held Corporations", Litigation Support and Business Valuation Committee, Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants, January 17, 2001
"The Art of Negotiation", Associated Builders and Contractors, June 24, 1999
"Close Quarters in Small Companies", Mass. High Tech. Law and Technology, April 26, 1999
"Stockholders Rights in Closely Held Corporations", Society of Appraisers, Massachusetts Chapter, March 3, 1999
"Stockholders Rights in Closely Held Corporations", Nationalo Associagtion of Certified Valuation Analysis, January 16, 1999
"The Special Litigation Committee: Origin, Development and Adoption Under Massachusetts Law", Massachusetts Law Review, 1998
"Massachusetts Law Protects Rights of Shareholders in Close Corporations", Law & Accounting Section of Banks and Tradesmen, November 16, 1998
"Shareholders' Rights in Closely Held Companies", February 19, 1998
"Recent Amendments Improve the Massachusetts Lien Law", Associated Builders and Contractors, 1997
"A Layman's Guide to Getting Paid in the Nineties: Legal Remedies Availalbe to the General Contractor, Subcontractor and Material Supplier", 1995
"Abuses of the Law Should be Dealt with Severally", Daily News Mercury, March 1, 1994
"Attorney Outlines Sex Harass Grounds", Daily News Mercury, April 6, 1994
"Attorney Answers on Price Control Suit", Daily News Mercury, April 29, 1994
"Damaages Can Be Retrieved by the Courts", Daily News Mercury, March 28, 1994
"Workers Rights Are Hot Topic", Daily News Mercury, May 9, 1994
"Negligent Salvage; Reduction of Award, Forfeiture of Award or Damages", Journal of Maritime Law and Commerce, 1976

Honors and Awards:

Bennett I. Solomon Community Leadership Award, 2009

Massachusetts Super Lawyer, Boston Magazine, 2004-2011

JRC Recognition Award (Jewish Rehabilition Center for Aged of the North Shore), 2001

David Ben-Gurion State of Israel Leadership Award, 1999

"Best Lawyer of 1998", Boston Magazine

Community Leadership Award, Anti-Defamation League, 1996

Chairman's Award, Anti-Defamation League, 1990

Marquis Who's Who in American Law, 1999-Present

Associations and Memberships:

Anti-Defamation League/New England Regional Board
Chair, Board of Overseers (2008-present)
Chair, New England Regional Board (2006-2008)
The Governor's Academy
Vice President (2011-present)
Trustee (1997-present); Chair, Trustee Relations Committee
Associated Builders and Contractors, Massachusetts
President; (2001 – 2002)
General Counsel and Member of Board of Directors; (2002-present)
North Shore Chamber of Commerce
Member, Board of Directors; (2009 - Present)
JRC Charitable Foundation,
Past President; (2000 - 2002)
Jewish Rehabilitation Center for the Aged of the North Shore
Past President; (1992 - 1994 )
Town of Swampscott
Selectman; 1990 - 1993
Swampscott Zoning Board of Appeals
Member and Chairman; 1982 - 1989
Legal Sales and Services Organization (LSSO)
USTrust/Essex and USTrust/Middlesex
Board of Directors; (1994 - 2000)
Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency Multi-Family Advisory Committee
Member; (1992 - 1995)
Camp Kingswood, Bridgeton, Maine, (A CJP Constituent Agency)
President; (1987 - 1989)
Camp Bauercrest
Member, Board of Directors; (1985 - 1987)
Massachusetts Bar Association
Massachusetts Conveyancers Association