James M. Zimmerman

James M. Zimmerman


Taft

Recognized since 2013

Cincinnati, Ohio

Practice Areas

Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)

Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law

Corporate Law

Mergers and Acquisitions Law

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
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Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2020 - Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
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James M. Zimmerman is a partner in Taft’s Business and Finance Group and co-chair of the firm’s private equity and venture capital practice. He represents businesses, entrepreneurs and investors on a range of matters, including financing transactions, mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, technology licensing agreements, and stock options/executive compensation. James serves as outside counsel for numerous startups and growth companies, and represents private equity and venture capital groups in fund formation and investments. He also has significant experience leading complex financing and M&A transactions.

In addition to his legal practice, James plays a leadership role in several community organizations and initiatives. He is a co-founder of Cincinnati Innovates, a regional innovation competition that has received hundreds of entries and awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in prizes since its creation in 2009. James also is general counsel to Cintrifuse, an organization formed in 2012 by several of the largest organizations in Cincinnati to coordinate and catalyze the Cincinnati region’s innovation ecosystem.

James serves on the board of the Greater Cincinnati Venture Association, Breakthrough Cincinnati and The Circuit, and on the finance and investment committee for ArtsWave. He is actively involved with The Brandery, a Top 15 seed stage business accelerator. He is a frequent speaker on entrepreneurship and venture capital.

Location
  • 425 Walnut Street, Suite 1800
    Cincinnati, OH 45202-3957
Education
  • Vanderbilt University, J.D., graduated 1999
  • Vanderbilt University, BA, graduated 1996
Bar Admissions
  • Ohio, Ohio State Bar Association
Affiliations
  • ArtsWave - Board member
  • Breakthrough Cincinnati - Board Member
  • Greater Cincinnati Venture Association - Board Member
  • The Circuit - Board Member

Taft
Cincinnati, Ohio

361 The Best Lawyers in America® awards

131 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards

Best Law Firms Badge Visit Website View Firm Profile

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2020 - Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Cincinnati (2025)
  • Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Cincinnati (2021)
  • Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Cincinnati (2020)
  • Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Cincinnati (2017)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
  • Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
  • Corporate Law
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Awards:
  • Forty Under 40, Cincinnati Business Courier 2010
  • Leading Lawyer, Cincy Magazine
  • Best Lawyers in Southwest Ohio, Cincinnati Business Courier
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Venture Capital Law

Publications

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