Atty. 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”.
Banking Law & More Attorney · Serving Billings, MT · 44+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Doug James at a Glance
Doug James is an Of Counsel based in Billings, Montana, practicing at Moulton Bellingham PC. They have 44+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1982. Their practice focuses on business, real estate, bankruptcy, zoning, and litigation. Admitted to practice in Montana (1982). Educated at University of Montana (J.D., 1982) and Southern Methodist University (B.A., 1979). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Active member of State Bar of Montana. Serves clients in Billings, MT and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About 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
Practice Areas Explained
Doug James's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Doug James handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Billings.
Business & Corporate Law in Billings
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Doug James is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Montana →
Real Estate Law in Billings
Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.
Doug James is one of 313,729 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in Montana →
Bankruptcy & Debt in Billings
A bankruptcy attorney can help you eliminate debt, stop creditor harassment, and protect your home through Chapter 7 or Chapter 13.
Doug James is one of 104,458 bankruptcy attorneys indexed nationally. Browse bankruptcy attorneys in Montana →
Land Use & Zoning in Billings
Doug James is one of 39,875 zoning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse zoning attorneys in Montana →
Civil Litigation in Billings
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Doug James is one of 450,751 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Montana →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Billings
Practicing law in Montana. Legal matters in Montana are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Billings are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Montana state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Montana brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Montana courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Billings Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Billings-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Montana attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Billings or all attorneys in Montana.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Billings Choose Doug James
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Doug James's practice in the field of business, real estate, bankruptcy, zoning, and litigation.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Doug James brings 44+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering business, real estate, and bankruptcy, Doug James can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Billings
A Billings-based practice means Doug James attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Doug James Handles in Billings
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Doug James has experience with under Montana law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Doug James directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
Search Reference
How People Find Doug James Online
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Doug James's Practice Areas & Specializations
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