James (Jim) S. Lane, III, is a seasoned legal professional and business executive with more than 40 years of transactional experience as in-house counsel and private practitioner, representing individuals, families, and privately owned businesses. Mr. Lane is an AV-rated business lawyer with private practice and corporate law department experience in corporate and business law, real estate, government relations, public affairs, and municipal and administrative law. As Of Counsel and head of the business practice, his extensive experience adds a valuable dimension to Robert R. Hopper & Associates, LLC.

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Mr. Lane’s blend of professional skills and experiences is distinguished by sound business judgment, general counsel and executive management experience in strategic planning and administration, project management; negotiation and dispute resolution; communications; and expertise in legislation, government relations and public affairs. He began his business career in public affairs with Cargill, Incorporated, in Minneapolis and Washington, D.C.  His current practice areas include business and real estate, including entity formation and sale, purchase, financing/refinancing, and auction transactions, and property tax appeals.

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EQUINE LAW PRACTICE

Mr. Lane is a respected and nationally well-known equine lawyer and a member of the American College of Equine Attorneys, who represents horse breeders and owners; boarding, racing stables, and lesson stables; trainers; veterinarians and farriers, and other horse industry participants.

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His clients have included leading commercial breeders of Thoroughbred and Hanoverian horses in North America, including the Eclipse Award-winning Leading Breeder in North America in 1989; the owners of 1990 Kentucky Derby, Breeders’ Cup Classic and champion 3-year old colt Unbridled, and other leading racehorses.  In the mid-1990s he was associated with the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association in Lexington, KY, and since 2009 been a member and currently is Chairman of the Minnesota Racing Commission.  He frequently attends the University of Kentucky National Equine Law Conference and is a member of the Thoroughbred Club of America in Lexington, KY.

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Mr. Lane has lectured and written on policy issues in thoroughbred breeding and racing, including performance rights of racehorse owners, national marketing of Thoroughbred racing, and competitive forms of gaming and wagering.  He is also interested in animal welfare, having served since 2006 through 2014 as a director of the Animal Humane Society, where he has advocated for vigorous enforcement of animal welfare laws in Minnesota and neighboring states.

Mr. Lane has owned and ridden horses with his family, raced horses in partnership with friends in the mid-1980s, and played polo with the Twin City Polo Club for 20 years.