Ripp, Paul J.

Jim is a shareholder in the firm of Briggs and Morgan, Professional Association. He is based in our Minneapolis office and is a member of the Business Law Section. Jim practices principally in the areas of:

• Federal tax law
• Individual, partnership and corporate tax planning
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Tax-exempt organizations
• General commercial and corporate law

Jim provides tax planning advice to individuals, partnerships, LLCs and corporations in connection with the formation of new companies, mergers and acquisitions, formation of joint ventures, like-kind exchanges, and general business operations. These clients are involved in a variety of industries, including banking, venture capital, real estate, construction, consulting and investing. He also represents clients undergoing audit by the IRS.

Jim has been actively practicing in the area of the New Market Tax Credits (NMTC) program since its inception in 2001. He has organized community development entities (CDEs) and represented CDEs, borrowers and other parties in structuring and closing numerous NMTC transactions.

Jim also advises charitable and non-charitable tax-exempt organizations, including health care entities, schools, religious and civic organizations. In addition to advising management of these organizations with respect to matters pertaining to general operation and maintenance of tax-exempt status, Jim has assisted clients in forming, restructuring and dissolving tax-exempt
organizations, as well as forming donor advised funds.

Jim is admitted to practice in Minnesota, Missouri and Illinois, as well as before the U.S. Tax Court. He has been named a "Rising Star" by Minnesota Law & Politics.

Jim received his B.A. in economics from the University of Minnesota and his law degree magna cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law. He received his master's degree in taxation (LLM.) from New York University, School of Law. After obtaining his LLM, Jim worked as law clerk for the Honorable Robert P. Ruwe, of the United States Tax Court, in Washington, D.C. Following his clerkship, he joined the law firm of Lewis Rice and Fingersh in St. Louis, Missouri, where he concentrated his practice in federal and state taxation. Jim joined Briggs in 1997.