James Curtis

(Jim) Curtis earned his B.A. degree with High Honors from Eastern Illinois University and his J.D. degree from the University of Southern California Law School, where he served as Vice Chair of the Hale Moot Court Honors Program.   Jim is Vice President & Senior Counsel at Bank of the West, where he advises clients on contracts and banking operations law.  In 2006, the California Bankers Association, the nation’s largest banking trade association, presented Jim with the Compliance Professional Award, in recognition of distinguished service to the California banking industry.  Prior to joining Bank of the West, he was in-house counsel to California Federal Bank and Security Pacific National Bank.  Jim teaches the course in Commercial Paper at USC Law School.   Jim has worked with and supervised paralegals for more than 25 years.  He teaches Contracts for the PTP.