Monday, March 09, 2015

In Memoriam: Jim Hamilton



It is with great sadness that we share news of the passing of Jim Hamilton, a colleague and friend to those within Wolters Kluwer and, for nearly 40 years, a source of insight for the broader “World of Securities Regulation.”

Jim was Principal Analyst for Securities Law at Wolters Kluwer Law & Business. One of the nation’s most respected thought leaders in the securities arena, Jim was dedicated to his profession, to his colleagues, and especially to his readers. Over the course of his illustrious career tracking, analyzing, and explaining securities law, Jim authored countless reports, books, and articles relied on by practitioners both nationally and globally. This very blog was one of the company's first forays into social media. Jim held it to the highest of standards, and as a result the blog is one of the most widely read and cited in the industry.

Jim's expert insights, first recognized in his analysis of legislation in the 1980s, brought him fully into the spotlight when he was cited as an authority in the U.S. Senate Banking Committee report of the Dodd-Frank Act. His analysis of that legislation was — and remains — definitive. His commitment to accurate and impartial discussion of securities law has helped thousands of attorneys navigate the intricacies of this complex practice area.

For those of us who knew him, it was on a personal level that Jim will be most remembered. He was supremely generous: mentoring others (including many contributors to this blog), volunteering for countless writing assignments on short notice, and helping with sales presentations. Yet for all his knowledge, he was remarkably humble, always preferring to shine the spotlight on someone else's achievements even though his were, in many ways, without equal. Jim simply wanted the best for his company, his colleagues, and his readers.

By those privileged to know him, as well as those in the industry who benefitted from his extraordinary insights, Jim will be truly missed.

"Being neutral in discussing the material does not preclude being passionate about it. Even in my blog I try to be right down the line with everything, which has helped me maintain my credibility. Our customers need information that is objective and accurate so that they can form their own opinions." —Jim Hamilton.

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Jim's colleagues share his passion, expertise, and commitment to excellence. This blog is part of Jim's legacy; as such it will continue to be published under his name, and will continue to serve practitioners as a source of insight, guidance and inspiration.