Leadership

Jim brings decades of exceptional legal acumen and strategic business leadership to CMBG, and served as a trusted outside general counsel and leading business advisor to a diverse portfolio of companies around the country. His distinguished career spans venture capital financing, corporate restructuring, and executive leadership, making him an invaluable asset to organizations navigating complex business transformations.

With masterful precision, Jim orchestrates corporate strategies while safeguarding legal interests, guiding companies through sensitive, high-profile restructuring matters with both efficiency and empathy. His rare combination of legal expertise and business intelligence provides him with a distinctive perspective that seamlessly integrates ethical considerations with business imperatives.

Boards of directors, C-suite executives, and business owners regularly seek Jim's counsel on corporate matters, including structured loan transactions, complex mergers and acquisitions, multi-faceted restructuring operations, and intricate corporate securities issues.

Beyond his exemplary legal practice, Jim has distinguished himself as an executive officer and strategic business advisor across numerous industries. Before founding the prestigious Baer, Negrin & Troff, and CMBG Advisors, Jim led the Corporate Department at Katten, Muchin & Zavis in Los Angeles, following his tenure with the internationally renowned Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP.

Jim's academic credentials include a Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School.

Neil Massa joined CMBG Advisors in August 2018. Since then, he has participated in over 15 projects relating to maximizing recovery for lenders, creditors, and investors for ABC proceedings.

Neil leads a specialized team of investigators and recovery specialists, overseeing CMBG's network of operations involving wind downs, asset sales, liquidations, as well as inventory and records management.

Prior to joining CMBG, Neil served over 35 years in law enforcement for agencies in Northern and Southern California, including two years on a Federal Environmental Crimes Task Force and status as a Special Deputy U.S. Marshal, where he developed his talent for assembling and directing high-performing teams.

With dual expertise in law enforcement and private security, Neil directed forensic investigation teams uncovering diversion of assets, bankruptcy fraud, misappropriation of funds, and cases of fraudulent conveyances. Under his guidance, his team has successfully resolved preference actions and inside transfers across diverse industries.

Neil has established himself as a seasoned business leader with a diverse portfolio of entrepreneurial ventures. He successfully founded and scaled a retail pet store in Santa Monica. His executive experience extends to multiple corporate boards of directors.