James Blake is a growth-oriented business attorney who strives to be a creative business partner, to identify value-add opportunities, and to crystallize the relationships, structures, and processes that will drive your commercial success. James Blake practices law in Texas and Hawaii, and has protected the interests of businesses across a broad range of industries, including technology, construction, service and retail, food and beverage, franchisors and franchisees, product manufacturers, and investors. His work experience encompasses commercial transactions, litigation, and advising business operations in the U.S., Africa, and Asia. James was an editor of Law Review at the University of Hawaii and conducted international commercial law research for the Institute of Asian Pacific Business Law. He served as the Official Reporter for the 2008 IAPBL China Enterprise Bankruptcy Law Symposium held in Hong Kong, and in the same year worked at a large firm in Singapore. James currently advises clients in international business and investment issues in addition serving his client’s legal and business needs in Hawaii and Texas. Currently based in Austin, Texas, James is an avid writer and enjoys speaking at business-law seminars in addition to his legal practice. In his spare time, James enjoys sculling and kayaking on Ladybird Lake, outdoor photography, and supporting visual and performing arts.

Caroline Valentine, President, founded ValentineHR in 2004 with the goal of providing effective human resource solutions to companies in the small to mid-sized business space. Her career background includes both hands-on and leadership roles within human resources, recruiting, training and business development teams for companies in various stages of growth. Having held respected positions in the HR field for over a decade, she is now dedicated to providing professional and innovative services to clients in many industries including technology, manufacturing, professional services, banking, education, energy, transportation, construction, retail, entertainment, ecommerce, and non-profit. Caroline possesses expertise in recruitment and retention, workforce planning, employee relations, organizational development, compensation and benefits, compliance and liability, management and staff training and HRIS and ATS assessments. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin and is a member of the Austin Human Resource Management Association and the Society of Human Resources Management. She received her PHR certification in 2001 and her SPHR in 2010. Caroline has been active with many local non-profits including Meals on Wheels, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Busby Foundation, Entrepreneurs Foundation of Central Texas and SAG Foundation.