My Story So Far
Magic Valley
Jim grew up in the Magic Valley: born in Twin Falls and raised in Jerome, Idaho. He is the middle of 5 kids and learned to work alongside his grandfather and dad on their farm south of Jerome.
Southern California
Jim's parents divorced when he was 5, and he and his sister and 2 younger brothers lived with their mom in California until Jim was 11. His Mom, originally from Spokane, Washington, is the 2nd of 5 kids. Her dad, a retired GE electrical engineer, and mom, an artist, lived in Shady Cove, Oregon. Jim loved being around his cousins, Aunts and Uncles. His mom worked in Human Resources at McDonnell-Douglas, and they moved around quite a bit -- Orange, Villa Park, Westminster, Glendora, and Azusa. They didn't have much, but California was good to them. Jim looked up to his Pearsall cousins and especially his Uncle Jim Pearsall - a successful business executive and entrepreneur. Jim was a very picky eater, but he tried pizza for the first time around his 10th birthday at Lamppost Pizza in Orange, CA.
Back to the Farm
Jim and his younger brothers moved back to Idaho to live with their dad when Jim was 11. Grandparents, Bert and Selma Dalton made sure there were plenty of farm chores to do and always a warm meal at dinner time. Grampsy only had one leg and was missing his middle finger -- one of the consequences of dangers , was a being journeyman meat cutter. He worked hard everyday of his life, and usually singing as he worked. Gram was a retired office manager from Intermountain Gas. They got married as teenagers and stuck it out for more than 70 years.
When the younger Dalton brothers returned to Jerome, they all learned to drive at a very early age in a red 1981 GMC Sierra. At Central Elementary, some of Jim's 5th grade classmates remembered him from kindergarten, and by his childhood nickname, "Jimbob."
Jim was very active in school, serving on the student council and playing on the football, basketball, and golf teams. He was proud to attend Idaho Gem Boys State, sponsored by the American Legion, where he was elected Governor.
Jim graduated Valedictorian and was Student Body President of Jerome High School. While he enjoyed sports, he loved science and math, and was co-captain of the INL Scholastic Team, coached by Fred Coupe, and a founding member of Teens Restoring Earth's Environment (TREE), a conservation club started by Dick Jordan.
He credits Dale Mowrer (golf), Brent Clark (basketball), Jim and Denny Stauffer (basketball), Elmer Musgrave (football), Leon Madsen (wrestling), and Tim Dunne (PE/cross-country) as major influences. Academically, Jim credits his amazing teachers for pushing him to excel: Ken Wright (Calculus); Fred Coupe (Chemistry); Dick Jordan (Biology); English teachers Gayla Otto, Judi Fredericksen, Linda Burton, Linda Humphrey, and Karen James; Barbara Jund (Algebra II); Brad Davidson (History); Bill Boubak (Government); Leon Kytle (French); Skip Andrew (Psychology); Sandi Wight and Lynn Swan (speech/reading); Mrs. Peavey (6th Grade); and Miss Fink (5th Grade). And, Jim recalls the major influence of his counselor and friend, Don Fowler and Principals Carole Matthews, Clark Muscat, Ed Peterson, and Craig Ainsworth.
University of Idaho
Jim received full scholarship offers from Brigham Young University, Utah State University, and the University of Southern California, with full-tuition scholarships to Duke University and George Washington University. He received a 4-year ROTC scholarship and was accepted to both the U.S. Air Force Academy and the United States Military Academy at West Point. He had hoped to follow in his father and older brother's footsteps by serving in the Army, but he was ultimately medically disqualified because of a high school sports injuries. Instead, he kept up family traditions by accepting a full scholarship to attend the University of Idaho - where his parents met.
Moscow
At Idaho, Jim pledged Phi Delta Theta fraternity, just like his dad, and he made some of his best and lifelong friends at 804 Elm St. Both his younger brothers also pledged.
Jim studied Civil Engineering and was a member of the Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society. He was also active in student government, elected ASUI Student Body President as a junior and serving in various capacities, including Co-Chair of the University of Idaho's NCAA Steering Committee, Chairman of the Student Recreation Center Task Force, a Member of the Idaho State Engineering Advisory Committee, a Member of the University of Idaho Alumni Board of Directors, and a Member of the University of Idaho Foundation Board. He also participated in many community service and charitable fundraising activities, including supporting Palouse Habitat for Humanity, the Red Cross, and various environmental causes. He was a member of the Idaho College Republicans, volunteering on U.S. Senator Dirk Kempthorne's senate campaign.
Idaho Legislature
While serving as Student Body President, Jim worked with friend and colleague, Ben Rush, to promote student interests at the Idaho Legislature. He met with Governor Phil Batt to address student safety issues, and successfully lobbied the legislature to adopt University-branded vanity license plates so alumni could represent and support their alma mater. During this time, Jim met Jill Infanger, who was then working as a legislative page.
Israel
As Student Body President for Idaho, Jim was selected by the American Jewish Committee for Project Interchange, a travel seminar that took him to Israel to study the complex Middle-East peace process. Traveling with other Student Body Presidents from across the country, Jim toured Israel and met with both Jewish and Palestinian families, as well as government leaders.
Missionary Service
Before graduation, Jim took a sabbatical from school as a missionary for our church, where he received intensive Spanish language instruction and became fluent in Spanish. For two years, he taught and served hundreds of individuals and families. After, he returned to Moscow to finish his studies at the University of Idaho.
Marriage
Jim and Jill Infanger reconnected and the couple married in Boise after Jim graduated from the University of Idaho.
Boise
In 2000, three days after getting married, Jim and Jill moved to Boise, and Jim took a job as a Speechwriter and Special Assistant to then Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne. He was also a Policy Assistant on Military, Veterans, and Native American affairs, as well as Natural Resources. He wrote hundreds of speeches, memos, and talking points to help the Governor fulfil his duties, including 6 State of the State addresses. He left the Governor's office to attend law school.
JC Penney Salon
Jill had attended Cosmetology school at the Bon Losee school in Provo, UT before she married Jim. In Boise, Jill worked at the JC Penney Salon at the Boise Towne Square Mall.
Boise Baby - Kaylee
While living and working in Boise, Jim and Jill welcome their first daughter, Kaylee. Dr. Kerry Lowder delivered the newborn just after 8 am.
Law School
Jim chose to pursue a juris doctor at the J. Reuben Law School in Provo, Utah, a top 25-ranked law school. He graduated magna cum laude and was the Lead Articles of the BYU Law Review. He was fortunate to have two publications printed in the law review.
While in law school, Jim earned the prestigious Hugh B. Brown Award in his second year, and the J. Reuben Clark Award as a third year student. He spent his last semester of law school on an externship with the Idaho Snake River Basin Adjudication and then as a contract city prosecutor in his home town.
Law School Baby - Tessa
During law school, Jim and Jill welcomed their second daughter, Tessa. Living at Wymount Terrace, Tessa came home to an eager big sister.
Jones Day - Dallas, TX
Jim passed the Idaho Bar Exam, scoring in the 98th percentile on the multi-state. He also passed the Texas Bar Exam, earning the 3rd highest score, and receiving special recognition from the Texas Supreme Court.
In 2007, he took a job as an Associate attorney at the Dallas office of Jones Day, a major international law firm. He received amazing training at Jones Day and joined the litigation practice as a member of the Securities Litigation and SEC Enforcement practice group. Jim helped represent Fortune 50 companies when they faced shareholder litigation or SEC enforcement.
Texas Baby - Josie
Josie, the only native Texan of the Dalton clan was born while Jim, Jill, Kaylee and Tessa lived in Dallas. She was born at Medical City after more than 12 hours of labor, proving that the best things come to those who wait.
Pocatello - 9th Circuit Clerkship
In 2008, Jim took a one-year sabbatical from Jones Day to serve a prestigious Judicial Clerkship for Judge N. Randy Smith on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. Judge Smith was nominated by President George W. Bush. As a law Clerk, Jim reviewed briefs and trial court records from cases on appeal, wrote dozens of bench memorandum for the appellate judges chosen to sit on appellate panels, and ultimately wrote a number of judicial opinions under the direction of Judge Smith, when he was selected to write the opinion of the court.
Idaho Falls - Riverbend General Counsel
After the clerkship, Jim returned to Jones Day, although he'd been selected to become a Judge Advocate General for the U.S. Army. Because of his prior injuries, he had to wait to seek a medical waiver.
In 2010, while waiting for the waiver, he received an offer to return to Idaho as General Counsel to Riverbend Management, an asset management firm and Family Office for Frank VanderSloot -- one of Idaho's most successful entrepreneurs, with billions in assets under management. Jim worked for Riverbend and was Mr. VanderSloot's personal attorney for nearly 6 years, ultimately being promoted to General Manager of the Family Office.
Riverbend had a portfolio of dozens of small businesses, ranging from cattle ranches, farms, title companies, hospitality companies, semi-conductors, radio stations, construction, and real estate development, as well as hundreds of thousands of acres of farm, ranch, and development ground. Jim managed two dozen employees and oversaw hundreds of employees at various portfolio companies. He managed multiple litigation matters to successful resolution, negotiated multiple private equity transactions, including complex mergers and acquisitions, and directed more than $100 million in real estate transactions.
Riverbend Baby 1 - Jimmer
Jill was pregnant with our 4th child and first son when Jim accepted the job with Riverbend. In fact, Mr. VanderSloot called Jim to make him the offer about 2 minutes after Jill had delivered Jimmer.
Riverbend Baby 2 - Lyla
Our final addition to the family, Lyla, came just a year after her big brother.
Federal Prosecutor
in 2016, Jim left Riverbend to accept a one-year appointment as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney to prosecute Federal gang, drug, and gun crimes in Eastern Idaho. During the appointment, he successfully secured criminal indictments in 45 cases, securing convictions for some of Idaho's most dangerous. During the year, he participated in 3 criminal jury trials, and was lead counsel in one successful trial, securing the conviction of a felon in possession of ammunition, in connection with a high-profile murder case in Indian Country.
Charter Schools
Beginning in 2005, Jim began working with Charter Schools to help them organize, draft and secure approval on charter applications, and assist with 501(c)(3) non-profit status. The first, North Valley Academy in Gooding, opened in 2008, with American Heritage Charter School opening in Idaho Falls in 2013. Jim continues to provide legal and back office support as legal counsel. Jim has written or co-written two federal grants securing more than $2 million to support American Heritage's growth. Since 2017, Jim has played an integral role in preparing annual budgets, forecasts, and financial reports, in addition to providing general legal counsel.
Outside General Counsel
After the end of his term as a Special Federal Prosecutor, Jim returned to private practice in Idaho Falls, where he primarily acted as outside corporate counsel for a number of local businesses. He continues to advise clients on business start-up, real estate, commercial contracts, and business continuity and estate planning.
Our family started the New Sweden Farms Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch in 2017. Each family member contributes time and labor to run the corn maze, with the kids providing the farm labor during the summer, and all hands working during the fall to welcome thousands of customers. Jim's contributions came in the beginning to help with the business start-up and land use entitlements. He also continues to represent the business as legal matters arise. During the maze, Jim and Jill can be seen together in the ticket booth.
Kyani General Counsel
In 2018, one of Jim's clients, Kyani, asked him to take a lead role as Deputy General Counsel over litigation, where he managed more than 40 active cases. He was promoted to General Counsel and was instrumental in revising corporate policies, instituting a more robust compliance program, and taking on additional operational responsibilities as the company was forced to restructure.
After a tragic accident that took the lives of two of Kyani's Founders, including its CEO, Jim helped the Company's surviving shareholders ensure business continuity and was tasked to find a suitor and negotiate a merger/acquisition. Working with the CFO, Jim met with and screened more than a half-dozen suitors and successfully completed a merger with Amare Global.
7k Metals General Counsel
Upon completion of the Kyani-Amare merger in late 2022, Jim accepted an offer to become General Counsel of 7k Metals, a recent start-up precious metals dealer based in Idaho Falls. As General Counsel, Jim has written and helped the company adopt policies, and implement a robust compliance program to comply with (a) anti-money laundering laws applicable to precious metal dealers, (b) advertising laws, and (c) FTC and anti-pyramid laws and guidelines applicable to multi-level marketing companies. In addition, Jim continues to review and draft contracts, negotiate legal settlements, manage litigation, and provided both legal and strategic counsel to senior management.
