James J. Butera is from the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area and received his Bachelor's degree in 1966 from St. Joseph's College in Philadelphia.  He was then commissioned in the United States Marine Corps and served two combat tours in Vietnam.  His decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, a Navy Commendation and two Presidential Unit Citations.  Upon leaving the Marine Corps at the rank of Captain, Mr. Butera entered Georgetown University Law School.

After graduating in 1972, he began his law and government relations career on the staff of  the American Bankers Association.   From 1974 to 1989, he handled federal government matters for the National Council of Savings Institutions, a major Washington-based national trade association.  During his tenure at that association, Mr. Butera directed its government affairs program and served as the organization's Executive Vice President.

Mr. Butera  served on a federally-appointed financial institutions Advisory Council in 1987 and 1988.  In 1988, he was among the industry experts selected to prepare The American Agenda, under the direction of former Presidents Carter and Ford, to identify the major banking issues facing the incoming Administration. 

In 1989, Mr. Butera opened his own law and government relations firm, and has since that time represented various clients on legislative and regulatory matters.  He has published law review articles on a variety of topics, and was a contributing author to Jaws of Victory, an analysis of presidential politics published by Little, Brown & Co.