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James is a partner in the employment team.
He is an adviser, negotiator and – when required – a determined litigator.Dual qualified in New York and England & Wales, James advises senior executives, partners, founders and employers on all aspects of employment and partnership law. He is often instructed by clients with complex cross-border issues, which he handles with an adept understanding of the international issues that often arise.
James assists clients at all stages of the employment / partnership relationship, whether it be advising on documentation at the start, addressing issues that arise throughout, or planning exit strategies and negotiating severance packages when they come to an end.
He often leads multi-disciplinary teams (including employment, corporate, reputation management, regulatory, tax and immigration) and is at his best when he is helping his clients out of a hole, whether that be difficult employment terminations, resignations/removals from partnership or supporting clients through disciplinary investigations.
James has experience of litigating in the Employment Tribunal, High Court, County Court and Court of Appeal, as well as regularly resolving client disputes via alternative means such as mediation.
Clients comment that he is 'an exceptional operator' who is 'enormously knowledgeable', 'exceptionally good on technical details' and 'fantastic at dealing with cross-border matters'.
Recent recognition
Me in a minute
As a lawyer, I get the chance to help clients in many different jobs and walks of life
Growing up, there were a myriad of different jobs I thought I wanted to do: doctor (but I could not stand the sight of blood), pilot (but my red-green colour-blindness might not have been ideal when bringing that plane into land) or Formula One driver (a bit too tall for those racing cars). Instead, as a lawyer, I get the chance to help clients in many different jobs and walks of life, to understand the businesses they are in and the goals and priorities they have. Being a lawyer is about more than knowing 'the law', it is about understanding what your client needs doing and helping them do it.
If you're anything like me then you know what it is like having not only a 'nationality' but an 'internationality'. I was born in the UK, am qualified to practice law in New York and England & Wales, and my wife is American. With cross-border experience, particularly in employment matters, I pride myself on being able to help employees and employers alike with tricky international and domestic problems.
Track record
Employment advice
Providing employment advice to Renault Group on the acquisition of Lotus F1 and its €1.5 billion investment in motorsport and technology.
Multi-million pound High Court claim
Successfully representing OMV Petrom S.A. against Glencore International A.G. in a multi-million pound High Court claim regarding the sale of crude oil in Romania in the mid 1990s and subsequently successfully defending an appeal by Glencore against the c.$40million damages awarded to OMV Petrom in 2015.
Contractual documents for Italian companies
Drafting contractual documents for Italian companies engaging senior executives in the UK and USA.
CEO's exit package
Assisting the CEO of a global investment company with the negotiation of the financial and non-financial elements of his exit package.
Formula 1 Team employment law advice
Providing strategic and reactive employment law advice to the Renault Sport Formula 1 Team.
Part 8 claim
Working with Claire Christy on a client's successful Part 8 claim to rectify a UK company's register of members.
Insight
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Admissions
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State of New York, 2014
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England and Wales, 2015
Education
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King's College London, LLB (Hons)
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University College London, LLM
Languages
- English
Memberships
- New York State Bar Association
- Employment Lawyers Association
- American Bar Association
- International Forum of Senior Executive Advisers
Key dates
- Year joined: 2013