Overview
James is a Managing Associate in Dispute Resolution, specialising in technology and business crime. James has extensive experience of global bribery and corruption investigations involving the US Department of Justice and the UK Serious Fraud Office.
James has advised multiple FTSE 250 companies on complex and reputation-critical bribery and corruption investigations on a global scale, often involving both the SFO and DOJ, along with other regulators and criminal authorities around the world. Having spent a year on secondment at the SFO investigating fraud and bribery and corruption cases, James is also able to leverage his unique perspective and insights from that experience to better advise his clients.
In addition to his business crime experience, James is also a commercial litigator with experience in first instance, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court proceedings as well as pre-dispute advice.
James brings to his matters a deep interest in technology and the legal implications of technological developments. Whether it's managing the proliferation of data common to modern investigations or advising on privacy litigation, blockchain/distributed ledger technology, cyber security or the 5G roll-out, technology intersects with every part of James’ practice.
Finally, diversity and inclusion is a topic that is very important to James. He is one of the diversity and inclusion champions within his department and frequently speaks at diversity and recruitment events about his experience of being a disabled law student and lawyer.
Work highlights
James’ experience includes advising:
- Amec Foster Wheeler in relation to the Serious Fraud Office’s investigation into bribery and corruption allegations, including its alleged dealings with Unaoil
- A FTSE 250 financial services firm in respect of an internal investigation into bribery and corruption issues in Latin America, self-reporting and subsequent parallel investigations by the SFO, DOJ and FCA
- A FTSE 100 company in respect of an SFO’s investigation into alleged bribery and corruption issues in Africa, Asia and Latin America
- An individual claimant in respect of a misuse of personal data claim against an insolvent international data aggregator
- The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, a UK Charity, in respect of ground-breaking charity litigation in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court
Education and qualifications
James studied English Literature at the University of Leeds.
