James is ranked in Chambers High Net Worth and The Legal 500 and is recognised in Legal Week’s Global Elite: Private Client Global Excellence listing.
As a Partner in our Private Client team, James advises international clients – including high net worth individuals, family offices, entrepreneurs and trustees – on succession planning, tax, family governance and cryptoassets. Based in the United Arab Emirates, James leads our offering in the Abu Dhabi Global Market.
A trusted adviser to globally prominent families, James combines empathy with technical expertise and a strong commercial mindset. Whether working with family offices, entrepreneurs or senior executives, James approaches every matter with sensitivity, discretion and professionalism.
James has extensive experience in establishing trusts, foundations and corporate structures. He regularly conducts complex family governance exercises involving multiple generations and branches, with a focus on preventing disputes and fostering family harmony. He also advises on UAE structures (including ADGM and DIFC) and UAE Wills.
An early pioneer in cryptoasset advisory, James is listed as a ‘Top Recommended’ adviser in Spear’s Cryptocurrency Index (2023–2025) and is the author of Cryptoassets for Private Clients. He advises some of the world’s wealthiest crypto investors and token issuers.
