James is an experienced advocate with a broad civil, commercial and public law practice. He has particular expertise in contract disputes, trusts, insurance and judicial review. He appears in trial and appellate courts and in arbitrations.

James graduated with a law and politics degree from the University of Auckland.  He also holds a masters in law with first class honours from the University of Cambridge, which he attended as a WM Tapp scholar.

James began his career at Bell Gully. He then spent two years at the Court of Appeal as a judge’s clerk to the Honourable Sir Robert Chambers.

Prior to joining the bar in New Zealand, James worked at an American law firm in London, where he practised in international commercial arbitration.