Expertise
James is a dual-qualified international lawyer admitted to practice in the United States and England & Wales. His practice spans international commercial arbitration, investor-state disputes, and commercial litigation. James, who has practiced on both sides of the Atlantic, has appeared frequently as an advocate in federal and state courtrooms throughout the United States. He has experience in all stages of arbitration and litigation proceedings, including fact and expert discovery/ disclosure; motion practice; company and expert witness preparation; US depositions; arbitral, bench and jury trials; appeals; and arbitral award enforcement proceedings.
James’ international arbitration practice encompasses both commercial disputes and investor-state disputes on behalf of companies, individuals, and countries worldwide. This includes disputes under the rules of numerous arbitral institutions as well as enforcement actions under the New York Convention, US Federal Arbitration Act, and UK Arbitration Act. James has often served as Tribunal Secretary in ICC arbitrations. He has also assisted clients involved in US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigations, competition litigation, mass tort actions, consumer fraud litigation, and banking and financial disputes.
James is a North America Representative for the International Chamber of Commerce Young Arbitration & ADR Forum (ICC YAAF). He also coaches Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law’s team for the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot, which takes place annually in Vienna, Austria.
James regularly works with expert witnesses in disputes involving complex scientific issues, particularly in relation to pharmaceutical products, healthcare technology, agricultural products, and environmental law. This includes preparing expert witnesses, defending and taking expert witness depositions, and developing trial strategies.
Originally from Ireland and also a US citizen, James received his Juris Doctor degree from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law and his Bachelor of Civil Law degree from University College Dublin School of Law. James also served as a Judicial Extern to the Honourable Sara L. Ellis, US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Before practising law, he ran the Brussels and Strasbourg Parliamentary offices of a Member of the European Parliament.