James’ practice focuses on advising companies in the Energy and Infrastructure sector with their international energy investments.
Widely recognized as a leading energy lawyer, James advises clients on transactions in Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Africa and North America. He has extensive experience advising on the structuring and development of large-scale oil and gas projects, LNG sale arrangements, and energy-related mergers and acquisitions. James also supports clients at the forefront of the energy transition, advising on the structuring of liquid hydrogen and green ammonia projects and product sale arrangements.
In Chambers UK (Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading, 2021), James has been described as "very down to earth and user-friendly. He understands relationship building and is willing to go the extra mile to help his clients." "He's very knowledgeable of the industry, very easy to work with and very efficient.”
James is routinely ranked as a ‘leading individual’ and ‘recommended individual’ in the following directories:
- Legal 500 UK 2023, 2021 & 2019: Oil and Gas: Projects, Energy and Natural Resources
- Legal 500 UK 2019-2021: Derivatives (including commodities)
- Chambers Asia-Pacific: Projects & Energy: International (Japan), 2010−2020; Energy & Natural Resources (Asia Pacific Region), 2012−2015 and 2017
- Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Japan, Projects and Energy: International Firms and Joint Ventures (Leading Individual) 2016 - 2017 and 2019 -2020
- Chambers Global, Energy & Natural Resources (Asia Pacific Region), 2018 and 2012 - 2016; Projects and Energy: International (Japan), 2012 - 2016, and 2018 – 2019
James is also recognized in the following:
- Best Lawyers: Japan, Energy Law, 2019, 2018 and 2013 - 2015
- Legal Media Group’s (Euromoney’s) Expert Guide to the World’s Leading Energy & Natural Resource Lawyers: 2011, 2013, 2016 & 2017
- IFLR 1000: Corporate and M&A, Energy and infrastructure, Project Development, and Oil & Gas (Japan), 2015 - 2016 and 2019 - 2020
- International Who's Who: Legal (Law Business Research Ltd.) Energy & Natural Resources, 2016 - 2018
- International Who’s Who: Energy Lawyers (Law Business Research Ltd.), 2014, 2013
