James is a broadly skilled, solutions-driven solicitor with extensive start-up, in-house and top-tier private practice experience.
Prior to founding Corvus in September 2019, James was the General Counsel of a VC backed, alternative investment marketing business. Before assuming that role, James headed the legal team of a large, independent, closed-ended fund administration business, having spent the first decade of his career in private practice in the City. Qualifying in September 2006 and initially practising as a general finance lawyer with Taylor Wessing, James moved to leading US firm Latham & Watkins in 2011 to focus on leveraged acquisitions. His time at Latham included a six month secondment as the sole deal execution lawyer on Deutsche Bank’s London-based leveraged finance desk.
James brings a diverse skillset to Corvus. In addition to advising across the full spectrum of legal and regulatory issues, James looks to take an active role in developing corporate strategies and operational workflows, working with business stakeholders to develop holistic, commercially sensitive solutions which drive growth, manage risk and promote operational efficiencies.
James holds a LLB from the University of Leeds and completed the LPC at the College of Law (now the University of Law). James qualified as a ski instructor in Canada in 2011 and is also a keen cyclist and guitarist.