James qualified as a solicitor in 1997 and is a Partner in DAC Beachcroft's Employment & Pensions Group. He has considerable experience of advising private and public sector employers in connection with strategic projects and complex litigation.

He is cited as a leading employment lawyer in both Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners 2016.

Relevant examples of his experience include:

• Successfully defending a foundation trust against claims of whistleblowing following a three week hearing, involving most of the trust's executive team, including the Chief Executive, Medical Director and Finance Director.
• Advising an NHS foundation trust in connection with changing the terms and conditions of more than 900 employees across five sites, including collective consultation pursuant to s188 Trade Union & Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.
• Advice to an NHS foundation trust relating to the closure of one of its hospital sites and the consequent relocation of staff to another hospital as well as the potential for TUPE transfers of some staff to alternative service providers.
• Many years' experience of handling the workforce aspects of major NHS reconfigurations, including those arising from 'Commissioning a Patient-Led NHS', 'Transforming Community Services', the abolition of primary care trusts and the transfer of public health functions to local authorities, including detailed employee due diligence investigations.
• Successfully defending a Police force in a multi-day whistle-blowing and disability discrimination claim involving allegations against several senior officers, including the Chief Constable.
• Frequent advice on appointment and termination of both executive and non-executive directors.

Endorsements

James is cited as a leading employment lawyer in both Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners UK 2016.

"He's good at reducing details down to a nutshell and he's confident in dealing with the board." Chambers and Partners UK 2016 Edition, Employment