Browne Jacobson LLP

Employment.

James is head of our Birmingham employment practice and a partner in the team dealing predominantly with private sector work. He has 19 years’ experience of all aspects of employment law dealing with both contentious and non-contentious issues. He deals with the firm’s tech, retail and manufacturing clients.

He has been involved in a number of high profile reported cases in the EAT, High Court and Court of Appeal. He has particular experience of advising on:

• cross border transactions, advising on TUPE compliance including warranties and indemnities
• protecting confidentiality/trade secrets and enforcing restrictive covenants for the purposes of business protection
• discrimination and whistleblowing claims.

James regularly trains the department’s clients with other members of our team and speaks at local and national conferences on employment law. He has provided multi-day training to a number of the firm’s international clients. He has published many articles for the local and industry press.

James also undertakes international employment work and is a member of the firm’s Pangea Employment group, which is a group of international lawyers, and sits on the firm’s international desk. James is also a board member of the British American Business Council in the Midlands which is an organisation aimed at promoting transatlantic trade and business. He is also a trustee of Performances Birmingham Limited which manages the world renowned Town and Symphony Halls in Birmingham.

James is the head of the firm’s national employment law team. He is recognised by the legal directories as a leader in his field. James advises and represents the firm’s corporate clients in a number of sectors including in energy and infrastructure, retail and food and drink. He also acts as the employment lead for the firm’s higher education clients. James’ clients have instructed him in the Employment Tribunal, Employment Appeal Tribunal, High Court and Court of Appeal. A number of his cases have appeared in the law reports as leading UK authorities on employment law.

James undertakes all employment law related work, often with an international angle. He is known for his pragmatic and robust approach to matters, never ‘sitting on the fence’. He has trained the firm’s clients and speaks at local and national conferences on employment law. He has published articles in the Times, Times Educational Supplement and is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association where he is also extensively published. He also sits on the Law Society’s Employment Law Committee and is involved in consultation on new and proposed legislation.

James is passionate about music and the arts and is a Board member of B:Music, which manages the world renowned Town Hall and Symphony Hall in Birmingham. He is also President of the GBCC Transatlantic Chamber (formerly the British American Business Council) and he has hosted and participated in events on some of society’s biggest issue ranging from world economy to carbon emission reduction with Liz Truss MP, Woody Johnson (Donald Trump’s Ambassador to the UK), Andy Street (Mayor of the West Midlands), and the High Commissioner of Canada.

Trained Shakespeares; qualified 2001; associate Shakespeares 2003-08; associate Browne Jacobson 2008-12; partner Browne Jacobson 2012.

Employment Lawyers Association; trustee of Performances Birmingham Limited. British American Business Council in the Midlands.

King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys; University of East Anglia (French 2(1) hons); University of Birmingham (CPE (Commendation); LPC (Distinction)).

Running, music, family.