James O'Connell

Partner

James specialises in assisting businesses and anyone wanting to start a business. He also specialises in crypto-currencies and block chain.

If you want assistance with any aspect of business life then James would be delighted to speak with you, for example:

Starting and running your business
Guidance on tricky shareholder/management questions
Protecting your assets through contract, trademarks or copyright
Handling employment issues
Writing or reviewing a wide variety of commercial contracts
Anything connected with crypto-currencies or block chain generally.

Qualified as a solicitor in both England/Wales and Hong Kong, James has practiced law internationally and, in the City, (where he trained as a solicitor, qualified in 1988 and later worked for a private equity house). Having created and sold several companies himself, he understands the commercial and practical realities of setting up and running a business.

James was made Partner with the firm in April 2021.

James has had a varied career: he founded the Institute of Paralegals; was the first lay member of the City of Westminster Council’s Standards Committee and helped establish an Equality and Human Rights Commission working group to promote diversity in the professions.

He has made numerous presentations, including to the Vietnamese government on anti-counterfeiting law and was a member of a Hong Kong government advisory panel. He has published many articles and edited an FT Law & Tax book on management.

James has been very active in legal education, having been an Adjunct Professor to Syracuse University’s law school, an Associate Professor of Law at City University in Hong Kong and a law tutor for ICE at the University of Cambridge.

When not working James likes to relax to the point where, on occasion, he seems to be half man, half sofa. This doesn’t happen too often as he has a young family and Fellowship of the Royal Geographical Society to contend with.

Specialisms:

Business law
Crypto-currencies & block chain

James O'Connell

Partner
Call | 01273 223209
Email

Message us

Awkward loan contract
"We contacted James in regard of an awkward requirement for a contract regarding a loan to a relative. James was extremely helpful and went the extra mile to ensure that all possible options had been investigated and to provide us with help in moving forwards beyond the contract itself.
James is very easy to talk to, extremely helpful, professional, supportive and thoughtful. We couldn't have wished for better service and would be very happy to bring any future business back to him as well as recommend him."

JF - January 2021

"Used James O'Connell's expertise for legal advice with regards a financial agreement. James was on the ball from the start and extremely helpful in explaining the agreement in plain English rather than lawyer jargon. Would just like to say thanks for his help and without doubt would recommend James."

RE - March 2021