James Lewis

I advise companies, directors, shareholders and HNW individuals on a range of critical legal issues  arising out of finance, goods and services contracts, and corporate arrangements and shareholder agreements. 
 
I advise clients at all stages of a dispute, from choosing suitable dispute resolution clauses and assessing rights and liabilities following key developments, through to representing clients in litigation or arbitration proceedings, which may also include negotiation and mediation. 
 
I use legal analysis and strategic thinking to champion the interests of my clients and to support them in making informed decisions at important moments. 
 
Recent dispute experience includes:

• M&A disputes – Acting for an international clinical trials business on disputes arising following the acquisition of two founder-owned companies on matters including completion accounts, earn out provisions and warranty claims.
• Contract breaches – Acting for a major UK infrastructure services company on a dispute with management consultants about the benefits achieved in a change management project.
• Distributor dispute – Acting for a global biotech company on an arbitration claim against an Eastern European distributor for breach of contract and loss of revenue. 
• Energy arbitration – Acting for the national oil and gas operator of a Central Asian country in relation to an arbitration claim about the interpretation of tax provisions in a shareholder agreement relating to the distribution of profits worth over US$100 million.
• Corporate disputes – Advising shareholders/directors of interlinking private companies holding significant London properties on company law rights and obligations.
• Finance disputes – Advising an international packaging company in the defence of claims arising out of historic derivative transactions.  Producing defence strategy including use of indemnity rights against third party to limit client's exposure and produce a favourable settlement
• Contract terms – Advising an online fashion company on the terms of a serviced warehouse agreement, in order to successfully negotiate a reduced termination charge.
• Tech disputes – Advising a global online sales platform on a dispute with a payment services provider about substandard performance levels, to assist with managed termination of relationship meet client's changed strategy.