James England

James is a Managing Associate in the Employment department. He advises individuals and employers on all aspects of employment law, and regularly represents LLPs and their members in the professional and financial services sectors.

James has substantial experience acting on contentious matters including complex discrimination and whistleblowing claims, High Court injunctions, workplace investigations and partnership disputes.

James is also a member of the Employment Lawyers Association and frequently contributes to consultations on matters of concern in employment law and regulation.

Key Experience

• Acting for a startup defence tech company, its CEO and Founding Engineer to successfully defend an application for an injunction and springboard relief following allegations of breaches of post-termination restrictions – the application was withdrawn after the hearing and our clients recovered 100% of their costs
• Acting for the UK head of a global investment firm in relation to their disputed exit, claims for whistleblowing detriment in respect of >£100 million losses arising from their removal alongside parallel 1782 applications in the US for discovery in support of foreign proceedings
• Assisting partner in the conduct of an independent investigation into alleged breaches of directors' duties by a company Chair following whistleblowing by the CEO
• Acting for a senior partner in respect of their negotiated departure from a global hedge fund and assignment of $65 million interests for deferred consideration  
• Acting for a global energy company to defend multiple claims and an interim relief application brought by an employee during and after their employment in respect of whistleblowing, health and safety detriments, discrimination and unfair dismissal
• Acting for an international technology client to defend an interim relief application and obtain deposit and cost orders against the claimant
• Acting for a statutory compensation scheme in successfully obtaining injunctions against a number of individuals involved in an unlawful means conspiracy including removal of confidential information and breaches of restrictive covenants, database rights and data privacy laws
• Advising a global insurance client on a successfully negotiated exit of an entire division (approximately 80 employees) without process and to mitigate protective awards
• Undertaking an investigation into allegations of race discrimination by the managing director of a global manufacturing business

Career History

Managing Associate, Mishcon de Reya LLP
Senior Associate, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP
Associate, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP
Trainee Solicitor, Gateley Plc
The University of Law, GDL
Newcastle University, History