James is dual-qualified in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and is a member of the Law Society of Northern Ireland and the Law Society of Ireland. James joined Tughans LLP in 2021 having previously worked for a leading all-island law firm. James also undertook a secondment with BCM Global as inhouse solicitor.
James specialises in commercial property with a particular focus on energy and infrastructure projects as well as commercial development and investment. James assists clients with the development, implementation and management of capital lead projects.
- Advising Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company (t/a Translink) in respect of capital lead projects such as the development of Belfast Grand Central Station and the regeneration of Weavers Cross which has the potential for 1.3 million sq ft of mixed-use office, life sciences, residential, student housing, hotels and retail/leisure space.
- Advising Heron Energy in relation to the consenting of c.25 battery energy storage system (BESS) projects across Northern Ireland at both transmission and distribution level including micro-grid and co-located generation projects.
- Acting as Northern Irish counsel to Brookfield in the sale of their UK PBSA portfolio totaling £3 billion.
- Advising Greystar in relation to the ongoing management, structing and financing of their PBSA portfolio trading as Student Roost, including Nelson Place which is Northern Ireland’s largest scheme comprising of 774 rooms with recreational facilities.
- Advising one of the world's largest social security organisations in the acquisition of a 269 room PBSA scheme as part of a £300 million transaction.
- Advising Uform on the property elements of an investment by Cardinal Capital which represented BGF’s first exit in Northern Ireland. A transaction which was awarded ‘Deal of the Year’ at the Insider Dealmaker Awards in 2023.
