James is an experienced professional indemnity lawyer known for his clear advice and technical ability in defending professional indemnity, construction and financial lines claims.

He has experience in acting for professionals in the construction, financial services, and small and medium business industries in a civil, regulatory and disciplinary context, including for professional negligence, breach of contract, management liability and statutory liability.

Professional Indemnity

  • Defending negligence and breach of contract claims against professionals in the construction industry, including architects, engineers and building experts in Victorian and interstate courts and tribunals.
  • Acting for an engineer in a claim of over $300 million arising from allegedly negligent structural engineering works relating to a major shopping centre.
  • Defending claims against financial services licensees including accountants and stockbrokers in respect of complaints arising from allegedly negligent financial advice and breaches of the Corporations Act and Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act in Victorian and interstate courts.
  • Defending an IT services provider in proceedings issued by a large medical college seeking to recover losses suffered following a failure of their remote examination system.
  • Acting for insured individuals in a regulatory context in relation to commissions of inquiry in Victoria and interstate.
  • Acting for a broad range of defendants including statutory trustees, software/web development businesses, employees, SMEs and real estate agents.
  • Advising on coverage issues under professional indemnity, management liability and directors & officers liability policies of insurance.
Areas of Expertise
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Directors and Officers Liability
  • Financial Institutions
  • Inquiries, Investigations and Prosecutions
  • Professional Liability

Industry Representation
  • Construction and Infrastructure
  • Financial Institutions and Services
  • Professions and Business Services
  • Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
  • Technology and Cyber

Professional Affiliations
  • American Bar Association
  • Australian Insurance Law Association
  • Australian Professional Indemnity Group
  • Aviation Law Association of Australia and New Zealand
  • Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
  • Law Institute of Victoria
  • Maritime Law Association of Australia and New Zealand