James has extensive experience of debt finance transactions in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. He advises on all aspects of private debt (including special situations), structured finance, leveraged finance, acquisition finance, take-private transactions, bond issuances, convertible instruments, derivatives (from synthetic CLOs to pre-IPO financings and strategic equity financings), property finance and syndicated lending. In addition, James regularly acts on fund finance transactions (for both lenders and borrowers, including subscription financings, NAV and hybrid facilities), as well as securitisations, CLOs and private debt funds. James also advises on a wide range of general corporate and commercial matters, including restructurings, joint ventures and private M&A transactions.

Career

Prior to joining Carey Olsen in 2023, James was a partner at another leading offshore law firm based in Singapore, where he advised on the offshore aspects of many of the most complex and innovative transactions in Asia. He was also the head of Asia Structured Finance, the founding partner of the Asia Private Debt Group and a member of the Global Asset Finance Steering Committee. Before moving offshore, James worked in the Structured Finance and Derivatives team at Allen & Overy in London and Hong Kong, and the Structured Debt team at Clifford Chance in London. James also worked in a front office role in the Global Capital Markets team at Morgan Stanley in Hong Kong, where he originated, structured and executed strategic debt and equity financings for many of Asia's largest corporations and hedge funds.