Biography
James focuses his practice on international commercial arbitration and investor-state disputes, particularly disputes involving state contracts and investment agreements.

His practice includes disputes in a number of industries, including all aspects of energy and infrastructure development and construction, as well as M&A and project finance, technology and environmental services, and sovereign debt. He also represents and advises clients in antitrust matters and international and cross-border litigation, including handling or managing arbitral award enforcement in a number of jurisdictions.

James has acted in arbitrations around the world under the rules of the ICC, LCIA, AAA, ICSID, and UNCITRAL, and several regional institutions. He has extensive experience in investor-state relations and disputes, as well as the resolution of disputes under bilateral and multilateral investment treaties and particular infrastructure development agreements, such as BOT and BOMT projects.

He is a member of the ICC Commission on Arbitration, is listed in Global Arbitration Review, is the ABA's delegate to the LCIA Court of Arbitration in London, is listed in Legal Media Group's (Euromoney's) Expert Guide to Commercial Arbitration, and is ranked in international arbitration in both Chambers Global and Chambers USA. He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America^® for international arbitration.

From 1997 - 2000, James served in Geneva, Switzerland, as chief counsel for the Oil Sector and Construction and Engineering Panels of the United Nations Compensation Commission (the Gulf War claim tribunal).

James also advises investors on investment laws and international investment treaties, and assists in structuring transactions to manage international dispute risk, including compliance and FCPA obligations, and in the development of dispute resolution agreements.

James maintains offices in London and in Houston, and is V&E's International Dispute Resolution Practice Specialty Leader. He is admitted in Texas and in the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts.

In 2009, James was appointed as adjunct professor at the University of Texas School of Law where he teaches international investment law and investor-state disputes.