James has always worked in the health sector. After qualifying in 2000 he became increasingly specialised in the regulation of assisted reproduction and embryo research, and subsequently in broader human tissue and cell based therapies and research. He later joined the litigation team at Clifford Chance before setting up his own niche life sciences firm in 2010. James joined the firm in 2019.

James advises a large number of clinics, hospitals, universities and researchers licensed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) and the Care Quality Commission (CQC). He has been involved in most of the leading cases relating to assisted reproduction, embryo and stem cell research. He also advises on cell and gene therapies, and on the regulation of medical devices and IVD's.

James is an experienced litigator and has been involved in cases at every level in the UK courts. Much of his work concerns the judicial review of regulatory bodies, and cases arising as a result of regulatory action.

In addition to his private practice, James was previously a lecturer in law and medicine at the University of Newcastle and a visiting research fellow at Durham University Law School. He is now a honorary lecturer in the department of biochemical engineering at University College London.