Credentials

Before joining the independent bar, James had a lengthy career at one of New Zealand’s top-tier national firms Simpson Grierson, including 14 years as a partner. 

He also served on the firm’s Board of Management. The firm has long been recognised as having the leading (and the largest) specialist resource management team in the country.

His legal skills have been recognised by a number of international legal directories including:

  • Best Lawyers – Government Practice 2021 – NZ Lawyer of the Year, and Leading Lawyer 2022–2023

  • Best Lawyers – Environmental Law 2020–2023 – Leading Lawyer

  • Chambers Asia-Pacific Environment & Resource Management 2016–2022 – Leading Lawyer

  • Asia Pacific Legal 500 Environment/Projects & Resource Management 2014–2019 – Recommended Lawyer

  • Chambers Asia-Pacific Energy & Natural Resources 2013–2015 – Leading Lawyer

  • Doyle’s Guide Environment and Resource Management Lawyers 2016–2021 – Leading/Pre-eminent Lawyer

Since 2003, James has been a contributing author of the leading New Zealand commentary on environmental law, Westlaw’s Resource Management (formerly Brookers Resource Management), and is a co-author of the Minerals and Petroleum chapter of the LexisNexis online textbook Environmental and Resource Management Law. 

He has served on the national committee of the Resource Management Law Association, been chair of the Wellington branch, and is a current RMLA member. He is involved in a number of sports and outdoor pursuits, and was a founding trustee of the Wellington Trails Trust (now Trails Wellington).