James is a well known and respected lawyer with over eighteen years experience in advising individuals, directors, banks, asset based lenders and insolvency practitioners and accountants in all aspects of personal and corporate insolvency.

He joined DLA in 1987 and became a partner in their Business Support and Restructuring Department in 1997. During that time James was involved in many of the high profile corporate insolvencies and failures of the recession in the early 1990s.

He specialises in advising distressed corporates whether it be through formal insolvency procedures or through developing more pragmatic restructuring lead solutions maximising returns for all interested stakeholders.

Since joining Lee & Priestley James has developed the corporate advisory side of the firm's Insolvency Department and also established a turnaround capability with members of the firm's corporate services group. Recent assignments have included work across many business sectors including glass manufacturing, electrical contracting, financial services, printing and healthcare services acting for both management in buying out insolvent businesses and insolvency practitioners in selling such enterprises.

James' experience covers both contentious and non contentious work and he also has a specialism in advising insolvency practitioners in relation to antecedent property transactions.

Chambers 2008  says:

"James Richardson continues to attract positive feedback following his arrival from DLA Piper. His expertise in restructuring and corporate insolvency matters has added a layer of depth to the team, according to clients. "

Chambers 2007 describes James as

 'commercial and responsive' and is someone clients 'would not hesitate to recommend.'

James is married to Cathy and when out of the office he enjoys travelling, skiing, scuba diving and playing the guitar.