James Austin

Senior Partner
  • Experience
  • Other Information

James grew up in Suffolk and went to school in Norfolk. After a degree in civil engineering from Imperial College, London he switched to law before joining a City firm and spending some time in Hong Kong, qualifying in 1986. He joined Birketts in 1989, quickly becoming a Partner in the Corporate Team and he has played a key role in its growth and the growth of the firm ever since. He is now Senior Partner having taken up the role in June 2016. As such he works closely with our CEO, Jonathan Agar. As Senior Partner he also chairs both the monthly Partnership Board meetings and the quarterly Partners Meetings. He sees one of his most important functions as being the guardian of the firm’s unique culture which helps differentiate Birketts from its competitors .

James remains a member of the firm’s Corporate Team and is responsible for a number of key client relationships.

James is recommended and named as a ‘Hall of Fame’ member by Legal 500 [UK 2024]. Clients in a previous edition note “James Austin has been very supportive and responsive. Again providing excellent service.”

James has been recognised as an Eminent Practitioner by Chambers [UK 2019]. Sources describe James as “relaxed, very well respected and very thorough”. Previous editions say that “he’s hugely efficient and gets things done”.

Awards and Memberships

Legal 500 Hall of Fame logo

James Austin has been very supportive and responsive. Again providing excellent service.

Legal 500 [UK 2022]

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