James studied law and arts at Auckland University, completed his master of laws at Cambridge University and was admitted to the bar in 1989.  James works part-time in our commercial law team assisting with advice to clients on all aspects of the business cycle.  He is also a media law specialist having been in-house counsel at APN News & Media (now NZME) and MediaWorks.

James’ private practice career has been as a commercial litigator (Simpson Grierson and Russell McVeagh) and corporate/commercial lawyer (Bell Gully) before making the transition to in-house counsel legal roles in 2008.

When he’s not at Powle & Hodson, James can be found at independent news website Newsroom.co.nz where he’s a consultant and writes a weekly satirical news review column “Yesterdaze”, or working as a professional MC/comedian, or commentating for radio shows like ‘The Panel’ and ‘Nine to Noon’.

James is married to Rachel and is Dad to surfer Joe and dancer Tess.  He’s not contactable on Tuesday nights when he’s drumming at band practice.

Email     jamese@phlaw.co.nz