DOMINIC JAMES is a partner in Sidley’s International Funds practice based in Hong Kong. He has extensive experience advising multinational private fund managers in contentious and non-contentious regulatory matters. His practice often involves helping clients across Asia, North America, Europe and offshore jurisdictions access to the Hong Kong financial markets and resolve complex cross-border challenges they encounter.
Dominic is recognized as a “Notable Practitioner” and a “key name” for contentious financial services by Chambers Greater China Region and Legal 500 Asia Pacific respectively. In the 2025 edition of the Legal 500 Asia Pacific Greater China, a client praised “the very approachable and responsive Dominic James looks at issues at different angles making sure all essential aspects are covered for the benefit and effective risk management of clients.” He has also been endorsed as a Leading Lawyer – ''Notable practitioner'' by IFLR1000 for financial services regulatory work in 2023. He is usually sought after by fund managers, banks and asset managers (Chambers Greater China Region 2025), with clients praising his advice as “always [having] withstood the regulator’s review” (Chambers Greater China Region 2022). Clients have described him as “an excellent source of legal support,” “very responsive” and having “demonstrated strong knowledge and expertise.” (Chambers Greater China Region 2025). Sources also commended his “sound practical advice on Hong Kong regulatory matters, as well as general anti-money laundering matters.” (Chambers Asia-Pacific 2020), his “high calibre advice” on contentious regulatory matters (Chambers Asia-Pacific 2018) and his “professionalism, expertise and diligence” (Chambers Asia-Pacific 2017-2019). He “consistently demonstrates outstanding qualities” (Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2018) and is “a genuine talent for complex regulatory work” (Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2018).