Dominic James

DOMINIC JAMES 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 gain access to the Hong Kong financial markets and resolve complex cross-border challenges they encounter.

“He is an excellent lawyer who boasts an outstanding profile and is a frequent commentator on the regulatory environment.”
Chambers Greater China Region 2026

Dominic is recognized for Financial Services: Contentious Regulatory (International Firms) in China by Chambers Greater China Region 2026 and Chambers Global 2026. Legal 500 Greater China 2026 has named him a “Next Generation Partner” for Fintech and Financial Services Regulatory and he was recommended for Investment Funds. In the 2025 edition of 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.”

“The exceptional Dominic James is bright, commercial and knowledgeable and a leading light and towering presence in particular in the regulatory space.”
Legal 500 Greater China 2026

He has also been endorsed as a “Notable Practitioner” by IFLR1000 for Financial Services Regulatory work in 2023. He is usually sought after by fund managers, banks, and asset managers, with clients praising him as having “demonstrated strong knowledge and expertise” (Chambers Greater China Region 2025).

Examples of Dominic’s significant experience include acting for:

• Verition Fund Management in its sale of a minority equity interest to, and strategic partnership with, Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (AMG).
• Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in its acquisition of the treaty reinsurance brokerage operations of Willis Towers Watson for US$3.25 billion.
• Various issuers of insurance-linked securities (ILS) in the sale and offering of Catastrophe bonds.
• A U.S.-based brokerage in “first of its kind” criminal prosecution brought by the SFC for actively marketing in Hong Kong regulated activities carried on outside Hong Kong.
• A leading investment bank in connection with an investigation brought by the SFC into the alleged rigging of interest rates.
• A U.S.-based fund management company in proceedings brought by the SFC under Section 213 of the Securities and Futures Ordinance and before the Market Misconduct Tribunal for insider dealing.
• A Korean company in striking out (as an abuse of process) proceedings brought by the SFC for insider dealing.
• A major U.S. Fortune 500 company in connection with issues arising from its acquisition of a mainland Chinese entity, including an investigation into accounting fraud, preparations for litigation, and responding to regulatory investigations.
• Listed corporations, licensed or registered persons, and companies in domestic and cross-border regulatory investigations (including responding to search warrants and statutory notices) involving a wide spectrum of market conduct issues.
• A U.S.-listed company in cross-border insolvency proceedings and successfully obtained court approval in Hong Kong of interlinked schemes of arrangement with creditors to restructure more than US$700 million in offshore debt. Sidley was named as one of two “Standout” firms by the Financial Times in 2015 edition of the FT Innovative Lawyers report. 
• Responsible Officers and Relevant Individuals in SFC investigations and in subsequent regulatory action and litigation, both civil, criminal, disciplinary, and disqualification proceedings brought by the SFC.

• Hong Kong Law Society
• Law Society of England and Wales
• UCL Hong Kong Club
• Young Founders School, Mentor