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Protection for startup founders post-investment: what should you be asking for?
James Fulforth
"James understands how to work with highly entrepreneurial clients – and get a deal done. Put simply, I know I can trust him."
Client
James joined Kingsley Napley as a partner in the corporate and commercial team in November 2007, and has led the team from 2014. He practices in both corporate and commercial law, and has particular experience in the technology, fintech, real estate, media/entertainment and travel sectors. He trained at a large City firm and has also worked in-house for an international provider of online travel services.
James specialises in advising entrepreneurs and high-net worth individuals on their business interests. His experience is unusually diverse, and includes time as legal counsel with one of the largest providers of wholesale travel services in the UK.
He advises on corporate transactions, including angel, VC and PE investments, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and re-organisations. He is an advisory board member of Angel Academe, the angel investor group, and regularly acts for founders of and those investing in early-stage and startup ventures. He also advises companies on their funding and structuring, particularly those with a technological focus.
James also advises on a wide range of commercial and contractual arrangements, including in relation to IT/technology, real estate management, outsourcing, intellectual property rights, sponsorship, franchising, agency and distribution arrangements.
What clients and directories say
“His contribution undoubtedly ensured a successful outcome for all.”
Client
James' pragmatic and commercial approach in advising his clients shines through even when dealing with complex or technical areas of law. He delivers value over and above the standard offering of most legal service providers and I have no reservations in recommending his services.
Client
James is one of those solicitors who really does take a pragmatic approach to issues and is able to get things done in a way that less commercially aware lawyers simply can't manage. He's solid, down to earth and approachable, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend James to colleagues and clients in the technology sector.
Client
I have worked with James since 2010 through two separate deals and other general advice. James is approachable, makes complex issues easy to understand and is always thorough. Whenever I leave a meeting with James I always feel confident about the advice received and most importantly pleased that he is my lawyer. The lack of jargon is refreshing in an industry that often makes issues more complicated than they need to be. James also has an engaging personality and I regard him as a friend as much as my adviser.
Client
Having worked alongside James on numerous client transactions over the years, I know that I can rely on him not only for his technical excellence but also his sound commercial judgement. James understands how to work with highly entrepreneurial clients – and get a deal done. Put simply, I know I can trust him.
Recent work
James’s recent experience includes:
- Acting for a group of specialist fitness centres on an investment by a large UK VC;
- Acting for the founders of a fintech business on an investment by two European VCs;
- Advising an entrepreneur on his purchase of a restaurant in Mayfair, London;
- Purchase of a number of boutique hotels for high profile entrepreneur, and subsequent re-organisation and re-financing of hotel chain;
- advising international retailer of printers and copiers on managed service arrangements with clients and on associated funding arrangements;
- advising UK talent agency on its commercial relationships with a number of high profile individuals;
- Acting for the two principal individual vendors in the sale of a fintech business to an international financial services business;
- Sale of a commercial UK airport and sale of a leading UK-based helicopter sales, charter and maintenance business;
- advising a major UK insurance company on business process outsourcing arrangements for all back and front office functions;
- Advising a startup app developer on initial investment and subsequent branding and profit sharing arrangements;
- Sale of a specialist sports branding company to an international creative agency;
- advising various companies in relation to website and internet issues, including on their terms and policies for the sale of goods or services, display of content, and privacy;
- advising on technology agreements, including in relation to the development, licensing and maintenance of software, research and development and escrow arrangements;
- Ongoing advice to a significant number of investors in and founders of startup and early-stage companies.
Professional Societies and memberships
James is approachable, makes complex issues easy to understand and is always thorough.
Whenever I leave a meeting with James I always feel confident about the advice received and most importantly pleased that he is my lawyer.
The lack of jargon is refreshing in an industry that often makes issues more complicated than they need to be.
“His contribution undoubtedly ensured a successful outcome for all.”
James' pragmatic and commercial approach in advising his clients shines through even when dealing with complex or technical areas of law.