James Sharp
Senior Associate Global Regulatory
Languages
English
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Overview
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Experience
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Credentials
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Insights and events
James is a senior associate in the commercial technology team, with a focus on advising financial institutions, technology providers and FinTech companies on their strategic technology projects, digital and technology solutions and regulatory risk. James's primary focus area is in emerging technologies, and in particular the blockchain and digital assets space.
James's focus on blockchain and digital assets means he understands the complex range of commercial and regulatory issues facing clients that are seeking to participate in the space and struggling with the ever-evolving regulatory hurdles. He has advised clients on a range of projects, from anti-money laundering regulatory queries to cooperations and partnerships relating to cryptoasset custody arrangements and tokenised art projects, as well as other facets including data privacy and intellectual property rights aspects and governance arrangements in large consortia projects. His genuine interest in the space means he remains up to date on regulatory and industry developments and trends to better serve his clients. Particular current areas of focus include digital asset custody arrangements and advice regarding the issuance and trading of non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
James also has experience drafting commercial software licensing and services contracts and has assisted with the technology aspects of a number of outsourcing projects. He has experience in managing critical projects, including recently playing a lead role in a key technology platform outsourcing project advising a large asset management firm. He is able to tackle particularly complex legal drafting and navigate clients through the development of complex technical and operational documents. He regularly rises to challenges that might typically be tackled by lawyers that are more senior in qualification experience.
Representative experience
Jointly advising a number of pharmaceutical companies on the governance structuring and legal challenges associated with the establishment of a blockchain-based open-source consortium project.
Advising a number of players in the NFT platforms space with regard to the regulatory implications of issuing NFTs and providing an NFT marketplace.
Advising a cryptoasset exchange company on various regulatory matters including anti-money laundering regulatory challenges and cryptoasset wallet structuring arrangements.
Advising a major investment bank on its SaaS outsourcing arrangement with an API service provider facilitating access to payment infrastructure.
Assisting an investment-focused data sharing platform in the lead up to go-live with its contractual arrangements with start-ups and investors on the platform.
Advising a large asset management firm on its wealth management platform outsourcing project to combine two existing platform agreements into one single global framework agreement.
Advising a major financial institution on the legal issues surrounding its proposed implementation of an institutional-grade cryptoasset wallet service.
Advising cryptoassets companies in relation to their compliance with anti-money laundering regulations.
Advising the provider of smart office technology solutions on its software and hardware services contracts (2021).
Advising a well-known artist on the financial and anti-money laundering regulatory position regarding the proposed issuance of NFT art prints as one of the first art-NFT projects.
Drafting and negotiating the software licensing arrangements for critical e-commerce technology systems on behalf of the owner of one of the largest wine retailers in the UK.
Drafting and negotiating an outsourcing arrangement on behalf of the retail arm of a global investment bank focusing on the integration of two existing systems.
Advising the financial arm of a large automotive company on its technology services arrangements as part of a multi-jurisdictional asset sale.
Advising a large financial institution on its software licensing and services agreement with a provider of virtual clinical consultation services.
Advising a not-for-profit industry initiative in establishing a legal framework for a financial services industry group, to promote faster transfers of financial products between institutions.
Advising a global automotive company on the wind down of a joint venture and transitional technology arrangements.
Credentials
- Accelerated Legal Practice Course, BPP Law School, 2017
- LLB (Hons) Law, University of York, 2015
- Solicitor, England and Wales
- Society of Computers and Law (SCL)