James Hearne

James Hearne focuses his practice on projects and cross-border M&A, particularly in the energy sector, bringing over 15 years of experience advising on complex and innovative transactions around the world.

His broad practice spans investments, acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, strategic alliances, project development, project operations, offtake and trading arrangements, as well as general corporate and commercial matters. 

James has experience across a diverse range of sectors, including energy, natural resources, power, mining, metals, chemicals, technology and telecoms. His energy sector experience includes advising on: 

• energy transition projects (including hydrogen, ammonia, biofuels, battery storage, CCS/CCUS, carbon farming and carbon credit projects), 
• renewables projects (including solar, wind, hydro and biomass projects), 
• conventional energy projects (including oil & gas and LNG projects), and
• offtake, trading and shipping of LNG and other commodities.

He has advised on transactions and projects across the globe, including in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Oceania, South America and the United States.

James is qualified in England & Wales and is a Registered Foreign Lawyer (Gaikokuho Jimu Bengoshi) in Japan, admitted to the Daini Tokyo Bar Association.

He has been based in Tokyo since 2011 and is fluent in Japanese.