James Mee

Partner

James heads our Commercial Insurance and Private Equity team. He typically acts for corporates, private equity funds and management teams, and specialises in mergers and acquisitions, private equity, insurance sector transactions and advisory work. James previously sat on the Board of RPC Tyche, the insurance software business RPC recently sold to global professional services firm Aon. He is Chair of the Board of Governors at the English National Ballet School.

“Clients value the board-level, strategic advice I provide”

“I focus on insurance, retail and consumer work. I also have extensive international experience, and was one of the winners of the Law Firm of the Year for my work on a 22-jurisdiction transaction.

My clients value the board-level strategic advice I provide. I have a personable manner and pride myself on my deep industry knowledge, negotiating skills, and clear and effective communications.

James’s recent work highlights:

Advised Aviva on its acquisition of Lloyd’s insurer Probitas for £242m, marking Aviva’s return to the thriving Lloyd’s of London market after more than 20 years.

Served as lead deal counsel for the majority shareholders in Beat Capital Partners' and Bain Capital on Ambac Financial Group's acquisition of a majority stake in Beat.

Advised the management sellers of Castel Underwriting Agencies Limited on the sale to Ryan Speciality.

Interviews

The Insurer: M&A muted but open for the right buyer and target

Speaking with The Insurer TV as part of its #ReinsuranceMonth series, James explains there has been a mismatch in pricing expectations between buyers and targets, putting a lid on reinsurance M&A activity.

Directory quotes

"James is a high-quality lawyer who is particularly good at commercial aspects and supporting board interactions as part of the transaction process." - Chambers UK 2024

"James Mee is an experienced insurance practitioner who specialises in non-contentious mandates. He comes recommended for his adept handling of a wide range of corporate transactions as well as advising on related regulatory issues." - Chambers UK 2023

Ranked – Chambers UK 2022

"James Mee receives regular mandates to serve as counsel to clients on complicated M&A deals. He represents corporates and private equity funds, and is known for his insurance industry specialism. James is an outstanding commercial lawyer on every level. He has the necessary balance of industry expertise and commercial approach." - Chambers UK 2022

"James Mee is an experienced insurance practitioner who specialises in non-contentious mandates. He is recommended for his adept handling of a wide range of corporate transactions as well as advising on related regulatory issues. James goes out of his way to assist and he is well connected. He is a great lawyer and just fantastic with clients." - Chambers UK 2022

Recommended. - The Legal 500 UK 2022

James Mee is recommended for his adept handling of a wide range of corporate transactions as well as advising on related regulatory issues. - Chambers UK 2021

"James is a good operator who is easy to work with, well organised and knows the market very well." - Chambers UK 2021

"He is a calm, responsive and knowledgeable lawyer." - Chambers UK 2021

Recommended. - The Legal 500 UK 2021

"James Mee also specialises in insurance work, with extensive knowledge of the industry in both advisory and transactional matters." - The Legal 500 UK 2021

Leading individual. - The Legal 500 UK 2021

"Real standout." - The Legal 500 UK 2020

Leading individual.- The Legal 500 UK 2020

"James Mee is a strong leader for the practice. He is extremely diligent but always able to step back and look at the bigger picture. He has fantastic insight into the re/insurance world." - The Legal 500 UK 2020

James Mee is described as "a good, strong, technical lawyer who really knows his stuff." His well-regarded practice covers an array of transactional insurance matters, including Lloyd's market and private equity transactions. - Chambers UK 2019

James Mee maintains an active transactional practice in the insurance and financial services fields. - Chambers UK 2019

He "understands us and is willing to help us along." - Chambers UK 2019

"Very capable and bright" practice head James Mee is "a pleasure to deal with." - The Legal 500 UK 2018

James Mee heads the firm's corporate insurance and financial services practice. He is experienced in handling an array of insurance transactions, often acting for Lloyd's market syndicates, as well as intermediaries and investment entities. - Chambers UK 2018

[James is praised for his] "strong connections and extensive expertise in high-end, complex transactions." - Chambers UK 2018

Practice head James Mee has notable expertise in private equity transactions. - The Legal 500 UK 2017

Ranked as leader in the field. - Chambers UK 2017

Clients describe him as a "very commercial and very hard-working" practitioner. - Chambers UK 2017

He is easy to deal with, knows a lot of law and represents his clients well and fairly. - Chambers UK 2016

"good technical knowledge." - The Legal 500 UK 2016

"A "consummate corporate lawyer" who "goes the extra mile for you around the clock."" – Chambers UK 2015

"Clients say he is "a well-connected lawyer who is extremely client-focused, very bright and knowledgeable but not at all arrogant." – Chambers UK 2015

Recommended in Corporate and Commercial: M&A and Insurance: corporate and regulatory. – The Legal 500 UK 2014

"Clients compliment his expertise and responsiveness, with one remarking: "His strengths are an unwavering work ethic which sees him commit to delivering projects come what may. For such a high-profile partner at the firm, his client contact and relationship management are first rate."– Chambers UK 2014