LAWYER PROFILE

James Phythian-Adams

UK 2026

Sidley Austin LLP

Ranked in 1 practice area

Insurance: Non-contentious

UK-wide

7 years ranked

About

Provided by Sidley Austin LLP

Practice Areas

JAMES PHYTHIAN-ADAMS focuses on transactional and regulatory work for insurers, reinsurers, investors, and other participants in the global insurance industry. His practice often involves helping clients across Europe, North America, the offshore jurisdictions, and Asia to access the London and international insurance markets and resolve the complex cross-border challenges they encounter.

James serves as a co-leader of Sidley’s global Insurance practice and he advises on a wide range of matters, including:

• Insurance carrier and intermediary formation, acquisition, governance, compliance, and disposal.

• Branch set-up, subsidiarization, and insurance licensing.

• Managing general agent (MGA) and coverholder formation, operation, and incubation.

• Transactions in and relating to the Lloyd’s market.

• Adverse development cover (ADC), loss portfolio transfer (LPT), insurance business transfer, industry loss warranty (ILW), insurance-linked securities (ILS), insurtech, distribution, and life and longevity transactions.

• Lloyd’s, Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and other compliance.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession

Insurance: Non-contentious - UK-wide

Band 4

Individual Editorial

James Phythian-Adams provides counsel to clients from the insurance industry on reinsurance transactions, M&A deals and regulatory matters. He has notable experience advising clients in the Lloyd's market as well as global insurers, reinsurers and private equity firms in the insurance sector.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

James is one of the most responsive law firm partners I've ever worked with – nothing is too much trouble.
Insurance: Non-contentiousChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
James is my favourite of all the lawyers I work with. He's very professional and knows the industry inside and out. I can't speak highly enough of him.
Insurance: Non-contentiousChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
James knows our company and the market very well, and is able to navigate our commercial goals very well. He provides impeccable client service and is super responsive. We couldn't ask for more.
Insurance: Non-contentiousChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
James has strong knowledge of the insurance market and has a good understanding of the commercial issues that may be faced by insurers.
Insurance: Non-contentiousChambers Guide to the Legal Profession