LAWYER PROFILE

James Smethurst

UK 2026

Freshfields

Ranked in 1 practice area

Financial Services: Non-contentious Regulatory

UK-wide

14 years ranked

About

Provided by Freshfields

Practice Areas

James is head of the financial services practice in the UK, specialising in financial services regulatory matters for both wholesale and retail financial services clients. He has experience in sales and trading-related issues, including prime brokerage, as well as market infrastructure and insurance regulation, and has advised on the regulatory aspects of numerous transactions.

Professional Memberships

James sits on the insurance steering group of the Financial Markets Law Committee, the Regulatory Committee of the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association, and TheCityUK IRSG Expert Group. He is also on the consulting editorial board of LexisNexis Financial Services LexisPSL.

Publications

James contributes to various legal journals and publications, including 'A Practitioner's Guide to MiFID' and 'Practitioner's Guide to EU Financial Services Directives'.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession

Financial Services: Non-contentious Regulatory - UK-wide

Band 2

Individual Editorial

James Smethurst leads Freshfields' London-based financial institutions regulatory offering and regularly works with big name clients in the space. His advice to these clients includes assistance with the regulatory aspects of M&A activity.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

James is a true industry thought leader.
Financial Services: Non-contentious RegulatoryChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
He is very capable and competent.
Financial Services: Non-contentious RegulatoryChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
James is rated highly and is a very good lawyer.
Financial Services: Non-contentious RegulatoryChambers Guide to the Legal Profession