LAWYER PROFILE
James Willn

James Willn

Global 2026

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Reed Smith
 Reed Smith

Ranked in 2 practice areas

Corporate Compliance & Investigations

United Arab Emirates

2 years ranked

Dispute Resolution

United Arab Emirates

7 years ranked

About

Provided by Reed Smith

Global

Practice Areas

James is a dispute resolution partner and routinely advises clients on complex disputes and international arbitrations, primarily within the construction, energy, infrastructure and shipping sectors.

His practise is centred around large value, multi-party arbitrations, seated within the major international arbitral hubs. He regularly acts for clients as counsel in all international recognised arbitral forums including the ICC, LCIA, DIFC-LCIA, DIAC, SIAC, HKIAC and KCAB.

James also advises on a range of contentious and non-contentious sanctions issues acting for sanctioned entities and individuals challenging sanctions in national, US and EU courts.

He is also renowned for his experience in asset tracing and recovery litigation work which are frequently cross-jurisdictional in nature and involve worldwide freezing relief orders being issued before international Courts throughout the world.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Global Guide

Corporate Compliance & Investigations - United Arab Emirates

Band 3
Individual Editorial

James Willn is a well-known disputes lawyer in Reed Smith's UAE team. Drawing upon his experience in the arbitration and asset-tracing arena, he frequently advises clients on sanctions-related issues, with specific experience in proceedings relating to the alleged violation of sanctions on Russia. He acts for a variety of high-profile clients operating in sectors such as energy and transportation.

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Dispute Resolution - United Arab Emirates

Band 5
Individual Editorial
James Willn has a wide range of experience covering matters as diverse as cryptocurrency disputes as well as sanctions-related cases. He is well versed in representing clients in arbitration proceedings conducted under a variety of institutional rules.
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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • James Willn is aways available and we receive excellent advice from him.

    Corporate Compliance & InvestigationsChambers Global Guide

  • James knows his business, his local market and his clients intimately, which makes him a great lawyer.

    Corporate Compliance & InvestigationsChambers Global Guide

  • James Willn is very solid in his advice, quick to respond and very commercial in his approach.

    Corporate Compliance & InvestigationsChambers Global Guide

  • James Willn is extremely knowledgeable, commercial and communicative.

    Dispute ResolutionChambers Global Guide

  • James Willn is an amazing lawyer. He demonstrates dedication to the cases, hard work and a sense of detail and understanding of his clients' needs.

    Dispute ResolutionChambers Global Guide

Ranked Individuals at Reed Smith (84)

Asia-Pacific Region

Belgium

Brazil

China

France

Germany

Global Market Leaders

Greece

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