header-logo header-logo

05 February 2026
Categories: Movers & Shakers , Profession
printer mail-detail

Browne Jacobson—Christian Major & Phil James

Partners join real estate investment and data protection teams in London

Browne Jacobson has appointed Christian Major and Phil James as partners in its London office, strengthening its real estate investment and data protection, AI and cybersecurity practices as part of its UK & Ireland growth strategy. The hires support the firm’s push to build interconnected practices across its network and serve clients domestically and internationally.

Major (pictured, right) joins from K&L Gates, where he advised investors, developers and corporate occupiers on complex real estate transactions. Declan Cushley, partner and head of the London office, said the firm is making ‘statement hires’ that ‘significantly raise our game’ in high-demand areas, while Rebecca Toates said Major brings ‘significant firepower’ to real estate investment.

James (left) arrives from Eversheds Sutherland, where he led UK data, privacy and cybersecurity, and will co-lead Browne Jacobson’s international data, privacy & cybersecurity group. Jeanne Kelly said the expanded UK capability means the firm is ‘equipped to tackle the most demanding, multi-jurisdictional data challenges’ facing clients.

Major said the firm is ‘building something genuinely exciting’ in real estate investment, while James highlighted the need for ‘integrated, holistic, cross-disciplinary advice’ as clients face ‘unprecedented data and AI challenges’ across overlapping regulatory frameworks.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Winckworth Sherwood—David Fendt

Winckworth Sherwood—David Fendt

Restructuring and insolvency practice strengthened by partner hire

Gateley Legal—Billy Poulter & Shay Moore

Gateley Legal—Billy Poulter & Shay Moore

North West residential development team welcomes partner and associate

Burgess Mee—Victoria Sterritt

Burgess Mee—Victoria Sterritt

Family law boutique expands London team with legal director hire

NEWS
Some employment law controversies never disappear—they merely lie dormant
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming legal practice, but its successful adoption depends as much on culture as technology
The fallout from Lord Mandelson’s appointment and dismissal as UK ambassador to Washington raises profound questions about constitutional governance, accountability and political appointments
Pastries may be in the firing line while kebabs escape scrutiny, but the reality is far more nuanced
The Supreme Court’s decision in Dillon highlights a central tension in modern public law: rights may be recognised without being fully realised
back-to-top-scroll