Browne Jacobson—Christian Major & Phil James

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.