Harper James in a nutshell
Established in 2014 by Toby Harper, our founder and CEO, Harper James is a new breed of commercial law firm.
Our purpose is as clear now as it was in 2014 – we want to enable growth-oriented businesses to succeed. We do this by delivering top-quality and accessible legal services and acting as partners in our clients’ journeys while operating according to our unique values.
We work nationally with start-ups through to unicorns and long-running established businesses that may now be looking to scale or looking to exit.
The Harper James model of highly experienced remote-working lawyers, clever use of technology coupled with unique subscription plans and fixed fee products, enables us to provide cost effective business legal services without compromising on quality, quite the contrary.
Like many of our clients, we are ambitious and we have high aspirations for the future. Our vision is of a world where all viable businesses thrive and contribute to a healthy economy, through access to excellent legal services that are delivered by firms whose people enjoy a true work-life balance.
We’re proud of our roots and encourage you to find out why and how Toby Harper set up the firm.
We’re a full-service business law firm with a difference. Our experienced partner-level solicitors support our clients with expert legal advice at fees that start from £174 per hour, a fraction of the cost of traditional law firms.
Unique subscription plans
Access legal support through our subscription plans, Enable and Extend, to help you spread the cost of advice and get discounted rates – providing you with flexibility, peace of mind and plans that can scale with your business.
Fixed fee products
We offer a suite of fixed fee legal products, which are designed to provide transparent, cost-effective support to solve common issues. Whether you need help reviewing your commercial lease, planning your next funding round, protecting your IP or staying compliant with UK GRPR and employment law, we’ve got you covered.
Exceptionally experienced solicitors
With few exceptions, our lawyers have previously worked for top 100 UK law firms or as in-house lawyers in a wide range of businesses. Many have achieved partner level and the average post-qualified experience is 17 years. They all have a passion for supporting businesses and a deep understanding of how the law should be applied in the ‘real world’. This is hugely important to our clients whose focus, understandably, needs to be on achieving their business growth plans.
Quality enabled by technology
Our innovative use of cloud-based technology ensures efficiency in remote working and service delivery, which helps us ensure our clients receive the highest quality legal support and advice available.
Maintaining low overheads
We are able to offer accessible pricing by keeping our most expensive asset, our lawyers, focused on supporting clients with their legal needs. Other activities that would typically weigh down a lawyer’s workload, such as legal administration, business development and marketing, are carried out by others in the business. Minimising office space through our remote operating model represents another cost efficiency that benefits our clients.
Dedicated account management
Clients on our Enable and Extend plans benefit from dedicated account management, included as part of our service. Your account manager will get to know you and your business, hold regular review meetings, and help identify current and future legal needs. They act as your main point of contact, connecting you with the right solicitors as matters arise, ensuring you receive the right legal support at the right time.
Attracting the best talent
We champion flexible working for everyone at Harper James and the reciprocal benefits allow our business model to run as cost effectively and smoothly as it does.
Full service law firm
Our business lawyers provide expert commercial advice on any legal issues you may be facing at any stage of your business’ life cycle, from the big idea stage through to starting-up, getting on with it, scaling-up and exit. Our services include anything from commercial and contractual law to corporate, employment, business disputes, commercial property, banking and finance, IT & commercial technology, data protection, intellectual property, insolvency, and employee share schemes.
National coverage
We are a national commercial law firm and thanks to our unique operating model, we can help your business wherever you are. We are happy to meet at our offices, your offices or at a location of your choice. While we predominantly work remotely, our team has access to offices and meeting facilities in Birmingham, Cambridge, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Oxford, Sheffield and Southampton. If we don’t have an office near you, we’re always happy to visit you at a location of your choice.
Our commitment to clients
Making legal advice available when you need it from very experienced lawyers at a fair price. Having a point of contact takes the weight off your shoulders as the ‘problem’ or requirement can be dealt with effectively. Our legal team can be scaled up or down depending on your needs.
Replicating in-house legal support designed to mitigate risk and maximise opportunity. An objective friend, our lawyers are impartial advisors, empowering you to make the right decisions for your business. Our clients don’t just subscribe to legal services, they subscribe to a professional and enduring relationship.
Our service is delivered by lawyers who understand how businesses operate in the real world, with many coming from industry themselves. We match your ambitions and guide you through the process as we have done it many times before and provide reassurance and certainty: of cost and of quality of advice.
We are focused on enabling your success by helping you get it right from the start so you can achieve your own ambitions and growth plans for your business when you are ready.
Responsible business
We are committed to being a responsible and sustainable business that delivers positive impact for our employees, clients, profession, environment and the communities we live and work in. Harper James is a people oriented firm with a strong culture and values, and we are determined to provide opportunities for everyone to succeed regardless of their socio-economic background, race, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation or disability. View a summary of the latest Harper James diversity profile.
A unique law firm culture
We are very proud of our unique culture. This is lived through everyone in the business in how we work with each other and our clients each day.
Our values at a glance
Protecting our culture and life at Harper James for everyone is a top priority for us and we do this by embedding and staying true to our values in all that we do.
Our team works together for one purpose – our clients
We’re united in supporting our clients to achieve success throughout the life cycle of their business.
Our senior leadership team oversees the day-to-day support for our clients, the running of our business and work to achieve our commercial objectives.
Founder & CEO
Toby is the Founder & CEO of Harper James, as well as a corporate & commercial solicitor. He specialises in venture capital and the tech sector.
Director of Legal Strategy and Operations & Head of Corporate
Adam is Director of Legal Strategy and Operations & Head of Corporate, responsible for the legal services aspects of Harper James.
Partner and Head of IP and Brand Protection
Ben is a dual-qualified solicitor and Chartered Trade Mark Attorney (qualifying in 2016) and assists clients with trade mark clearance searching, brand strategy and world wide trade mark protection as well as dealing with a range of intellectual property disputes and litigation.
Chief Technology Officer
Craig's primary focus is on leveraging advanced technologies, particularly AI, to enhance operational efficiency and client service. His responsibilities include developing sophisticated tools, leading the technology strategy, managing system integrations, and providing robust tech support to the team.
Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution
Ian joined our dispute resolution team in 2016 and has over 25 years of experience in handling a broad range of commercial disputes.
Partner - Financial Services
John assists clients with a wealth of specialist knowledge in financial services regulation, payment services, electronic money, consumer credit, and anti-money laundering legislation.
Quality and Compliance Director & Commercial Partner
As a previous partner at DLA Piper, Sarah comes with a rich pedigree in providing expert commercial services for her clients.
Partner and Head of Employment Law
Simon acts for employers of all sizes, particularly tech and manufacturing, and specialises in managing people matters, including TUPE, sales and acquisitions of companies, and restructures/redundancies.
Director of Legal Strategy and Operations & Head of Commercial
With over 24 years’ experience advising on commercial matters, Stephen brings a wealth of technology expertise having previously worked in-house as senior counsel to BT before joining private practice.
In line with our ambitious growth plans, we are always looking for talented lawyers and other professionals to join our team. While our lawyers and some other teams work remotely, we work very hard to ensure everyone feels part of a team so they can collaborate, share ideas and enjoy each other’s company. We want our people to feel that they are part of an ambitious organisation and that their contribution towards our growth is recognised individually and as a team.
We offer career opportunities for all levels of experience to meet and evolve with individual needs, whether that means intellectually stimulating work for interesting and inspiring clients, building and leading a team or an opportunity to accelerate a career in a role supported by an experienced mentor.
Learn more about career opportunities
The overall experience has been excellent. The service has always been clear, professional, responsive and efficient. Communication is straightforward, turnaround times are quick and we always feel supported whenever we need advice or assistance. Our matters have been handled smoothly and with great attention to detail. I’d also like to specifically recognise Mark [Gudgeon], who’s been outstanding. He’s highly professional, responsive, proactive and a pleasure to work with.
Paloma de Laurentis Finance Operations Manager, Hastee
We couldn’t be happier with Harper James. The team has been incredibly supportive, approachable and professional, making us feel in safe hands throughout. We’ve felt listened to and guided at every step, with advice that’s tailored to our needs. We’d wholeheartedly recommend Harper James to other businesses looking for a reliable, knowledgeable and supportive legal partner.
Natalie Chiu Co-founder, Saicho
It was really helpful having someone with legal expertise that also had the software engineering experience. Because when we're talking about the intricacies of how our platform works, David understood exactly what we meant.
Benedict Heaver CEO, Streets Heaver
Harper James delivers the depth and calibre of a traditional heavyweight firm but with the agility, transparent pricing, and entrepreneurial mindset that startups truly need.
Paulo Matos Director, Ageiro Ltd
Their team doesn't just provide rigid legal advice; they take the time to deeply understand our business goals, offering pragmatic, strategic guidance that has been vital during critical contract negotiations. Whenever complex disputes or roadblocks have arisen, their response has been swift, reassuring, and incredibly effective.
Paulo Matos Director, Ageiro Ltd
Availability for advice, with timely and reliable turnaround on reviews and legal drafting. Simon offers practical, balanced and timely advice. He remains highly responsive, particularly when fast turnarounds are required.
Anna Clarke Chief People Officer, Namos Solutions Ltd