Julia Ellis

Julia is a highly experienced commercial lawyer who helps ambitious businesses manage risk, solve problems and grow with confidence. She advises start-ups, scale-ups and established multinational groups across B2B and B2C markets, bringing more than 20 years’ experience from private practice and in-house legal teams.

She advises on commercial and intellectual property matters across a wide range of sectors, including technology, retail, life sciences, manufacturing and consumer businesses. Her work includes drafting and negotiating customer and supplier agreements, framework agreements, terms of service, technology and licensing arrangements, and IP assignment agreements. Julia also advises on marketing, advertising, influencer, sponsorship and promotional contracts, partnerships and joint ventures, research and development collaborations, and the protection and ownership of IP in consultant and supplier arrangements.

Julia takes a practical, commercially focused approach. She works closely with clients to understand their objectives, priorities and pressure points, translating complex legal issues into clear, proportionate advice that supports confident decision-making.

Before joining Harper James, Julia was a consultant Partner and Head of Commercial at a London law firm. Alongside leading commercial client work, she was closely involved in the firm’s day-to-day operations, including marketing, business development and other operational matters. This experience gives Julia a first-hand understanding of the opportunities and challenges involved in building and scaling a business.

Julia has also held in-house legal roles at TJX Inc (TK Maxx), Centrica plc, Morgan Advanced Materials plc and Premier Foods plc. Working closely with commercial and operational teams, she provided pragmatic, risk-based advice across strategic transactions, technology and IT projects, intellectual property, marketing and general business operations.

Work highlights include:

• Supporting a cloud-based CRM provider for charities and non-profits, with its terms of business and partnership arrangements.
• Leading a project for an FTSE 30 business to streamline the flow of work into its legal team, helping it to prioritise support and make best use of internal resources.
• Advising spin-out and early-stage biotech and medtech businesses on research collaborations, development projects and related commercial arrangements.
• Helping an early-stage biotech business commercialise its IP through supply, distribution and licensing arrangements.

Julia enjoys building trusted, long-term relationships with clients and is known for her down-to-earth style and dislike of unnecessary legalese.

Outside work, Julia enjoys spending time in nature, particularly hiking and water sports. She is also an enthusiastic – if perpetually beginner – musician.

“I have first-hand experience of the challenges of running a scaling business, which means I can bring another perspective to my advice. I enjoy getting to know a client’s objectives and goals, so that I can provide practical, tailored support that helps them move forward with confidence.”