Supporting your role
Support for CFOs and finance leaders
Drive your business's financial success with a trusted partner for strategic legal support
As a finance leader, you’re often the de facto legal lead – overseeing contracts, compliance, and governance on top of financial strategy and risk management. Balancing all of these responsibilities can be overwhelming and leave little room for driving growth.
At Harper James, we provide business-focused legal solutions designed around your needs and goals. Let us tackle the legal burden so you can focus on what matters most: strengthening your company’s bottom line and building sustainable success.
How we can help
Legal solutions shaped around your financial vision
With tight deadlines, regulatory pressures, and a long to-do list, we’re here to lighten the load.
Our commercial lawyers can support you on all the legal aspects of your role – whether it’s controlling cash flow, navigating M&A, or staying compliant in a fast-changing environment. We’re here to help you:
Build sustainable growth
Structuring deals, navigating M&A, or clarifying obligations in commercial agreements: our goal is to secure your vision for the future and ensure long-term resilience.
Manage risk
From setting risk thresholds to crafting robust contracts, we help you stay compliant and prepared. Our team works to minimise vulnerabilities – whether it’s regulatory pressure, late payments, or escalating disputes – so you protect both cash flow and reputation.
As a strategic sounding board
Sometimes you need a fresh perspective to validate your decisions or explore new opportunities. We’re here to offer legal and commercial insights that complement your financial expertise, guiding you through everything from resource allocation to forward-planning.
And, when you work with Harper James, you benefit from:
Flexible service plans: Access top-tier legal expertise through one-off or subscription-based plans. Whether you need ongoing support for routine matters or extra muscle for a major transaction, our flexible approach helps you manage costs and scale up (or down) in line with your financial strategy.
Agile business model: We combine the depth and rigour of a City firm with the efficiency of a modern, distributed team. You benefit from seasoned experts on hand – without incurring the usual overheads.
Culture of collaboration: Our people-first ethos means we truly invest in your success. We act as an extension of your finance leadership, always ready to respond with practical, commercial advice that fits your goals and budget.
Curious how a forward-thinking firm can better support your business?
Testimonials
Join over 5,000 successful businesses who have partnered with us for their legal support
From fast-growing start-ups to well-established companies, finance leaders across the UK trust us to protect their interests and drive results. Here’s what they have to say:
It's been fantastic - I've worked with 3 lawyers to date (commercial, incentive, employment) and all three have been very competent in their areas.
The value for money is unbeatable - I have already recommended it to another start up who plans to reach out shortly.
Colin Blakely
Head of Finance,
Qargo Tech Limited
It's a great way of having an in-house lawyer but with much lower costs
Rachel Willis
Finance Manager,
Upscope Limited
I have worked with Callum Giliker on quite a number of corporate fundraising transactions over the last few years and have always found Callum to take a calm, knowledgeable and productive lead, keeping things as simple as possible.
Matthew Dreaper
CFO,
Oxford Space Systems
Fast, efficient and pragmatic advise! Excellent advise delivered quickly, over the weekend when needed such as with the recent SVB debacle.
Anna Fraser-Harris
CFO,
MyDidimo UK
Harper James has provided us with a highly responsive and pragmatic dispute resolution service which has been efficient and very cost effective in resolving recent disputes.
Alex Sloley
CFO,
Triptease
Nikki really stood out to us. She was incredibly professional, experienced and knowledgeable in her industry. She was very personal and friendly. Being the most complex transaction we've worked on, with multiple stakeholders involved, she did a great job at coordinating them. Nikki was extremely well organised and she made it as easy as possible for us to keep track of what was going on at different times. If there was something we didn't understand, she'd always follow-up with easy to digest explanations. Thank you Nikki and the team at Harper James!
Joanne Crighton
Finance & Administration Director,
Brickhunter
Abby got the job done in line with expectations. No dramas! I have used Harper James with several companies and for a range of legal topics. They generally provide good service at a very reasonable price point. They have a good understanding of growing technology companies.
Matthew Dreaper
Co-Founder and CFO,
Helix Technologies
It's been fantastic - I've worked with 3 lawyers to date (commercial, incentive, employment) and all three have been very competent in their areas.
The value for money is unbeatable - I have already recommended it to another start up who plans to reach out shortly.
Colin Blakely
Head of Finance,
Qargo Tech Limited
It's a great way of having an in-house lawyer but with much lower costs
Rachel Willis
Finance Manager,
Upscope Limited
I have worked with Callum Giliker on quite a number of corporate fundraising transactions over the last few years and have always found Callum to take a calm, knowledgeable and productive lead, keeping things as simple as possible.
Matthew Dreaper
CFO,
Oxford Space Systems
Fast, efficient and pragmatic advise! Excellent advise delivered quickly, over the weekend when needed such as with the recent SVB debacle.
Anna Fraser-Harris
CFO,
MyDidimo UK
Harper James has provided us with a highly responsive and pragmatic dispute resolution service which has been efficient and very cost effective in resolving recent disputes.
Alex Sloley
CFO,
Triptease
Nikki really stood out to us. She was incredibly professional, experienced and knowledgeable in her industry. She was very personal and friendly. Being the most complex transaction we've worked on, with multiple stakeholders involved, she did a great job at coordinating them. Nikki was extremely well organised and she made it as easy as possible for us to keep track of what was going on at different times. If there was something we didn't understand, she'd always follow-up with easy to digest explanations. Thank you Nikki and the team at Harper James!
Joanne Crighton
Finance & Administration Director,
Brickhunter
Abby got the job done in line with expectations. No dramas! I have used Harper James with several companies and for a range of legal topics. They generally provide good service at a very reasonable price point. They have a good understanding of growing technology companies.
Matthew Dreaper
Co-Founder and CFO,
Helix Technologies
What it's like to work with us
Flexible engagement, effortless collaboration
At Harper James, we adapt to your pace, your style, and your budget. Our legal team integrates seamlessly into your workflow, whether you need us for one-off projects or ongoing strategic support.
Beyond day-to-day legal advice, we continue to provide a variety of resources, insights and features for our clients.
Understanding your situation
What's your next challenge?
As a full-service business law firm, we can step in at any point as your business evolves – helping you address immediate issues and plan for future milestones.
Here are some of the common business drivers we support clients with:
Cash flow and credit control
Effective payment terms and credit control processes keep your business on track. We help you put solid systems in place, tackle overdue debts, and preserve important relationships.
Commercial contracts and supplier agreements
Well-crafted contracts shield your business from unexpected costs. We manage contract drafting, negotiation, and review so your time isn’t consumed by legal details.
Corporate governance
Good governance drives investor confidence. We refine board processes, ensure compliance, and manage regulatory filings to keep your business resilient.
Debt finance and lending
From bank loans to private lending, we help negotiate favourable terms and handle the legal complexities of debt instruments—so you can secure capital on the right footing.
Employment and HR matters
Restructuring, TUPE transfers, or sensitive HR projects often blend financial and legal considerations. We guide you through each step while safeguarding compliance.
Fundraising and investor relations
Securing growth capital requires due diligence, clear communication, and a solid legal framework. We streamline the process so you can attract and keep the right investors.
Intellectual property and intangible assets
Protecting your brand and innovations can create new revenue streams. We assist with registration, licensing, and dispute resolution to help you capitalise on what you’ve built.
Mergers and acquisitions
Large-scale transactions demand thorough legal and financial due diligence. We handle complex documentation and negotiations, ensuring each deal aligns with your commercial objectives.
Risk management and dispute resolution
From pre-emptive compliance checks to resolving disputes, we help you minimise damage, control costs, and keep your focus on strategic goals.
Meet our team
Your experienced legal partners
Many of our solicitors honed their craft as in-house counsel or at top City and international law firms. With an average of over 17 years’ post-qualification experience, each lawyer specialises in their chosen field – be it corporate, commercial, intellectual property, or employment law.
Why does this matter to you?
- We solve complicated issues quickly. Our lawyers’ experience helps them cut through legal red tape and address problems before they escalate.
- We introduce new solutions. With a breadth of knowledge and an eye on emerging trends, we can propose strategies that move your business forward.
- We reduce risk. Having experts dedicated to specific areas of law means you have someone who has seen (and resolved) similar challenges—providing confidence and peace of mind.
Whether you need high-level strategic advice or hands-on support with contracts and transactions, our team is here to help you protect your interests, drive growth, and stay one step ahead.
