James Ford
Image of James Ford

James Ford

Counsel

Email

james.ford@aoshearman.com

Phone

+442030881373

Offices

London

V-CARD
James advises on regulatory compliance, transactional advice and investigations in the areas of sanctions and export controls, supply chains and human rights and anti-corruption.
James has previously been seconded to: the global sanctions team of a major European bank; the group legal team of a European-headquartered mining company; the group export controls team of a major defence company during the term of a Consent Agreement with the US State Department; the disputes team of a major international bank; and the bribery and corruption team of a global oil and gas company.

James also sits on the Board of Transparency International UK, a leading anti-corruption NGO, and established and leads the Transparency International Professional Supporters (TIPS) Network.

James is recognised as a Leading Associate (ESG: Advisory) by Legal 500.

Expertise

Industries

Experience

Representative matters

  • A European mining company on the development of a sanctions compliance programme, the conduct of an anti-corruption risk assessment, and the assessment of supply chain risks in Africa, South America and South-East Asia. (previous firm experience)
  • A global aerospace and defence company on UK, EU and US export controls in relation to adverse internal audit findings and potential violations of applicable export control regulations. (previous firm experience)
  • A South American oil and gas company on its response to a National Contact Point complaint brought in a European jurisdiction. (previous firm experience)
  • A private equity funds and other investors on M&A transaction due diligence in the areas of anti-corruption, sanctions and human rights. (previous firm experience)

Pro bono

  • Advising a European anti-corruption charity and an African NGO on the human rights and environmental impacts of a multi-jurisdictional corruption and tax evasion scheme. (previous firm experience)
  • Advising the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of the Judiciary on challenges to the independence of the judiciary throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. (previous firm experience)

Published Work

  • Sam Eastwood, James Ford and Elinam Amegadzie (2025), “The Next Era of Sustainability Leadership: CEO Survey Shows the Business Case is Now”, Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance
  • Jason Hungerford, Ori Lev, Tamer Soliman and James Ford (2022), “Sanctions in Practice: Issues Arising for Financial Institutions and Regulated Entities”, Global Investigations Review, The Guide to Sanctions, 3rd edition
  • Sam Eastwood, James Ford, Josh Haig (2022), “ESG supply chain due diligence: Addressing modern slavery and human rights risks in practice”, European CEO
  • Johannes Weichbrodt, James Ford and Libby Reynolds (2022), “EU Publishes Draft Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive”, Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance

Speaking Engagements

  • ABC Enforcement Trends and Developments: 2026 Look Ahead, Transparency International UK, Dec 2025
  • Shifting Sands in Corporate Criminal Liability, Construction Conference, November 2025
  • BHRLA Conference: Navigating Change, NextGen lawyers roundtable, Feb 2025
  • ABC Enforcement Trends and Developments: 2025 Look Ahead, Transparency International UK, Dec 2024
  • Human Rights Investigations in Complex Supply Chains, Panellist, Association of Corporate Investigators, June 2024
  • 25 Years of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention, Panellist, June 2024
  • Climate Change and the Environment - the Social Dimension, Panellist, Sustainable Trading, Feb 2024
  • Coordinating Anti-corruption with Sustainability, Moderator, Transparency International UK, Nov 2023
  • The Complex Web of Financial Crime, Panellist, GRC World Forum, Nov 2023
  • Greenwashing and enforcement, Panellist, Asset Recovery CEE, Apr 2023
  • From TCF to ESG – The ever-expanding importance of social purpose in regulation and compliance, Panellist, International Compliance Association, May 2022
  • ESG Policy Evolutions, The Suspicious Transaction Report, Podcast Guest, Royal United Services Institute, Mar 2022
  • Move Towards Sanctions for Cyber, Corruption, Election Fraud, Climate Control, and Human Rights: What to expect in 2022, Panellist, GRC World Forum, Jan 2022

Qualifications

Admissions

Admitted as a Solicitor (England and Wales), 2015

Academic

Legal Practical Course, BPP Law School, 2013

Graduate Diploma in Law, BPP Law School, 2012

Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, Yale University, 2011
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.