Bio
James Kitching is a Partner in the Corporate Practice Group in the British Virgin Islands.
He has extensive corporate and commercial law experience, acting as a trusted advisor for businesses throughout their life cycle – from incorporation to listing/exit. His practice has an international focus, working closely with in-house legal teams, general counsel, onshore law firms, and the c-suite executives across blue chips, family offices, and founder lead businesses.
James has particular expertise advising companies in the technology, DeFi, and digital assets sectors, as well as advising SPACs from formation through to the acquisition of their target.
Prior to joining Appleby, James worked at another leading BVI firm and in the corporate team of the transatlantic law firm, Womble Bond Dickinson. He also time spent in-house with UK insurer, LV=.
Bio
James Kitching is a Partner in the Corporate Practice Group in the British Virgin Islands.
He has extensive corporate and commercial law experience, acting as a trusted advisor for businesses throughout their life cycle – from incorporation to listing/exit. His practice has an international focus, working closely with in-house legal teams, general counsel, onshore law firms, and the c-suite executives across blue chips, family offices, and founder lead businesses.
James has particular expertise advising companies in the technology, DeFi, and digital assets sectors, as well as advising SPACs from formation through to the acquisition of their target.
Prior to joining Appleby, James worked at another leading BVI firm and in the corporate team of the transatlantic law firm, Womble Bond Dickinson. He also time spent in-house with UK insurer, LV=.
Work Highlights
Technology/DeFi/Digital Assets
- Team lead on the launch in the BVI of one of the world’s largest blockchains.*
- Counsel to a South America based decentralised verification layer (layer 2) project with all aspects of its corporate and commercial life cycle – initial fundraising, formation of the foundation and token issuer, opinions, terms of sale for the token, engagement with market makers and other third parties, as well as day-to-day advice.*
- Counsel to a proprietory algorithmic trading firm on its Series Seed and Series A fund rounds, group reorganisation, as well as providing day-to-day advice.*
- Advising a blockchain-focused venture capital firm, spun out of a major blockchain, on day-to-day commercial matters relating to its investments (side letters, assignments, share issues, variations, token purchases) as well as regulatory advice.*
- Advising one of the biggest free-to-play Web3-integrated MMORPGs, throughout its transition from a Web2 to Web3 game, providing day-to-day support on capital raises, token sales, regulatory considerations, and general structuring.*
- Advising a modular blockchain platform spun out of a major blockchain and backed by top VCs, on all aspects of its corporate and commercial lifecycle including initial fundraising, regulatory opinions, the terms of sale of its token, engagement with market makers, and other day-to-day matters.*
- Supporting litigation colleagues on a ground-breaking liquidation of a DAO using the BVI receivership regime.*
Public Companies
- Advising dozens of special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) on their US listings. Including serial sponsors and the first BVI incorporated SPAC listing in London under a new regime.*
- Advising numerous SPACs on their eventual business combinations. Many being multi-billion dollar transactions and each one involving a unique structure.*
- Outside of SPACs, assisting BVI entities looking to go to market, with business-as-usual work, and de-listing.*
General Corporate
- The acquisition of a regional insolvency practice by a global brand.*
- The acquisition of a UK football club.*
- Transactional structuring for a major middle eastern investor relating to a UK luxury brand.*
*Prior to joining Appleby
Technology/DeFi/Digital Assets
- Team lead on the launch in the BVI of one of the world’s largest blockchains.*
- Counsel to a South America based decentralised verification layer (layer 2) project with all aspects of its corporate and commercial life cycle – initial fundraising, formation of the foundation and token issuer, opinions, terms of sale for the token, engagement with market makers and other third parties, as well as day-to-day advice.*
- Counsel to a proprietory algorithmic trading firm on its Series Seed and Series A fund rounds, group reorganisation, as well as providing day-to-day advice.*
- Advising a blockchain-focused venture capital firm, spun out of a major blockchain, on day-to-day commercial matters relating to its investments (side letters, assignments, share issues, variations, token purchases) as well as regulatory advice.*
- Advising one of the biggest free-to-play Web3-integrated MMORPGs, throughout its transition from a Web2 to Web3 game, providing day-to-day support on capital raises, token sales, regulatory considerations, and general structuring.*
- Advising a modular blockchain platform spun out of a major blockchain and backed by top VCs, on all aspects of its corporate and commercial lifecycle including initial fundraising, regulatory opinions, the terms of sale of its token, engagement with market makers, and other day-to-day matters.*
- Supporting litigation colleagues on a ground-breaking liquidation of a DAO using the BVI receivership regime.*
Public Companies
- Advising dozens of special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) on their US listings. Including serial sponsors and the first BVI incorporated SPAC listing in London under a new regime.*
- Advising numerous SPACs on their eventual business combinations. Many being multi-billion dollar transactions and each one involving a unique structure.*
- Outside of SPACs, assisting BVI entities looking to go to market, with business-as-usual work, and de-listing.*
General Corporate
- The acquisition of a regional insolvency practice by a global brand.*
- The acquisition of a UK football club.*
- Transactional structuring for a major middle eastern investor relating to a UK luxury brand.*
*Prior to joining Appleby
Recognition
- Leading Associate – Legal 500 – Corporate and Commercial
- Rising Star – IFLR
- Leading Associate – Legal 500 – Corporate and Commercial
- Rising Star – IFLR
Qualifications & Education
- Politics and American Studies BA Joint Honours, University of Nottingham (UK) & Reed College (USA)
- Graduate Diploma in Law, University of Bournemouth (UK)
- Legal Practice Course, University of Bournemouth (UK)
- Politics and American Studies BA Joint Honours, University of Nottingham (UK) & Reed College (USA)
- Graduate Diploma in Law, University of Bournemouth (UK)
- Legal Practice Course, University of Bournemouth (UK)
