Citywealth Leaders List, 60 seconds interview – James Legg, IMD Solicitors
This week’s 60 seconds Citywealth Leaders List interview is dedicated to James Legg, Partner (Barrister) and Head of Family Law at IMD Solicitors.
Tell Citywealth readers a bit about your role.
I am a Partner and Head of Family Law at IMD Solicitors. Our particular specialism is international family law, advising clients whose matters have a nexus to the courts of England and Wales. This often involves international families, cross-border disputes, overseas assets and complex jurisdictional issues.
My background as a barrister is a significant part of my practice. Unlike many family lawyers, I undertake my own advocacy and regularly represent clients in court, allowing me to guide a case from initial instruction through to final hearing. This continuity gives clients the benefit of consistent strategic advice and representation throughout what are often some of the most important and challenging moments of their lives.
What does a typical day look like for you?
No two days are ever the same. A typical day may involve advising clients on complex international family law issues, appearing in court, negotiating settlements, preparing for hearings and managing the strategic direction of the department.
As a barrister, advocacy remains an important part of my practice, so I regularly represent clients in court rather than instructing external counsel. I enjoy combining the advisory and advocacy aspects of family law, ensuring clients receive consistent guidance throughout the process, whilst managing my team in delivering an excellent service to our clients.
Tell us about some recent, interesting client instructions/requests you have received.
Many of the most interesting matters I handle involve high net worth individuals, international families and complex multi-jurisdictional disputes.
Recently, I successfully negotiated financial settlements involving assets and legal teams across Thailand, the UAE and England, including ongoing proceedings in Thailand; across England, Cyprus and the frontline regions of Ukraine; and across England, The Gambia and Lebanon, where parallel proceedings were also taking place in Lebanon. These matters required careful coordination between advisers in multiple jurisdictions and a strategic approach to protecting clients’ interests whilst navigating differing legal systems.
In relation to children matters, I have represented clients in a number of significant international cases. These have included a Spanish client seeking to enforce child arrangements orders in England, a Polish client seeking to enforce a Polish order concerning the return of a child to England, and a Malaysian client defending child abduction proceedings in England and Wales whilst also opposing freezing injunctions affecting substantial assets. Several of these matters involved representations to the Court of Appeal and applications connected with the European Court of Human Rights.
I am also currently involved in litigation concerning high net worth clients engaged in proceedings in England and Wales alongside parallel proceedings in India and Singapore, raising complex jurisdictional and strategic issues.
I have recently provided expert evidence to courts in a number of jurisdictions, including the United States, on aspects of family law in England and Wales. I also regularly advise clients with a nexus to the USA, particularly where family, financial or jurisdictional issues intersect with proceedings, assets or business interests connected to England and Wales.
What challenges do your clients face and how are you helping your clients to overcome them?
Clients frequently face uncertainty about their financial future, arrangements for their children and, in international cases, questions about jurisdiction and enforcement across borders.
I help clients by providing clear, strategic advice from the outset, ensuring they understand both the legal framework and the practical options available to them. My ability to conduct my own advocacy also means clients benefit from continuity and consistency between the advice they receive and the arguments presented on their behalf in court.
Wherever possible, I help clients find constructive and cost-effective solutions, but I am equally prepared to pursue litigation robustly when necessary to protect their interests.
What is your proudest professional achievement?
It has come over the last two and a half years, I have become a father to two children whilst also being promoted to Partner and subsequently taking on the role of Head of Family Law. Balancing the demands of a growing family with the responsibilities of leading a department has been both challenging and immensely rewarding.
I am privileged and am proud to see the impact of our work every day. Family law often brings people to us at one of the most difficult periods in their lives, and there is real satisfaction in helping clients reach outcomes that provide stability and enable families to move forward positively. Leading a team that achieves those results consistently is something I am particularly proud of.
What do you consider to be the most important attributes for a leader?
For me, leadership is about creating an environment where exceptional standards are expected and actively pursued, but never at the expense of people’s wellbeing. The best teams are ambitious, accountable and committed to continuous improvement whilst feeling supported and valued.
A key part of that is fostering psychological safety. People should feel comfortable providing and receiving honest feedback, challenging ideas, admitting mistakes and contributing their views without fear of criticism or blame. In my experience, individuals and teams perform at their best when there is a culture of trust, respect and open communication.
Ultimately, I believe that the most effective leaders combine high standards with empathy, integrity and a genuine commitment to helping others succeed.
Who do you most admire and why?
I most admire people who demonstrate resilience and integrity in the face of adversity. In my profession, I often see clients navigating incredibly challenging circumstances with remarkable courage and dignity, which I find both humbling and inspiring.
Where was the last place you travelled to for work or pleasure?
The last place I travelled to was Belgium for a long weekend. It was a great opportunity to reconnect with friends, enjoy a change of scenery and spend some quality time away from the demands of practice.
If you weren’t in this industry, what else might you be doing?
I would probably be a vet. I love animals and have had experiences in my life having grown up in Southern African where I have been able to help injured animals. I have also always enjoyed problem-solving and helping others. I think veterinary medicine combines all of that with a genuine opportunity to make a positive difference. It is a profession that requires a blend of technical expertise, empathy and resilience, qualities that I also value in legal practice.
How do you relax after a long day?
I enjoy spending time with family and friends, watching Newcastle United and practising yoga. Family law can be intense, so having opportunities to switch off, stay active and spend quality time with the people closest to me is essential. Following Newcastle is not always the most relaxing pastime, but it certainly keeps life interesting, and yoga provides the grounding, perspective and consistency that my football team sometimes cannot.
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