Our People

Principal

Direct line +61 8 6383 7501

Mobile  +61 414 377 337

Email    james@steedmanstagg.com.au

Before establishing Steedman Stagg Lawyers with Nick Stagg, James was a senior partner in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution and Private Clients teams at leading independent WA law firm Lavan for seven years, joining them in 2014. Prior to that, he spent 15 years as a partner in a boutique litigation and property practice based in Perth.

Recognised as one of Australia’s best lawyers in Alternative Dispute Resolution and one of WA’s leading Wills & Estates litigation lawyers, James’ legal experience is wide ranging.

For more than 30 years James has acted for clients in Court proceedings and alternative dispute resolution processes including private mediations and arbitrations, and cross-border disputes.

James’ clients have included listed companies and subsidiaries, high net wealth individuals, small to medium enterprises, private companies, family businesses, individuals and not for profit enterprises.

He has worked extensively in:

• Corporate disputes involving breaches of directors’ duties, statutory derivative claims, breaches of continuous disclosure obligations, ASIC examinations (ss 19 & 33 notices), winding up applications on just and equitable grounds, and oppression claims
• Contractual disputes in the construction and property sectors
• Employment related contractual claims involving enforcement of or breaches of post-termination restrictive covenants
• Misleading or deceptive conduct claims commonly in commercial transactions involving sales and acquisitions of property and businesses
• Property related disputes such as adverse possession claims, commercial lease disputes; partition claims, and proprietary estoppel claims
• Mining tenement disputes
• Trusts and estates litigation and private mediations (domestic and cross-border) including breaches of trust and fiduciary duty claims, and contentious and non-contentious probate matters
• Elder abuse matters

James is also sought out for his expertise in business succession planning, estate planning, structural reviews, preparation of Wills, enduring powers of attorney and guardianship, and advance health directives, and estate administration.

Accountants and financial advisors, members of the independent Bar, and other lawyers frequently refer clients to James.