James Hartwell

James also advises large corporations on complex special situations, including M&A, executive transitions, short seller scrutiny, and industrial action. He has advised clients through some of the most high-profile corporate crises and reputational challenges of recent years.

Prior to joining Kekst CNC's New York office, James spent more than five years as part of the firm's London team. He has significant cross-border project experience and holds a B.A. in Politics and International Relations from the University of Nottingham

Private Capital

• Private Equity: Advising firms on numerous investments, realizations, fundraises, and broader profile-raising initiatives across strategies. Representative examples include EQT, BC Partners, Sandbrook Capital, Centre Partners, and various confidential clients.
• Private Credit: Ongoing work with Audax Private Debt and BC Partners Credit on a range of reputational matters.
• Venture Capital: Extensive work with venture firms and corporate venture firms on investments, brand building, issues management, crises, fundraising, and portfolio IPO communications. Representative examples include EQT Ventures, IVP, MMV, Leaps by Bayer, and BP Ventures.
• Pension Platforms: Advising pension platforms, including AustralianSuper and OTPP, on U.S. investments and market presence from a reputational perspective.

Financial Situations & Transactions

• Equitable Holdings’ $22 billion pending merger of equals with Corebridge Financial;
• Janus Henderson on its $7.8 billion take-private transaction with Trian Partners and General Catalyst, and Victory Capital’s unsolicited takeover offer;
• The parent group of 7-Eleven, Seven & I, on its response to Alimentation Couche-Tard’s $47 billion unsolicited acquisition proposal;
• Dallas Morning News’ take-private transaction with Hearst;
• Coventry Building Society’s acquisition of the Co-operative Bank;
• Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling’s merger to form A&O Shearman;
• RSM US with various acquisitions;
• Dufry’s $2.8 billion acquisition of Autogrill and subsequent rebrand to Avolta;
• Mars with various acquisitions;
• SoftBank’s attempted $40 billion sale of Arm Holdings to NVIDIA.

Crisis, Issues, & Litigation

• Various work for Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group, on portfolio and Group matters;
• Various industrial disputes involving a “Big Three” automotive manufacturer;
• Several industrial disputes on behalf of a publicly traded transport operator;
• Numerous private capital portfolio company matters, ranging from personal disputes to bank robberies;
• Large industrial and energy clients on local site matters;
• Advising on private capital LP, portfolio company, and personnel litigation matters;
• Work with a leading cryptocurrency platform on its litigation against the SEC;
• Advising a leading law firm on its litigation with a government agency;
• Supported numerous publicly traded companies with “strike suit” investor litigation.

Shareholder Activism

• Advises U.S. and multinational companies on public and private engagement strategies, including proxy contests involving leading activist investors, as well as smaller and first-time activists – leveraging deep expertise working directly with investment firms.

Investor Relations

• Supports the development and execution of strategic financial communications initiatives, including equity narrative development, complex disclosures, IPO processes, and quarterly earnings support.