James Breffit is Director at Cleveland & Co. With 13 years of legal experience, James advises private market clients, asset managers, institutional investors, and financial institutions on the full range of funds, investment management, corporate, and regulatory matters. His work spans complex joint ventures, M&A transactions, and strategic governance projects, with specialist expertise in the real estate, renewable energy, and clean energy sectors.
James began his career at SJ Berwin before moving into private practice roles with leading international firms, culminating in his position as Legal Director at Gowling WLG in their Funds and Corporate team. Earlier in his career, he also gained valuable in-house experience advising on fund structuring, co-investments, and renewable energy projects from within the commercial environment. This combination of experience gives him the ability to deliver advice that is not only technically precise but also operationally and strategically attuned.
His renewable energy work includes advising on some of the UK’s largest solar transactions by capacity and value at the time, from initial development and financing through to operational management and sale. Over the course of his career, James has supported clients with strategic fundraisings, co-investments, segregated mandates, and core regulatory compliance, working closely with senior executives, boards, and investment committees to deliver commercially grounded solutions.
At Cleveland & Co, James plays a key leadership role in the private markets practice, providing advice on fund structuring, joint ventures, investment governance, and cross-border transactions. In line with the firm’s values of integrity, clarity, and excellence, James is known for translating complex legal and regulatory frameworks into practical guidance, building trust with clients, and ensuring that their strategic objectives remain at the heart of every solution. His collaborative approach reflects Cleveland & Co’s ethos of partnership, fostering strong relationships across jurisdictions and with leadership teams at all levels.
Outside of work, James enjoys reading, countryside walks, and contributing to community activities.
James has experience in:
- Administration
- AIFMD / AIFMs / AIFs
- Asset management
- Banking
- Broker agreements / Broker services
- Clean energy funding and warranties
- Collective Investment Schemes
- Contracts / Contract Drafting and Negotiation
- Corporate Agreements
- Corporate and Commercial Contracts
- Corporate and M&A
- Corporate Finance
- Corporate governance
- Corporate Governance
- Corporate Law
- Corporate Restructuring
- Corporate Transactions
- Custody
- Depositary Services
- Distribution / Distribution Agreements
- Due Diligence and Vendor Due Diligence
- Financial Regulation
- Fund Governance / Fund Structures
- Funds
- Funds (registered and unregistered/listed or unlisted)
- General Corporate
- Investment Management Agreements
- Investment Managers
- Joint ventures
- Legal Due Diligence / Legal Research
- LPAs
- M&A / M&A Due Diligence
- Marketing and Pre-Marketing Rules
- MiFID I
- NDAs
- Option Agreements
- Private Equity
- Project Finance
- Real Estate
- Real Estate Asset Managers
- Regulatory
- Regulatory
- Regulatory & Compliance
- Renewable energy projects
- Securities
- Service Agreements
- Share Purchase Agreements
- UK & EU Financial Services Legislation
Leading Complex Fund & Joint Venture Structuring
Advised on high-value fund and joint venture arrangements, including the establishment of innovative investment fund structures, complex feeder structures, and cutting-edge management vehicles in the clean energy and climate mitigation sectors. Led negotiations, drafted LPAs, shareholder agreements, and all associated regulatory documentation across multi-jurisdictional transactions.
Major Real Estate and Corporate Joint Ventures
Acted on landmark corporate real estate transactions, including a significant joint venture and redevelopment projects for pension funds. Led transaction management, drafting, and negotiation of LLPAs, SPAs, AMAs, and strategic agreements on a range of projects aimed at delivering thousands of homes and developments over the next decade.
Renewable Energy Sector Leadership
Provided full life cycle legal support on renewable energy projects, from set up and financing to operation, refinancing, and exit. Led the complex disposal of a portfolio of ten solar parks, one of the most significant UK solar transactions by capacity and value at the time of completion, managing an extensive due diligence process and complex pre-completion reorganisation.
High-Value M&A and Corporate Transactions
Represented corporate and institutional clients in high-profile UK and cross-border M&A transactions, including the sale of an international healthcare provider and the acquisition of major real estate assets via Jersey property unit trusts. Managed the entire process from due diligence to completion, including regulatory, financing, and governance considerations.
Strategic Regulatory and Fund Governance Advice
Advised a range of financial institutions, fund managers, and asset managers on compliance, fund governance, and operational agreements, including AIFM, depositary, custodian,administration and operator agreements. Delivered strategic insight to optimise structures and ensure adherence to UK, EU, and international financial services regulations.
- Law Society of England and Wales
- BA Hons – History (University of Exeter) – 2007
- LLB Hons and LPC (College of Law) – 2009
- Qualified as a Solicitor in England & Wales
- English
