James Thorndyke

James is a Partner in the Dispute Resolution department. His practice focuses on commercial litigation and arbitration. James has particular experience advising and acting for clients on sport, IP, regulatory and high value commercial disputes. He is routinely instructed by athletes, sport’s governing bodies, rights holders and talent to protect their reputations, rights and commercial interests.

James has advised clients on many high-profile matters that routinely involve urgent advice and action. He has worked on several notable commercial, IP and sport’s disputes often involving cross border issues, including advising on:

• Contractual claims;
• Trade Mark, Copyright, Design Right and Passing off disputes;
• Shareholder and company claims; and
• Disciplinary and regulatory proceedings.

James qualified in 2007 and joined SMB as a Partner in March 2026 from a leading international law firm.

Since 2020, James has been recognised as a leading partner for sport’s law in England and Wales. He is also a ranked lawyer for commercial litigation disputes. His clients and work contacts have described him as follows:

“James Thorndyke consistently provides sensible and practical guidance and is excellent in client management matters”.

“James Thorndyke is an excellent partner, very clever and excellent on the law, while remaining very commercial minded and client focussed.”

Other testimonials provide that James has “strong industry knowledge” is “personable, with excellent commercial and legal instincts and trusted by clients” and has “a great eye for detail”.

James is a member of the Trusted Advisor network and currently sits as an independent appeal’s judge for Swim England. James is also a co-author of a chapter in the practitioner’s book, Football and the Law.