James is a commercial litigator specialising in claims against large institutional defendants. He has an in-depth understanding of disputes involving financial markets and products, private equity, hedge funds, data protection, shareholder and companies’ issues, fraud, and mis-selling. James forged his career at London’s leading litigation houses – Freshfields, Clyde & Co, and Mishcon de Reya – before establishing Milberg’s London office. He has worked on many of the UK’s highest profile and industry-recognised commercial disputes, frequently appearing in national and international press.
In 2016, James had two cases named in ‘The Lawyer’s’ Top 20 Cases of The Year. One of those cases involved a claim worth more than £2bn against Citibank, arising from a private equity house’s acquisition of music label EMI. The other case was a claim against Barclays on behalf of a small business owner who had been mis-sold a product alongside thousands of others. After a hearing on that case, James was named The Times Lawyer of the Week.
In the same year, James launched the ground-breaking data protection claim Lloyd v Google which went all the way to the Supreme Court in 2021. As he told the Financial Times at the time, the case was an important step in the economic reckoning of consumers’ personal data, which historically there has been limited protection for.
James achieved all of this before he turned 40.
Due to changes to the UK litigation landscape over the last decade, including more money coming into the market, technology, and procedural innovation, James believes that more group actions can be successfully pursued. He felt the time was right to establish a forward-looking UK law practice that reflected the growing importance of group actions, which he views as essential for holding corporate giants to account.
James is part of the team at Milberg London acting on behalf of tens of thousands of motorists in various emissions group claims. In addition, he assists on competition matters and leads on case origination, ATE insurance and litigation funding across the business. James continues to work on general commercial disputes and investigations within Milberg London’s Commercial Litigation practice.
James is ranked Band 2 by Chambers in its 2024 guide for Group Litigation: Claimant. James is also recognised as a Leading Individual by The Legal 500.
Lawyer of the week: James Oldnall
Litigation Funding – The UK Rankings
“I sat on the client steering committee for a large, complex group action which took several years to resolve. The Milberg team, in a friendly and approachable way, kept me well informed throughout and expertly guided me through the legal process. When it came to making important decisions, their clarity, advice and support was top-notch. James and Polly’s hard work and skill in the final negotiations were key to getting the best outcome for the client group and I am delighted with the result.” – Michael Ferguson, a client from Peterborough
“James Oldnall is a very experienced, clever litigator” – Chambers and Partners
“James has a good reputation and is a star player in his team who provides a lot of strategic direction” – Chambers and Partners
“He’s commercially minded and a great strategist. He’s not afraid to make difficult calls and to be aggressive when the occasion calls for it. He takes a strong approach and is proactive” – Chambers and Partners
“James Oldnall leads a team which includes ‘strong personalities’ and is ‘user friendly’” – The Legal500
LLM/BA in Law from The University of Auckland, 1996 to 2001
Admitted onto the roll of solicitors in New Zealand in 2002
Admitted onto the roll of solicitors in England and Wales in May 2009
Associate, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, 2007
Senior Associate and Legal Director, Clyde & Co LLP, 2007 to 2011
Legal Director and Partner, Mishcon de Reya LLP, 2011 to 2020
Managing Partner, Milberg London LLP, 2020 to present
The Times, Lawyer of the Week
Nomination for Dispute Resolution Team of the Year at the 2016 Legal Business Awards for work on Holmcroft Properties Ltd Vs KPMG LLP
Milberg London LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership incorporated in England and Wales under registered number OC430853, VAT 371768662, registered office Third Floor, Sutton Yard, 65 Goswell Road, London, EC1V 7EN. We are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with registration number 670230.
Some of the results expressed on this site were accomplished by Milberg Phillips Grossman LLP (“Milberg”) and its attorneys. Milberg London LLP is an independently operated affiliate firm of Milberg.
Travelers Insurance Company Limited under policy number UCSOL5606785
Milberg London LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership incorporated in England and Wales under registered number OC430853, VAT 371768662, registered office Third Floor, Sutton Yard, 65 Goswell Road, London, EC1V 7EN. We are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with registration number 670230.
Some of the results expressed on this site were accomplished by Milberg Phillips Grossman LLP (“Milberg”) and its attorneys. Milberg London LLP is an independently operated affiliate firm of Milberg.
Travelers Insurance Company Limited under policy number UCSOL5606785
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