James Chadburn

James Chadburn is the Managing Partner of Dean Wilson LLP, a 140-person, multi-disciplinary law firm based in Brighton. He effectively operates as CEO and COO of the firm, with responsibility for strategy, financial performance, compliance, risk management, HR leadership, IT modernisation, and AI transformation.

A former small scale M&A lawyer, James now leads the firm's long-term growth strategy, with a clear focus on organic expansion, operational excellence, partner leverage, and the productisation of legal services through technology. He is also the firm's COLP and MLRO, giving him hands-on responsibility for regulatory compliance, financial crime prevention, and risk governance.

James is particularly interested in how law firms can use AI and agentic workflows to improve efficiency, profitability, and client experience, without compromising professional standards or regulatory obligations. He works closely with partners and teams to embed practical, commercially-minded innovation into day-to-day legal practice.