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Fee Earner Q&A with James Whittaker (Insolvency)
James Whittaker
James Whittaker (pictured), joined Bermans in 2019 and is a Partner in our Insolvency team. We spoke to him to learn more about him and his work.
1. Can you give us a brief summary of your career so far?
I trained at DWF in Liverpool prior to joining the commercial litigation team at Weightmans. I returned to the insolvency team at DWF before joining the insolvency team at Bermans as a Senior Associate in 2019. I was promoted to Partner in January 2024.
2. What area of the law do you specialise in and why?
Insolvency law – I enjoy the technical challenge of being an insolvency lawyer, and the varied nature of the job, which can be both contentious and non-contentious.
3. Is there a case or a particular piece of work you were proud to be involved with, if so why?
I am proud of assisting a client to reach a favourable settlement of a significant claim worth c£18m brought by a liquidator for misfeasance arising out of the company’s use of tax avoidance schemes.
4. Away from the law what are your interests and passions?
I enjoy cycling (both road and mountain bike, but predominantly road cycling) and also following professional racing. I also enjoy camping and currently trying to tick of as many Wainwrights as possible! I am also a keen Liverpool FC fan.
Bullet Round…
Sports & Teams Supported: Liverpool FC
Films (Top 3): Pulp Fiction, Trainspotting, The Godfather
Music (3 tracks/albums to take on Desert Island):
- Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon
- Dream Theater – Awake
- Sleep Token – Take Me Back to Eden
Boxsets: Breaking Bad, Mad Men, House, 24
Podcasts you listen to/recommend: The Geraint Thomas Cycling Club
Meal: Steak and chips
Holiday destination: Anywhere where there is decent cycling!
Favourite book: 1984
3 people for a dinner party and why?
- Steven Gerrard – Obviously being a Liverpool fan!
- Bradley Wiggins – He is responsible for getting me into road cycling, and would like to hear about his incredible 2012 season.
- Joe Simpson – Joe is a mountaineer who wrote the book “Touching the Void” based on his near death experience mountaineering in the Peruvian Andes.
Get in touch with James
e: james.whittaker@bermans.co.uk
t: 0161 827 4605