David James

Partner, Family & Matrimonial

David is one of South Wales’ most experienced and respected family law practitioners, who has been practicing in his field for over 35 years. David joined the Family & Matrimonial team at Harding Evans as a Partner in September 2026, having spent over 20 years working at Wendy Hopkins.

He studied at the University of Wolverhampton and Chester College of Law before qualifying as a solicitor in 1991.

David is ranked as a Notable Practitioner in several leading legal directories.

He specialises in the financial issues that arise out of matrimonial and cohabitation disputes and has gained wide experience of high net asset matters to include family businesses, matters involving multiple properties, taxation and pension issues. He regularly deals with matters where a forensic analysis of the asset base is required.

David additionally deals with private Children law matters to include disputes regarding childcare arrangements.

Separately, David has been listed in several leading legal directories, for  years as an elite leading individual in Family Law where it is commented that “The supportive and very well-prepared David James is known for handling high value cases with a particular focus on business ownership and pension sharing issues”.

David was also recognised in a Business Today Article on the Top 10 Influential Family/Matrimonial lawyers explained: Elite Legal Minds in Wales, which stated “David James regularly advises his clients on high value financial remedy matters, particularly those involving corporate structures.

David separately contributes to topical news articles on TV and radio and has appeared on ITV Wales news and Radio Wales being interviewed on aspects of Family Law.

Additionally, David has presented at Solicitor Panel events at Cardiff University School of Law and Politics and has provided talks to Law students at the University of South Wales.

David has been a trustee at Family Mediation Cymru since September 2024 and is a former trustee of Relate Cymru.

With more than three decades of experience in family law, David brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the team.

A keen football fan, David is a long-standing Cardiff City season ticket holder which, in his own words, means that he “clearly enjoys a challenge”. He also loves to travel, take part in Park Run and walk his chocolate brown Labrador, Roscoe.