City law firm Speechly Bircham has appointed James Meakin as a partner in its Corporate Tax team.

James Meakin adds to the firm's existing strengths in both domestic and cross-border transactions, banking and finance, and real estate taxation. Previously with Taylor Wessing, James' expertise covers a broad range of sectors, from technology and life sciences, to real estate (investors, developers and funds).

Based in London, James will work closely with the firm's wider tax team in Luxembourg and Switzerland to provide an integrated, collaborative approach to both domestic and cross-border transactions.

James Carter, managing partner, commented: "We are pleased to welcome James as a partner in our Corporate Tax team. Speechlys has always been recognised for the quality of its tax structuring and planning expertise and so the breadth of James' transactional expertise will provide an invaluable resource for our corporate and real estate teams."

Commenting on his new role, James Meakin said: "The move to Speechly Bircham feels like a natural step and will allow me to develop Speechly Bircham's clientbase in the financial services, technology, real estate and private wealth sectors."

This expansion in London follows close on the heels of the opening of Speechly Bircham's latest office in Geneva, to complement its existing offices in Zurich and Luxembourg.  Tax is a key offering in each of the firm's offices.