I am a Senior Associate Solicitor in the Dispute Resolution team, specialising in insolvency, restructuring and business disputes. I frequently advise insolvency practitioners, businesses, company directors, shareholders, partners and creditors.
I provide my clients with cost-effective and commercial advice, considering their options and risks to achieve the desired outcomes, while minimising the stress and time investment associated with litigation. My advice strikes a balance between adopting a commercial focus and maintaining a firm and tactical style when needed. I am known for my no-nonsense approach.
I collaborate with insolvency practitioners, accountants, and other professional services to provide my clients with a comprehensive range of options.
I frequently advise clients on:
Insolvency and Restructuring
• work relating to statutory demands, bankruptcy and winding up petitions
• in court and out of court administration applications
• claims for misfeasance and breach of duties, wrongful and fraudulent trading, preference
• Director’s disqualifications
• applications relating to prohibited names
• applications relating to the production of documents and examination
• in-specie distributions
• personal guarantees
Business Matters and Disputes
• pursuing or defending allegations of breach of directors’ duties
• disputes between shareholders, directors and partnership members
• claims and applications under the Companies Act, including in instances where there are no living members or office holders of a company
• company restorations
I can also accept instructions in respect of
• contractual disputes
• civil fraud
• intellectual property disputes
• reputational disputes, including defamation
• misrepresentation
Ana James-Pittau deserves special mention for her analytical approach and commercial pragmatism. She is a breath of fresh air and someone you want on your team.
I manage the commercial litigation and insolvency team in Chelmsford.
I am a member of the Association of Business Professionals R3 Eastern Region and have completed the R3 Introduction to Insolvency Certification.
I am recognised by the Legal 500 in 2026 and 2025 as a Leading Associate, in 2024 as a Rising Star and in 2023 as a Recommended Lawyer. I have been commended for ‘working on complicated cases which would usually be dealt with by more senior individuals’.
I qualified as a Solicitor in January 2017, having worked in the legal industry since 2010.
Outside of the legal profession, I spend most of my time exploring the Essex countryside with my dogs.
“Ana James-Pittau is a conscientious and diligent individual who remains on hand whenever necessary. Her clear instructions and thorough case preparation ensure her clients continue to achieve most favourable results.” Legal 500 uk, 2026 – South East – Commercial litigation: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx
“I provide pragmatic advice seeking to reach commercial solutions for my clients as I understand the pressures disputes can place on businesses and individuals, financially and otherwise. It is very rewarding to have resolved a dispute and kept my clients out of court and their legal spend to a minimum.“ Legal 500 uk, 2025 – South East – Commercial litigation: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx.
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