JDG
JDG
  • JDG
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    • JDG
    • Services
      • About us
      • Legal Services
      • Case Studies
      • Team
      • Regulatory Status
    • Contact
GET IN TOUCH
  • JDG
  • Services
    • About us
    • Legal Services
    • Case Studies
    • Team
    • Regulatory Status
  • Contact
GET IN TOUCH

Embedded, elite legal counsel for cyber, tech and critical industries. 


We build and secure value at the legal vanguard.


"JDG's specialists are extraordinarily dedicated; delivering both routine and complex legal work alongside outstanding and modern Board-level guidance. We trust them as our single legal point of contact and embedded counsel." George, CEO 

Legal for the bold and the brave

We are a boutique legal provider offering intelligent legal solutions. 


Our award-winning clients aim to be market leaders. They enlist JDG to advise on complex legal matters and transactions to bring peace of mind. 

Cyber Essentials Certified

Tech Vanguard

Critical Projects
Critical Projects

 

We act as embedded counsel to ambitious technology companies in the UK and internationally. We help them grow, protect what they build, and stay ahead of regulation.


Where we advise:

  • AI governance and regulation
  • Data protection and privacy
  • Cybersecurity and incident response
  • Technology contracts, SaaS and licensing
  • Intellectual property and IP strategy
  • Commercial agreements and partnerships
  • Corporate structuring, investment and M&A support
  • Board governance and risk
  • Regulatory compliance and policy

We learn your priorities first, then give clear, practical advice in evolving environments.

Critical Projects

Critical Projects
Critical Projects

 

The boldest projects need the sharpest counsel. We have advised on major, complex developments in energy, infrastructure and critical industries, from early feasibility through to operation.


Where we advise:

  • Project development and structuring
  • Site acquisition, land rights and consents
  • Project finance and investment
  • Joint ventures and shareholder arrangements
  • Engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts
  • Supply chain and procurement
  • Regulatory approvals and compliance
  • Board governance and risk
  • Claims avoidance and dispute management

We bring deep industry experience to every project. We de-risk complex situations and give clear direction at defining moments.

Realising Value

Why clients choose JDG
Why clients choose JDG

 

We have a strong track record on high-value private equity and investment transactions. We lead deals as your single point of contact and coordinate the wider adviser team, so you get quality work and peace of mind at every stage of the business.


Where we advise:

  • Fundraising, venture capital and growth equity
  • Private equity transactions
  • Mergers and acquisitions, buy-side and sell-side
  • Due diligence and transaction management
  • Shareholder agreements and investor rights
  • Management incentive plans and equity arrangements
  • Debt finance and refinancing
  • Restructuring and reorganisations
  • Exit planning and execution
  • Corporate governance and board support

Our advice is tailored, practical and commercial, and it covers the full corporate and finance spectrum.

Why clients choose JDG

Why clients choose JDG
Why clients choose JDG

 

Integrity, energy and technical skill.
These qualities are why clients instruct us, and why they come back.


An in-house mindset.
We work as part of your team. Because we learn your business and priorities, our advice builds long-term value instead of solving one problem at a time.


Clear, predictable fees.
We offer fixed project fees and monthly or daily retainers, so you know the cost upfront.


Flexible support.
We adapt to what you need. We can act as:

  • Your General Counsel
  • Extra capacity for your in-house legal team
  • A legal project manager
  • A managed legal service

"JDG's counsel are friendly and sharp as a knife; the only legal provider we have worked with offering true leadership and clarity. We turn to them to unlock latent value and they join us as an extension of our team." Harry, CEO

Case Studies

Tech Leaders

Critical Projects
Critical Projects

 

AI and technology

  • Lead legal function. A market-leading UK AI company building custom applications for critical industries appointed JDG to lead its legal function.
  • Specialist GC. A market-leading London AI assistant for Microsoft Excel appointed JDG as its General Counsel.
  • M&A and IPO readiness. A London AI health-tech company instructed JDG to coordinate external counsel on its M&A transaction and IPO preparation.
  • Core company agreements. JDG drafted the core company agreements for an AI ed-tech business.
  • Commercial agreements. JDG advised a leading AI-agent provider for financial services on its commercial agreements.

Digital assets

  • Institutional custody. A digital assets company backed by a global bank instructed JDG on its institutional-grade custody platform and related services.
  • International structuring. An emerging DeFi protocol appointed JDG to lead its international set-up, structuring and regulatory risk mapping, working alongside Tier 1 external counsel.
  • Compliance and restructuring. An international digital assets firm instructed JDG on compliance, corporate matters, its employee incentive scheme and a restructuring.
  • UK product launch. A global digital assets company instructed JDG on UK market aspects of its product launch.

Critical Projects

Critical Projects
Critical Projects

 

Projects and infrastructure

  • Data centre EPC and project finance. A leading UK-based international data centre developer instructed JDG on its global EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) and project finance workstreams.
  • Contractor audit response. A multinational data centre engineering contractor instructed JDG on its response to an audit by a global technology company.
  • General Counsel, critical minerals. A UK critical mineral refinery development appointed JDG as its General Counsel. JDG coordinated multiple specialist workstreams across this energy transition project.
  • Major sporting events. A major UK infrastructure provider instructed JDG on commercial matters for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and the upcoming LA'28 Summer Olympics.
  • International commercial agreements. A leading Austrian global supplier of plant, equipment and automation solutions instructed JDG on its international commercial agreements.
  • GCC market entry. JDG supported a top-tier UK infrastructure client in setting up its operations in a GCC market.

General

Critical Projects
General

 

Private capital and corporate

  • PE firm set-up. A newly established private equity firm instructed JDG on its compliance obligations and people programme.
  • Aviation finance opinion. A global bank instructed JDG to provide a legal opinion on a guarantee for a high-value aviation finance transaction.
  • Restructuring and expansion. A luxury lifestyle membership group instructed JDG on its restructuring, international expansion and incentive scheme.
  • Shareholder agreement. An international market entry consultancy instructed JDG to structure and draft its shareholder agreement.
  • Commercial agreements. JDG is advising a leading EMEA compliance provider on its commercial agreements.
  • Private client project management. A family office appointed JDG to manage a confidential family legal matter.

Pro bono (via LawWorks)

  • Refugee community support. JDG advised a London community hub for Ukrainian refugees on its contracts and liabilities.
  • Education charity. JDG updated a UK education charity's core commercial contract with its client institutions.

Our Team

John Foster

John Foster
John Foster

 

Founder and Managing Director

John founded JDG to provide market-leading technology, project development and investment organisations senior legal leadership, embedded in their teams.


Career
John trained and qualified as a corporate lawyer at Debevoise & Plimpton in London, specialising in private equity and investment funds. He then joine

 

Founder and Managing Director

John founded JDG to provide market-leading technology, project development and investment organisations senior legal leadership, embedded in their teams.


Career
John trained and qualified as a corporate lawyer at Debevoise & Plimpton in London, specialising in private equity and investment funds. He then joined Kirkland & Ellis, continuing to work on high-value fund and transactional matters.


He then moved in-house to a large-scale development project, where he served as a Manager in the legal team, advising on complex commercial and procurement matters.


John has practised law in London, Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia, and regularly advises on cross-border matters.


Credentials

  • BA, University of Oxford (Magdalen College)
  • GDL and LPC, BPP
  • Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional (AIGP), IAPP
  • CS50 for Lawyers, HarvardX
  • Arabic with Distinction, SOAS. John speaks, reads and writes Arabic to a high level.


Speaking
John speaks regularly on data security, digital infrastructure, data sovereignty and AI.


John is based in London.

Wider Team

John Foster
John Foster

 

JDG works with a trusted network of senior lawyers. Trained at leading international law firms, each brings deep technical expertise.


For every matter, we pick the right people for the task. Teams stay small and focused, so clients receive senior attention and consistent quality.


When a matter needs specialist input, we bring in the right 

 

JDG works with a trusted network of senior lawyers. Trained at leading international law firms, each brings deep technical expertise.


For every matter, we pick the right people for the task. Teams stay small and focused, so clients receive senior attention and consistent quality.


When a matter needs specialist input, we bring in the right experts from our wider professional network and manage them for you. You keep a single point of contact throughout.


Every lawyer we work with is chosen for their legal judgement, integrity and commercial approach. That ensures strategic value as well as technical advice.

Message JDG on WhatsApp

JDG

john@jdgfoster.com +44 (0) 203 411 0010

Legal Leadership │ Clarity in Complexity

JDG is the trading name of JDG Foster Limited 

Registered in England and Wales No. 13720422, VAT No: 403 2547 33

Registered Address:  167-169 Great Portland Street London W1W 5PF

Email: John@JDGFoster.com 

Tel: +44 (0) 203 411 0010

JDG is not regulated by the SRA

Copyright © 2022 - 2026 JDG Foster Limited. All Rights Reserved. 

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