We are thrilled to announce that our colleague James Bourne, Managing Director and Co-Head of the firm’s Litigation Communications practice, has been named to PRWeek’s 2026 40 Under 40 list. The annual list recognizes rising leaders across the U.S. public relations and communications industry who are shaping the profession’s future.
“We are incredibly proud of James’s well-deserved recognition,” said Carina Davidson, Chief Executive Officer of H/Advisors – U.S. “His inclusion in PRWeek’s 40 Under 40 list is a well-earned reflection of the judgment and dedication James brings to our clients every day. As the strategic communications discipline continues to drive critical business results during companies’ most high-stakes moments, James represents the next generation of this profession’s executives. His calm leadership and deep expertise at the intersection of reputation, litigation, and corporate risk have made James an invaluable partner to our clients, and this honor speaks to both his individual talent and the caliber of work our team delivers.”
“I’m honored to be recognized by PRWeek and included among such a talented group of communicators. I’m also grateful for my clients and colleagues and for the challenging, impactful work we’ve taken on together,” said James. “I am excited to keep building our litigation communications practice, helping our clients navigate their most consequential challenges, and developing the next generation of counselors who are already shaping this field.”
James joined H/Advisors (then Abernathy MacGregor) in its Los Angeles office in 2013 as an entry-level associate, and over the past 13 years has risen through the firm to become its youngest practice leader, when he was promoted to Managing Director and Co-Head of Litigation Communications in early 2026. In 2016, James became a founding member of the firm’s litigation communications practice, helping build a national team that was recently recognized for the sixth consecutive year by Chambers and Partners as a Leading Communications Firm for Litigation Support and Crisis & Risk Management. He advises companies, Boards, and executives through some of their most consequential moments — including litigation, crisis situations, corporate transactions, governance disputes, activist campaigns, and government investigations. His client roster spans the technology, healthcare, and financial services sectors, among other highly scrutinized industries.
Beyond client service, he is a dedicated mentor and champion of efforts to enhance inclusion in the communications field. At H/Advisors in the U.S., James spearheaded a comprehensive review of workplace policies, contributing to the improvement of parental leave, family support, cultural holidays, volunteerism, and employee well-being, and contributed to the modernization of the firm’s entry-level hiring process to expand pipelines for diverse talent. Outside of work, he is active in Los Angeles’ LGBT community and remains closely tied to his alma mater Colgate University, where he serves on the Class of 2013 Gift Committee, supporting fundraising for the university’s Third Century Plan and No-Loan Initiative. He also previously served as Board Secretary of Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles, supporting free access to arts and culture in MacArthur Park.
Active in the broader industry and community, James was accepted in 2025 into Page Up, the Arthur W. Page Society’s community for senior communications leaders. He has authored and contributed to thought leadership on litigation communications, transaction communications and navigating stakeholder complexity in dynamic policy environments and has shared his perspectives through industry and executive forums.
PRWeek’s 40 Under 40 recognizes standout communications professionals who combine mastery of emerging tools and platforms with the essential tenets of the profession — strategic counsel, thoughtful storytelling, and trusted guidance at the highest levels.