Branch Austin McCormick LLP

Managing Partner | Head of Dispute Resolution

The team at Branch Austin LLP deal with a wide range of commercial disputes both nationally and internationally often involving breach of contract claims or breach of fiduciary duties. Hal Branch heads the team with over 30 years of experience and specialises in high value cross border disputes and complex financial claims in addition to director and shareholder disputes. The team has been recently further strengthen by Joe McCormick and  Tatyana Talyanskaya joining from Rosenblatts as partners.

Hal advises international and domestic clients, both corporates and individuals, in complex disputes. Those disputes are resolved either by litigation, arbitration or alternative dispute resolution. The areas of work of particular interest and expertise include cross border litigation in contractual disputes often involving fraud and issues arising from sanctions and unexplained wealth orders. Hal has extensive knowledge of directors’ duties and of shareholder disputes often requiring urgent applications to the Court.

In addition, Hal’s practice includes :

representing clients in criminal proceedings, in particular advising corporate clients and senior management on financial crime and fraud matters, as well as regulatory investigations. family work with particular emphasis on the resolution of complex financial issues (both for married couples and unmarried couples) as well as dealing with the arrangements for children following the breakdown of a relationship. Hal also regularly advises on pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements. and in respect of contested Wills and claims under the Inheritance (Family and Dependants) Act 1975. acting for claimants in defamation cases.

By reason of the complex and challenging points of law that have arisen Hal has frequently represented clients in the Court of Appeal and been part of creating new case law as a result. Hal’s approach is always to look after his clients’ best interests, while offering supportive and constructive advice as to the best available strategy, taking matters to trial when necessary.

English

Piano, travel and the relentless garden