Laurence Harris > Cooley (UK) LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Cooley (UK) LLP‘s London team acts on civil fraud matters involving corruption, investigations, asset recovery actions, and insurance-related cases. In addition to fielding experts in England and Wales-related matters, the practice has significant cross-border experience in cases involving Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. It is particularly well known for assisting governmental bodies with civil fraud issues. James Maton, Laurence Harris and Henry Stewart all act in fraud and asset recovery cases, while Sascha Grimm assists with securing worldwide freezing orders.

The team in Cooley (UK) LLP‘s London office covers a wide range of public international law matters, including investment treaty and international trade disputes, advisory work, and Law of the Sea advice to coastal states. The group also advises on state responsibility in areas of high regional contention, and maintains a robust international asset recovery practice. Among the firm’s experienced practitioners, James Maton‘s track record includes obtaining successful outcomes for both corporate and government clients in complex public international law disputes; commercial, public law, cross-border fraud, and asset-tracing specialist Laurence Harris is well known for advising on government asset recovery programmes; and Henry Stewart‘s litigation caseload encompasses asset recovery and anti-corruption matters. The department further comprises ‘standout team player’ and Law of the Sea expert John Brown, an adviser on maritime boundary delimitation issues, including freedom of navigation matters; and Juan Nascimbene, who is focused on international treaty arbitration, public international law and international economic law.

Cooley (UK) LLP‘s range of work covers oil and gas exploration, licensing rights in the Middle East, and technology licensing disputes in the life sciences sector. It also assists with challenges to the appointments of arbitrators or their awards. Arriving from Jenner & Block LLP in October 2023, Charlie Lightfoot, who is ‘undoubtedly one of the best lawyers around’, chairs the firm’s international arbitration practice, while James Maton heads the firm’s UK disputes offering. Henry Stewart and Laurence Harris are both active in arbitrations.