Mr Robert Spano > Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher is valued by clients for providing comprehensive advice on regulations and industry best practices. Joel Harrison co-chairs the privacy, cybersecurity and data innovation practice, leveraging ‘the most extraordinary knowledge of both technology and the law’ to do so. Robert Spano co-chairs the firm’s dedicated AI group. International data transfers, breaches and disputes are all areas of strength.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher‘s ESG team spans expertise in sustainable reporting, transactional support, human capital and corporate tax strategy. Public M&A expert Selina Sagayam co-heads the practice alongside commercial litigation and investigations expert Susy Bullock. The latter has a proven track record in mandates connected to business and human rights issues across the banking sector. Former president of the European Court of Human Rights Robert Spano is well positioned to lead multi-national and cross-border ESG disputes. Solicitor advocate Stephanie Collins is sought out by a range of major corporate clients for advice on compliance with the UK Modern Slavery Act.

Offering strategic counsel on data privacy, IP, and AI regulatory compliance measures, the ‘dedicated and collaborative’ lawyers at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher regularly act for global tech conglomerates in multi-jurisdictional transactions. Robert Spano leads the team, being an expert in regulatory and litigation matters in the field of EU law and digital rights, whilst Joel Harrison co-chairs the firm’s privacy, cybersecurity and data innovation practice group.

The ‘very strong public international law practice’ at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher has notable sector experience in the energy, telecoms, insurance, construction, pharmaceutical and banking sectors. The practice is co-led by international arbitration specialist Cyrus Benson, who is a ‘first-rate lawyer and advocate’; and the ‘outstandingly energetic and tireless’ Penny Madden KC, who has significant expertise in shareholder, telecoms, energy, international trade and insurance disputes. The practice further showcases former President of the European Court of Human Rights, Robert Spano; Piers Plumptre, who has significant investment treaty arbitration experience; and ‘excellent public international law practitioner’ Ceyda Knoebel.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher fields ‘excellent lawyers, who are experienced and accomplished in running large, complex international arbitrations’. The practice has significant experience in disputes in the energy, telecoms, insurance, construction, pharmaceutical and banking sectors. Praised for his ‘ability to navigate complex facts and legal arguments’, Cyrus Benson  routinely acts before commercial and investment treaty tribunals in high stakes matters. Penny Madden KC has particular expertise in shareholder, telecoms, energy, international trade and insurance disputes. The London office also showcases former UK Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer KC, who is a specialist in both international arbitration and commercial litigation. Osma Hudda is an expert in insurance and reinsurance claims, financial services disputes, and conflicts arising out of oil industry divestments and delivery contracts. Other key team members include former President of the European Court of Human Rights Robert Spano, Doug Watson, who conducts arbitrations under a broad range of rules and arbitral institutions, and Piers Plumptre, who has ‘vast amounts of work and new cases’. Other key lawyers are commercial and investment treaty arbitration practitioners Ceyda Knoebel and Stephanie Collins, and Cassie Aprile, who is ‘able to lead and advocate on the most complicated matters’.

Turned to by numerous leading clients, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher‘s cross-practice offering handles a diverse range of high-value, frequently cross-border mandates, spanning corporate transactions, commercial agreements, regulatory reviews, and disputes. Key figures include Joel Harrison, noted for his expertise in tech contracts; Alison Beal, a specialist in cross-border outsourcing; and Robert Spano , who co-chairs the firm’s AI practice group, handling both regulatory and contentious work. Nick Tomlinson is recommended for his transactional pedigree.

The ‘highly experienced and knowledgeable’ team at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher is led by Patrick Doris. The team regularly advises clients such as NGOs, public authorities, and corporates. Described as ‘an outstanding litigator’, Doris is recommended for his experience handling commercial judicial reviews. Robert Spano is another prominent member of the team who has an in-depth understanding of public international law and human rights.