Sophie Lamb > Latham & Watkins > London, England > Lawyer Profile

‘One of the premier international arbitration practices in the London market’, Latham & Watkins‘ London team acts across the range of commercial and investment treaty arbitration, including oil and gas-related disputes over investments, pricing, terminations, post-M&A issues, and the construction of pipelines and LNG vessels. It is also highly experienced in private equity disputes. On the investment arbitration side, the team acts for both investors and respondent states. An expert in oil and gas, energy, construction, shareholder and joint venture disputes, Philip Clifford KC has ‘an encyclopaedic knowledge of international arbitration law and practice‘. Sophie Lamb KC acts throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and the US in arbitrations, under all the principal arbitration rules. The practice also features Charles Claypoole, who represents corporations and states in high-profile matters and ‘excellent lawyer’ Robert Price. Samuel Pape‘s track record includes acting as an advocate in both investment treaty and commercial arbitrations. The next line of experienced practitioners comprises Charles Rae, Stephanie Forrest, Isuru Devendra and Rebecca Angelini. In March 2024, former partner Oliver Browne left the firm.

According to one client, Latham & Watkins is ‘simply the best law firm around when it comes to investment treaty arbitration’. The London team advises on a range of public international law issues, including international boundary law and Law of the Sea disputes, as well as investment treaty and international trade law, sanctions, sovereign immunity, international humanitarian legislation, and human rights law. It also acts for states in major investment treaty arbitrations. The practice is headed by Charles Claypoole, who is ‘one of the London market’s most knowledgeable and experienced public international law practitioners’. Claypoole is particularly focused on investment treaty arbitration, international trade law, and state immunity issues. The team also includes Sophie Lamb KC, who has an enviable track record in successfully representing investors and sovereign states in investment treaty disputes; Robert Price, whose workload encompasses investment treaty arbitrations, international trade, export control law and international trade sanctions; and investment treaty arbitration expert Samuel Pape. Other names to note are Thomas Lane, ‘a star of the future’; and Isuru Devendra, who acts in disputes concerning investment treaties, free trade agreements, national investment laws, and joint venture agreements.

Latham & Watkins‘s far-reaching ESG offering is active across areas including corporate governance, M&A, corporate activism, and energy transition work. The unit is also geared to handle a range of ESG-related disputes. The ‘extraordinary thought leader’ Paul Davies is the key contact in London. He excels in advising on the environmental and ESG aspects of global corporate transactions. Sophie Lamb KC‘s contentious expertise comes to the fore in arbitrations and litigations across areas such as as directors’ duties, reporting risks and public interest litigation. Nicola Higgs is well-placed to assist financial institutions with domestic and cross-border ESG regulatory issues. Michael Green further bolsters the transactional expertise at the firm and also excels in strategic and contentious ESG advice. Anne Mainwaring is well-versed in the ESG Disclosure landscape. James Bee is a further name to note.