Fielding ‘one of the best litigation departments in the City’, Travers Smith LLP has a broad practice covering investigations, corporate fraud, asset tracing and urgent relief. A large proportion of the firm’s disputes contain cross-border features and involve working alongside lawyers in other jurisdictions. In 2024, experienced commercial litigator Heather Gagen was appointed as dispute resolution department head; Rob Fell’s recent experience includes representing a commercial bank facing alleged conspiracy claims; and investigations group co-head Toby Robinson assists clients with FCA enforcement actions. The group further comprises Huw Jenkin, whose wide-ranging commercial disputes practice encompasses civil fraud-related cases; civil fraud and asset tracing specialist Stephanie Lee; ‘first-class litigator’ Jan-Jaap Baer; and Alexa Day, who acts in high-value and multi-jurisdictional disputes. The next line of key practitioners includes Polly Richard and Alice Childs, who both assist with matters involving fraud allegations, while John Lee is a ’first-rate lawyer in the crypto area’.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘A truly outstanding group, handling mammoth cases with real flair and a very special firm culture.’

  • ‘This is one of the best litigation departments in the City. Brilliant lawyers with technical expertise and commercial nous - always delivering the best for their clients.’

  • ‘Travers Smith regularly punch well above their weight. They regularly feature in the very largest litigation, going head to head with Magic Circle firms. They have a stellar reputation - a class outfit.’

  • ‘Rob Fell is a commanding, confidence-inspiring team leader and superb with clients.'

  • ‘Toby Robinson is a very safe pair of hands indeed.’
  • ‘John Lee is a first-rate lawyer in the crypto area.’
  • ‘Jan-Jaap Baer is a first-class litigator - tremendously smart and very detailed in his thinking.’
  • ‘Stephanie Lee is superb - incisive and effective.’

Key clients

  • Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Work highlights

  • Acting for Hewlett Packard Enterprise in relation to $4bn fraud claims, with parallel criminal proceedings in the US (arising out of the 2011 $11bn acquisition of Autonomy Corporation).
  • Acting for a foreign exchange broker in relation to fraud allegations brought against it.
  • Defending section 90 FSMA securities claims which were brought by institutional investors against Glencore (and certain of its former officers) in relation to alleged misstatements and omissions in Glencore’s IPO prospectus.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Heather Gagen

Other key lawyers

Rob Fell, Toby Robinson, Huw Jenkin, Stephanie Lee, Jan-Jaap Baer, Alexa Day, Polly Richard, Alice Childs, John Lee