Working in tandem with the firm’s finance, financial services and markets, and derivatives and structured products teams, Travers Smith LLP‘s banking and financial markets disputes practice advises an array of financial institutions, including banks, brokers, and fund managers. Rob Fell focuses on disputes within the financial services sector, representing investment and clearing banks and other finance clients. Alice Childs is experienced in multi-jurisdictional disputes, acting for foreign financial institutions and participating in cross-border litigation. Stephanie Lee is another key member of the team and John Lee is praised by clients for his ’very high level of technical rigour’.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Deep technical expertise and an ability to get the job done, no matter how big.’
'Under the leadership of the new head of disputes, Heather Gagen, the Banking litigation team thrives. Rob Fell, Stephanie Lee, and Huw Jenkin consistently deliver outstanding results for their clients. Their ability to collaborate seamlessly, leverage their respective strengths, and devise innovative legal strategies sets them apart from their competitors.'
‘Rob Fell - Partner - a natural leader, with excellent client skills. Heather Gagen - Partner - now head of the practice, a highly intelligent and empathetic lawyer, with unlimited energy and an expert communicator.’
‘Travers field a very strong banking litigation team, with a high level of technical ability and commercial acumen. We have been very impressed by the team's quality, depth and ability to deal with complex and fast-moving litigation proceedings. They are also great to deal with on a personal level and ease the burden on in-house counsel. It is very helpful that they are not conflicted and can act against major financial institutions.’
'Rob Fell is the senior partner on the matter. He has excellent commercial and strategic sense and brings great value to the team.'
'John Lee is the more junior partner and brings a very high level of technical rigour to the case; he can really engage with the detail and is clearly highly intellectual.'
‘Lovely people to work with - perfect balance of clever and hard working but with great judgement.’
‘Rob Fell (partner), Alice Childs (partner) and Natalie Puddicombe - all excellent in their own right.’
Key clients
- Sadeq Sayeed
- Nomura International plc
- Macquarie
- Tulip Trading Limited
Work highlights
- Advising the former CEO of Nomura International plc in relation to (i) criminal proceedings brought in Italy against him, the Italian Bank Monte dei Paschi di Siena, Nomura, Deutsche Bank, and certain other individuals from the three banks for false accounting, market manipulation and obstruction of a regulator in respect of complex derivative trades entered into between Nomura International plc and Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena in 2009; and (ii) regulatory proceedings that have been brought in Italy in relation to the same derivative trades.
- Advising Nomura on its application to the EU General Court for annulment of the European Commission's Decision finding anti-competitive behaviour in the primary and secondary European Government Bond markets.
- Acted for Tulip Trading Limited in its claim seeking to recover its access to and control of bitcoin, which it claims to own in two addresses on the blockchain, the private keys to which it claims were stolen in a hack.
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