England - London • Dispute resolution
Humphries Kerstetter LLP
Despite its boutique status, the team at Humphries Kerstetter LLP ‘provides the expertise and service levels of a magic circle firm’, acting for high-value corporates, banks, and individuals. Cross-border work is a mainstay of the firm that handles large-scale interchange litigation and professional negligence work. Joanna Pearson has over two decades of experience in complex financial services litigation and regulatory investigations and is head of the department. Also of note is managing partner of the firm James Russell, who is ’excellent and hands-on’. Managing associate Chris Louth joined the team from Rosenblatt in January 2023.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘They are lean and provide an excellent service at a smaller cost.’
‘James Russell is excellent and hands on. Approachable and friendly.’
‘HK provides the expertise and service levels of a magic circle firm whilst retaining the flexibility and client focus of a much smaller firm.’
‘My principal contact is James Russell. He is undoubtedly one of the most able solicitors I have ever worked with. He combines a rigorous and analytic legal mind with a highly commercial approach to achieve great results for his clients.’
- 'HK is very open to collaborations with other firms and is well connected with top silks.'
- 'James Russell is exceptional. Highly competent and extremely knowledgeable He is highly strategic and forward-thinking in his case management.'
Key clients
- Uro Property Holdings S.A.
- J. García Carrión
- Blackmore Bond plc bondholders
- Core Venture Capital Trust plc shareholders
Work highlights
- Represented Uro Property Holdings S.A. in a dispute with BNP Paribas relating to the acceleration of a €1.3bn securitised loan allegedly giving rise to a €250m bond make-whole payment.
- Represented J. García Carrión in a dispute with Goldman Sachs arising out of ultra vires foreign exchange derivative transactions entered into by its former finance director.
- Acting for a group of bondholders to investigate and pursue claims on their behalf arising out of the collapse of Blackmore Bond Plc.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Joanna Pearson