Drawing on the firm’s international network, Sidley Austin LLP’s ‘outstanding banking litigation service’ excels in multi-jurisdictional banking litigation. Boasting ’broad and deep experience combined with technical expertise’, Matthew Shankland leads the team. Alastair Hopwood demonstrates prowess in cross-border disputes, with litigation experience at all levels of English courts and in offshore jurisdictions. Promoted to partner in January 2024, Sarah Lainchbury’s broad financial services and banking litigation practice ranges from structured and leveraged finance, derivatives, and security enforcement disputes, to contentious restructurings and insolvencies.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Excellent people and good technical and strategic knowledge.’

  • ‘Matthew Shankland - highly experienced partner. Sarah Lainchbury - new partner: very hardworking and bright.’

  • ‘Sidley has developed an outstanding banking litigation service in London by combining hard work, a focus on client priorities and technical legal expertise.’

  • ‘Matthew Shankland provides fantastic leadership, deploying his broad and deep experience combined with technical expertise: this is who you want managing the most difficult matters.'

  • 'Sarah Lainchbury is a fantastic new addition to the partnership ranks: a real star, with an unrivalled work-ethic and relentless focus on her client's priorities.’

Key clients

  • Genworth Financial, Inc.

Work highlights

  • Representing leading U.S. insurance firm Genworth in a major PPI mis-selling-related litigation worth over £600m.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Matthew Shankland

Other key lawyers

Alastair Hopwood, Sarah Lainchbury