Humphries Kerstetter LLP

Kristopher Kerstetter

Kristopher is the Senior Partner of the firm. He is an international disputes lawyer who is qualified in both the US and England & Wales. He is a Solicitor-Advocate with rights to appear in all Higher Courts (Civil) of England & Wales. Kristopher has very broad litigation and arbitration experience with an emphasis on complex disputes with an international dimension. He has particular expertise in international arbitration including the settlement of international investment disputes. He has handled arbitrations under most of the leading sets of international arbitration rules, including ICC, LCIA, ICSID, UNCITRAL and SCC and acted in high profile international disputes in the High Court of England & Wales and the US federal courts. Kristopher has worked closely with clients in many commercial sectors including energy, telecommunications, financial services, pharmaceuticals, oil & gas, media, insurance and industrial projects. He also has experience acting both for and in opposition to sovereign states. He is often called upon to provide strategic advice in anticipation or in lieu of formal proceedings. Kristopher also conducts internal investigations and provides advice for purposes of compliance with international anti-corruption laws as well as representing clients before associated regulators. He has acted pro bono for asylum seekers from countries with oppressive regimes. He has authored numerous publications, been quoted in the legal press and given seminars and training sessions on international arbitration and anti-corruption issues.

James Russell

James is the Managing Partner of the firm. He has over 18 years experience of contentious commercial practice. He has particular experience of complex financial disputes involving company law issues and breaches of fiduciary duty (in particular involving solicitors, directors and accountants). He is also experienced in insolvency litigation, civil fraud and claims relating to failed investment schemes. He has an interest in professional regulation and jointly advised (together with partner Toby Starr) the All Party Parliamentary Group on Fair Business Banking in relation to proposed reforms to insolvency regulation. James has appeared as advocate in the Commercial Court in London, including against KCs, and has led multi-million pound claims in the City and the Channel Islands. He has also appeared in the Business and Property Courts (Insolvency List) and successfully acted as the lead trial advocate in arbitral proceedings. His current and recent cases include the largest claim brought against Visa and Mastercard in relation to unlawful interchange fees, a high profile FX hedging dispute between Goldman Sachs and one of the world's largest wine producers, a multi-million pound dispute with bondholders in relation to the acceleration of a €1.3 billion secured loan and the representation of shareholders in the high profile Core VCT liquidation in which claims for breach of duty are being pursued against the former managers and liquidators of a publicly listed venture capital trust