Katherine Wakeham
Squire Patton Boggs‘Fierce in its determination to do the very best for clients’, Squire Patton Boggs’ London litigation practice routinely acts in heavyweight Commercial Court cases. Its scope of expertise ranges from commercial, contractual, corporate and shareholder disputes, to banking, shipping, commodities, and ESG litigation. Other specialisms include fraud and asset tracing, enforcements of English awards and judgments, and contentious issues in the sports and entertainment sectors. Stephen Sampson is ‘superb for all aspects of sports-related litigation’ and Chris Webber acts in financial services, corporate and commercial disputes. Christian Toms specialises in corporate and joint venture disputes, civil fraud, and complex financial arrangements and investments. Cross-border disputes practitioner Lucy Webster is an ’absolutely-committed litigator’ and Katie Pritchard acts in international commodity trading and shipping litigation. The department also comprises experienced litigators John Rollason, Ian Debbage and KK Park, along with Henry Goldschmidt, Katherine Wakeham, Katie Smith and Sara Love. Recent growth for the team includes the May 2024 promotion of disputes specialist Michael Davar and Gabriella Martin, who is ‘always determined to find a solution’, to partner and director, respectively.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The SPB commercial outfit is a tight unit of excellent practitioners.’
‘Works particularly well as a team together, with real strength in appropriate task management and delegation to ensure the best person for the best job. Fierce in its determination to do the very best for clients.’
‘Stephen Sampson is superb for all aspects of sports-related litigation. Always calm and reasoned. Excellent availability and user friendly.’
‘Christian Toms - extremely able and relentless in the challenging process of getting the claim funded and moving forwards. Undaunted by highly complex international disputes.’
‘Chris Swart - a seasoned litigator and battle-hardened fighter with great strategic and commercial savvy. Katie Pritchard - indefatigable in her search for the right evidence or the key document. Katie is 100% on the client's side.’
‘Lucy Webster - a modern, super-diligent, absolutely-committed litigator.’
‘Gabriella Martin is an optimist and a fighter. She is always determined to find a solution, even in the most difficult of cases.’
‘Christopher Webber has excellent judgement and gives a lot of time for a partner; and Katherine Wakeham is a very hard worker, and a clear and compelling draftsperson. Highly recommended.’
Key clients
- FC Nantes
- Perform Content Services
- Genuit
- Polypipe
- Project 11
- Sportfive UK Holding
- Sheffield Wednesday FC
- World Academy of Sport
- Independent Wealth Planners UK
- Volta Energy Group Limited
- H&P Advisory
Work highlights
- Acting for Georgi Shulev (a co-founder of crypto lending business Nexo), who was removed from the business in 2019 and is pursuing recognition and recovery of his substantial shareholding in the business and related share of native NEXO cryptocurrency.
- Acting for ADM in the enforcement of a $5m GAFTA arbitration award against Moroccan grain trading company, Grain House International.
Lawyers
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Gabriella Martin
Squire Patton BoggsLeading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Christian Toms
Squire Patton BoggsNext Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Michael Davar
Squire Patton BoggsPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Stephen Sampson