A go-to firm for high-end, often cross-border disputes work, Hogan Lovells International LLP represents its blue-chip clientele in multijurisdictional cases. The life sciences sector is a particular specialism, and the team has also noted a recent increase in cases in the technology and cyber space. Class actions are also a prolific area for the practice, representing various companies in consumer-led disputes. The team of ‘stellar litigators’ boasts extensive court experience at the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court level. ’Superstar litigator‘ Michael Roberts leads the team. Kevin Lloyd receives high praise from clients and is regularly called upon to advise on large-scale bet-the-company disputes. Ivan Shiu has a strong track record of representing clients in the technology sector, boasting particular experience in the data privacy space. With a balanced claimant and defendant practice, Alex Sciannaca regularly handles shareholder and joint venture disputes. Richard Lawton bolsters the team’s international capabilities, representing multinational corporations in cross-border disputes, along with Ardil Salem, who also fields particular expertise in insolvency cases. Dual qualified in New York and England and Wales, Akima Paul Lambert is also a key contact for multijurisdictional disputes, particularly in the banking and finance sector. Peter Fitzgerald joined the team in September 2023.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Kevin Lloyd is a superb senior litigator, with a wealth of experience in handling the highest value and most complex disputes. Excellent judgment, cool headed under pressure and lovely to work with. Ardil Salem is a rising disputes partner with huge energy, charm, acumen and commitment. One to watch. Rebecca Newell is very talented.’
‘They have stellar litigators who are able to drive cases forward in the best way, combining brains and brawn so as to be at the top of the tree. Kevin Lloyd is a class act, and Richard Lawton is another high calibre partner.’
‘Kevin Lloyd is a litigation partner who gets down into the detail of the case so that he can control, guide and advise form a position of detailed knowledge. He keeps a very expert hand on the tiller at all times so that the case drives forward smoothly to the right port. He is in a different class.’
‘Ivan Shiu is enormously impressive. Well informed and commercially astute, he knows instinctively what matters to his client and when. Gracious, unflappable and effortlessly in command. Danny Knowles goes from strength to strength, a shining star in the firm's strong showing at this level.’
‘For big-ticket litigation Hogan Lovells is the best outfit in the city - by a country mile. Their partners have run the biggest litigation seen by the English courts over the past decade; they have great tactical nous and and a remarkable ability to spot the weak spot in their opponents' cases - and then keep their foot on the throat. There is huge strength in depth at counsel and associate level, coupled with an appreciation of the commitment and effort required to succeed at the highest levels. There are other good operators out there, to be sure. But none come close to the Hogan Lovells 'steamroller'. The standard is very high across the board, but here are a few standouts: Richard Lewis: partner (who ran the PrivatBank litigation for the Claimant); extremely bright and quick on the uptake; and a tactical wizard (aggressive by inclination but only where the circumstances allow). Michael Roberts: also remarkably bright, knowledgeable and astute. Jenna Ralfe: junior partner; charming, bright, hard-working, and just downright effective. Alex Hohl: of counsel; one of the brightest solicitors that I've ever worked with. Alex Dowle: senior associate; a great all-rounder; hard-working, personable and grasps the big picture. Reuben Vandercruyssen wise beyond his years, with a remarkable ability to make the complex look straightfoward. Claire Dumbill: quite simply the best associate I've worked with in 20 years at the bar!’
‘Kevin Lloyd is an outstanding senior figure. Akima Paul Lambert and Ivan Shiu are leading figures from the next generation of leading partners.’
‘Michael Roberts is a superstar litigator, with boundless intelligence, legal skill, client handling skill, and leadership qualities. He can lead enormous teams of lawyers with charm and confidence, bringing out the best in everyone. His eye for detail and his own work ethic mean that he is universally respected. Liam Naidoo is a consummate litigation partner, who is clever and careful and strategic. A real up and coming star in the field. Alex Hohl is one of the best associate litigators I have ever come across. His analysis and drafting are second-to-none and he is the associate every partner would want on their team.’
‘Kevin Lloyd is a charming advocate and a great performer who has the ability to simplify complicated ideas and presents cases very capably. He is a seasoned lawyer who knows the law extremely well and is extremely talented. Sarah Sharp is very solid on the law and always provides commercially minded legal advice. She is a meticulous lawyer, who is very detailed when preparing her cases. She is also a very user-friendly lawyer.’
Key clients
- British American Tobacco (BAT) Industries Plc and its subsidiary BTI 2014 LLC (BTI)
- ENRC
- Litasco SA
- Equifax Ltd
- JSC BTA Bank
- Salesforce Inc. and Salesforce (UK) Limited
- YES Bank
- Finalto Group Limited
- Evolution Capital
- Biogen Inc
Work highlights
- Representing BAT/BTI in a complex auditor negligence claim against PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) for $800m, which will proceed to a 9-week trial in the English High Court in 2024.
- Representing ENRC in connection with a range of unprecedented disputes relating to the acquisition of mining interests in the Democratic Republic of Congo and an internal investigation and “self-reporting” process with the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).
- Advised Litasco S.A. on its successful reverse summary judgment application, which resulted in the striking out of around $1.8bn of Palmali's claim against the client.
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Michael Roberts