Commercial litigation: premium

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton

Client Satisfaction

Adept at handling commercial disputes across multiple jurisdictions, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton represents a clientele of global corporations and financial institutions. Practice head James Norris-Jones boasts an active cross-border litigation practice. Jonathan Kelly represents a diverse range of clients, from global corporations to investment houses and sovereign states, in multijurisdictional commercial disputes. James Brady-Banzet is a further key contact. Naomi Tarawali is ‘incredibly competent’ in joint venture and post-transactional disputes, while Paul Stuart, who was promoted to partner in January 2024, focuses on competition litigation.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The firm's approach to litigation ensures the very best service is received by the client. The team works as one cohesive unit, but each member is in themselves an expert at what they do and delivers at a high level individually.’
‘James Norris-Jones provides commercial and insightful advice. Leads his team efficiently and expertly through complex litigation. Naomi Tarawali combines intellectual ability and commercial awareness.’
‘James Norris-Jones combines a forensic and unrelenting approach to a case, with probably the best customer engagement around.’
‘What stands out most for me about Clearys is the quality across the board. I do not recall working with anyone there who was not, at least, very competent. That said, a few names stand out: James Brady is a lovely man who is seriously intelligent, works hard and has a great feel for how a claim will play out in court. Naomi Tarawali is one of those people who is incredibly competent at everything she does. And really nice too! Rohan Mandumula is not very senior, but you'd never know. A future partner and star, I'm sure.’
‘Paul Stuart - fine balance of the commercial and the legal combined with strong negotiation skills and a strategic approach.’
‘James Norris-Jones is one of the finest litigators in London.’
‘James Norris-Jones for his calm and steady approach, balanced judgment, honest assessments, strategic oversight, team management, and management of outside counsel. In years past I have worked with Jonathan Kelly, who is stellar in providing practical advice in high stakes commercial disputes.'

Key clients

“K” Line
LG Display
Amazon
Sanjay Chandi and Prashant Manek
Idemia France SAS
Entain
Vauxhall Motors Limited
GHF Fund (formerly Abraaj Growth Markets Health Fund)
LivaNova PLC
Labrador Marine Corporation
Societe Africaine de Raffinage (SAR)

Work highlights

Representing Amazon in its defence of proposed collective proceedings launched in July 2023 in the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
Representing Vauxhall Motors Limited in its defence of group litigation brought by around 160,000 claimants relating to diesel vehicles emissions.
Representing GHF Fund in connection with claims (worth in excess of $300m) concerning the collapse of private equity group Abraaj, following a major fraud.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

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