A ‘definite choice’ for major international arbitration, Akin‘s London office leverages the firm’s sector expertise in energy, technology and infrastructure. Worldwide international arbitration practice head Justin Williams is an energy disputes specialist, while Kambiz Larizadeh is ’a great arbitration practitioner’. The department further includes Jenny Arlington, whose international disputes work focuses on Russia, CIS, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and the Middle East, and Conor Mc Stravick, who handles multi-jurisdictional commercial arbitrations under a range of governing laws and arbitral rules.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Simply the best!’

  • ‘This team has it all - knowledge, experience, pragmatism and creativity, and on top of that they are very nice to communicate with and they have a healthy sense of humour.’

  • ‘Akin's team is very experienced and intelligent. They are able to conduct a case with excellence.’

  • ‘Should anybody ever need international arbitration lawyers, Akin is a definite choice.’

  • ‘Justin Williams is impressive, both in terms of knowledge and practice, as well as in terms of adapting to the case. He dives directly into the core of the issue and is highly skilled at anticipating problems and preventing them.’

  • ‘Kambiz Larizadeh is a great arbitration practitioner. Collegiate and professional.’

  • ‘Excellent team around Kambiz Larizadeh, including Conor Mc Stravick who is a very hardworking, dedicated and smart lawyer.’

  • ‘Conor Mc Stravick stands out with his sharp legal mind and team-player capabilities.’

Key clients

  • Dommo Energia
  • Carlyle
  • Bridgestone
  • Vitol Group
  • Apollo
  • Nexperia
  • Seadrill
  • Neste Oil
  • Celsius Network

Work highlights

  • Acting for a South American oil company in a $1.3bn ICC arbitration concerning a disputed farm-out.
  • Acting for a European oil and gas company in bringing a $1bn ICC arbitration against an EU member state.
  • Acting in a multibillion-dollar German law ICC arbitration, which concerns a shareholder dispute over the potential IPO of a European oil and gas company.

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.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Justin Williams

Other key lawyers

Kambiz Larizadeh, Jenny Arlington, Conor Mc Stravick