Further to the May 2024 merger between Allen & Overy LLP and Shearman & Sterling, A&O Shearman is ‘at the top of its game in arbitration-related matters’. The combined London practice, which handles both commercial and investor-state arbitrations, has significant energy disputes expertise, particularly in relation to gas price arbitrations. It also acts in arbitrations concerning banking, finance and complex financial products, as well as disputes over IP, TMT, infrastructure and construction projects, and joint venture, M&A and shareholder issues. Mark Levy KC is a ’very able advocate’, who maintains an extensive gas price arbitration practice. David Herlihy focuses on international commercial and investment treaty arbitrations and Daniel Garton, a September 2023 hire from White & Case LLP, acts in disputes under the ICC, LCIA, DIFC-LCIA, SIAC and UNCITRAL rules. James Freeman is ‘a super-bright, excellent strategist’, and Matthew Hodgson and Guled Yusuf both specialise in international commercial and investment treaty arbitrations. The practice further includes construction and infrastructure disputes expert Sunil Mawkin and Katrina Limond, who has broad commercial arbitration experience. From the Shearman side, the recent merger also brought over global co-head of international arbitration Alex Bevan, who is particularly focused on the Middle East, and experienced arbitration practitioner Matthew Skinner.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The quality of work and attention is second to none, as is the proactive approach to problem solving. The arbitration team has a first-class reputation internationally. That reputation is richly deserved. They have a pipeline of talented juniors and excellent partners.’
‘What marks the team out is the uniformly high quality of its team, from trainee to partner. They know the law, the procedure and the technical aspects that form the subject matter of the dispute. They are the real deal.’
Key clients
- International Finance Corporation
- BG (part of Royal Dutch Shell Group)
Work highlights
- Representing BG and Reliance Industries in London-seated arbitrations against the Government of India (UNCITRAL rules), in relation to two Indian-law governed production sharing contracts.
- Representing OHL Internacional and Contrack (Cyprus), as respondents, in an ICC arbitration in London, which was initiated by the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, concerning the development of a world-class medical facility in the Middle East.