The Legal 500

Work Department

Financial disputes.

Position

Head of financial disputes specialising in investment banking disputes, particularly in the capital markets and arising from structured finance, derivatives and fund management. Acts primarily for institutional investors (continental/foreign banks and financial institutions, hedge funds, pension funds and investment vehicles for eg high-net-worth individuals) often in dispute with the largest investment banks and arrangers. Significant cases: JPMorgan Chase v Springwell Navigation Corporation - acting for the investor in a $500m claim involving allegations of mis-selling, negligent advice and misrepresentation relating to emerging markets securities; advising one of the largest financial institutions in Germany in claims arising from the ratings downgrade of a Swap Counterparty and contractual interpretation in relation to a synthetic CDO; advising one of Europe's largest insurers in relation to claims for rectification of documentation for a synthetic CDO; advised a large Turkish corporation on a $225m dispute with an investment bank relating to equity options; acted for a large hedge fund in a $25m dispute with an investment bank relating to a complex swap trade; advised Caja Segovia (a Spanish savings bank) on a £12m dispute with UBS Limited arising from a structured yield curve deposit agreement; acted for several substantial pension funds and their trustees in claims relating to the alleged mis-management of pension fund bond and equity portfolios by mandated external asset managers in the 1990s; acted for a group of investors in a claim against a major investment bank arising from losses sustained on the leveraged purchase of a series of structured note products; acted for a US bank in disputes arising from losses incurred in derivatives transactions on the London Metal Exchange, which involved proceedings in England, Italy and the US.

Career

Qualified in 1993 and worked in banking litigation group at Richards Butler. Made a partner in 1999. Co-head of banking litigation at Richards Butler in 2006 and held the same position at Reed Smith following the merger in 2007. Joined Reynolds Porter Chamberlain in December 2009 as head of financial disputes. Co-author of 'Banking Litigation' published by Sweet & Maxwell. Regular contributor to 'Journal of International Banking Law'.

Education

Windsor Boys School; Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge (1989 History (MA Cantab) First Class Honours); College of Law, Guildford (1990 Common Professional Examination; 1991 Law Society Finals (Distinction)).

Leisure

Reading, cinema, walking, Arsenal Football Club.

Practice Areas

Litigation - banking; Litigation - commercial; Professional negligence