Dan Smith > Stephenson Harwood > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Stephenson Harwood
1 FINSBURY CIRCUS
LONDON
EC2M 7SH
England

Work Department

Commercial litigation

Position

Dan advises on high-stakes commercial disputes and investigations, particularly in the areas of investment and finance, complex commercial litigation, contentious restructurings and insolvencies, and bribery and corruption. Dan develops comprehensive dispute strategies early in line with clients’ business objectives, and achieving those objectives through litigation or alternative dispute resolution.

Dan regularly represents financial institutions, corporates, issuers, banks, bondholders, lenders, shareholders, investors, trustees, and related parties in major cross-border disputes, with a focus on High Court litigation, and on contentious regulatory and enforcement matters.

Dan also advises clients outside litigation, on risk prevention strategies, pre-dispute counselling and analysis, and internal and external investigations into fraud and other wrongdoing.

Dan has advised clients on a large range of cross-border disputes involving nearly two dozen jurisdictions throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Dan is adept at formulating litigation and dispute-resolution strategies involving disputes in multiple jurisdictions.

Dan is a member of the LSLA and Transparency International, and has written numerous articles and commentary on leading cases and trends in litigation.  He also co-authored the UK section of the inaugural Insolvency Litigation guide published by Lexology’s Getting The Deal Through.

Lawyer Rankings

London > Dispute resolution > Group litigation: Claimant

Stephenson Harwood fields a ‘excellent team with a relentless focus on getting clients results’, with particular strength in private enforcement and group litigation. Its client roster consists of hotel groups, leading retailers and universities, and technology companies. The practice is led by Genevieve Quierin, described as a ‘brilliant litigator, a savvy strategist and a superb communicator‘. The team continues to expand, with the arrival of Dan Smith from Latham & Watkins in June 2022, Michael Bywell from Hausfeld & Co LLP in January 2023, and Peter Dalton from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP in February 2023. Ben Sigler sustains a focus on the financial and technology sectors.

London > Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: premium

The widely lauded team at Stephenson Harwood is described as ‘really experienced and technically excellent’ by one client, with the practice fielding particular strength in cross-border disputes. Large corporate, joint venture, and partnership disputes across the energy, financial services, shipping, aviation, and real estate sectors are mainstays of the practice. At leadership level, ‘knowledgeable’ head of team Richard Garcia routinely ‘seeks to go the extra miles for his clients’. ‘Force of nature’ Sue Millar is a key name to note, as are ‘absolute star’ Genevieve Quierin and ‘extremely clever and astute’ Stephen Ashley, with Millar recognised for her impressive sanctions-related expertise. The team has grown significantly with the arrival with Dan Smith from Latham & Watkins in June 2022, Michael Bywell from Hausfeld & Co LLP in January 2023, and Peter Dalton from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP in February 2023.

Comparative Guides

United Kingdom: Enforcement of Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters September 2023 This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Enforcement of Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters laws and regulations applicable in United Kingdom.