The Legal 500

London: Dispute resolution

International arbitration

Within: Leading individuals

Raid Abu-Manneh - Mayer Brown International LLP

Within: International arbitration

Mayer Brown International LLP's 'hugely experienced team' is widely recognised for its experience in international arbitrations in the construction sector, but the practice also advises clients in the  hotel and leisure, food, banking and finance, and manufacturing industries. Recent work includes acting for Fouad Alghanim & Sons in an ICSID arbitration against the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, which was based on the bilateral investment treaty between Kuwait and Jordan. Raid Abu-Manneh is 'experienced, creative and liked by clients'. The other key advisers are Mark Stefanini, Kwadwo Sarkodie, Miles Robinson and Tom Duncan, while the notable senior associates are Rachael O’Grady, who 'develops an impressive understanding of clients' business', and Joseph Otoo.

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London: Finance

Emerging markets

Within: Emerging markets

Mayer Brown International LLP has 'deep knowledge in international construction law and FIDIC Contracts, and a lot of experience with international contracts and dispute resolution'. One client remarks that it is 'very responsive and provides timely advice, and the depth of the team is enhanced by the fact that it has highly-qualified lawyers working in both the UK and the US'. The firm has a strong mining practice that frequently handles complex deals in emerging markets, but it also prominent in transactions in the CEE region and Africa. The firm's structured finance and capital markets practices are also highly regarded and frequently handle matters in Turkey and the Middle East. Debt capital markets partner James Taylor recently advised Vakifbank on a $900m exchange offer for outstanding Tier 2 bonds. This was the first exchange offer ever initiated by a Turkish financial institution. Banking and finance partner and leading light Ian Coles is an expert on mining transactions. He acted for Société Générale, Investec and Ohridska Banka in the $75m financing of a lead and zinc mine in Macedonia. Rachel Speight is another mining specialist and her recent work included major projects in Latin America. Also recommended are infrastructure partner Tom Eldridge  and Raid Abu-Manneh, who is 'a brilliant attorney - his skills in analysing technically complex matters are superb'. The firm's rising stars include Doye Balogun and Danuta De Vries. Trevor Wood joined Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP.

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London: Real estate

Construction

Within: Construction

Mayer Brown International LLP has ‘deep knowledge of international construction law and FIDIC Contracts, and a lot of experience with international contracts and dispute resolution.’ Michael Regan heads the contentious team, and Chris Fellowes heads the non-contentious team. Sally Davies is ‘exceptionally good both from a legal and practical perspective’ and jointly leads the construction and engineering professional indemnity team. Jonathan Hosie’s ‘expertise rivals anyone within the industry’, and Kwadwo Sarkodie is ‘a machine: his work ethic is second to none.’ Hosie and Fellowes lead on all of Wates' main contract dispute work. Tom Duncan continues to advise Costain and its insurers on a number of issues which have arisen at 3 microbiological treatment plants and 4 IVC plants in Manchester; and acts as claims and advisory counsel to a joint venture of SSE, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and SDIC Power as the developer of a £2.6bn offshore wind farm in the Moray Firth. Raid Abu-Manneh is ‘a brilliant attorney’, particularly for international arbitration, and senior associate James Morris is ‘very strong and exceedingly organised.’ Other clients include QBE, Zurich, SSE, Galliford Try, Kier, Costain, Panama Canal Authority, Hyundai Corporation, British Land, and Randgold Resources.

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