Mr Richard Garcia-Almendros > Stephenson Harwood > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Stephenson Harwood‘s ‘excellent, collaborative team’ acts for governments and state-owned companies in high-stakes public international law matters. It is additionally well known for its financial sanctions credentials, as well as its Africa practice. The firm is also mandated for investment treaty and investor-state disputes. Kamal Shah is ‘a market leader for Africa and India-related work’; Rovine Chandrasekera works between London and Dubai; Richard Garcia is ‘excellent’; Ben Sigler focuses on the financial and technology sectors; and Sue Millar is sanctions practice head. Charlotte Welsh and Isabelle Wenger are other key team members. Stephen Ashley left the firm in October 2023.

With an active cross-border disputes practice, Stephenson Harwood regularly handles corporate, joint venture and partnership disputes on behalf of international clients. With a strong track record in high-stakes litigation, the team is involved in bet-the-company litigation. Its diverse clientele includes corporations, private equity funds, asset managers and governments, spanning the energy, financial services, shipping aviation, art and real estate industries. Richard Garcia leads the team, noting an increase in disputes related to fund collapse and asset management. Genevieve Quierin is experienced in disputes stemming from M&A, including private equity activity and venture capital investments. Sue Millar’s commercial disputes practice spans shareholder and finance litigation, as well as corporate and private trusts disputes; she also boasts extensive expertise in sanctions. Guy Harper and Chris Pettett are other names to note. Stephen Ashley left the firm in October 2023.

Its pre-eminence in multi-jurisdictional transactions sees Stephenson Harwood advise an international clientele on mis-selling and professional negligence claims, as well as regulatory investigations and restructurings and insolvencies. An expert in financial sanctions, Sue Millar leads the ‘well-respected’ team. Richard Garcia is called upon by a diverse roster of clients, from banks and asset managers, to investors and stakeholders, to sovereign states. Donna Newman boasts an active cross-border litigation practice, advising on disputes involving various financial markets and products. Genevieve Quierin focuses on private equity and payments disputes and Ben Sigler handles fraud and insolvency claims. Alina Neal and Chris Pettett are names to note. Former co-lead Edward Davis has moved to Jenner & Block LLP.