James Sidwell > Gowling WLG > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Catherine Naylor heads the practice in London at Gowling WLG. Naylor is adept at handling multi-jurisdictional cases. The practice draws on the expertise of the firm’s other private wealth practitioners in Singapore and Canada to handle an array of cases with a cross-border dimension. It focuses on all aspects of trust litigation and most of its clients are internationally based. James Sidwell has extensive experience in contentious trusts cases, and Andrew Witts is another key practitioner.

Representing international investment banks, Gowling WLG handles structured finance, restructuring, and fraud disputes. Contentious regulatory matters are another area of expertise, and the team regularly advises on regulatory investigations. Experienced in financial services litigation, practice head James Sidwell also advises on fraud and asset tracing, contentious trusts, and regulatory investigations. ‘Dynamic and sought-after partner‘ Catherine Naylor boasts an established cross-border disputes practice, while Sean Adams represents financial institutions, private equity clients and technology companies in commercial litigation and asset recovery actions. Verity Barker and Sophia Khan are other names to note.

With ‘experience in high-value international cases’, Gowling WLG‘s fraud and asset recovery team specialises in high-profile fraud claims, asset recovery, and anti-corruption work. Fraud and asset recovery team head Catherine Naylor is ‘an excellent leader for complex international cases’; Andrew Witts specialises in fraud and international asset tracing, and has notable expertise in multi-jurisdictional cases; and insolvency litigation expert Jason Freedman focuses on fraud and asset recovery investigations. The practice further includes experienced corporate and financial services litigator James Sidwell; Emily Till, ‘a star in the making’; and Joanna Rhodes, who acts in high-profile asset recovery matters.

Combining ‘legal rigour, collegiate spirit, and real concern for clients’, Gowling WLG has developed a strong reputation advising individuals and regulated firms subject to FCA/PRA supervision and enforcement matters. In addition, it has capability in more niche areas, including advice on contentious fintech mandates. Team head James Sidwell combines ‘great legal knowledge, excellent judgment, and strong analytical skills’. 

‘A go-to firm for mid-tier commercial litigation matters’, Gowling WLG‘s practice is highly experienced in large international and domestic commercial disputes, in particular in the Chancery and Commercial Courts. The team’s core practice areas are post-M&A claims, and shareholder, supply chain, and corporate control and joint venture disputes. It also routinely acts in royalty and termination-related claims. The firm’s sector expertise covers automotive, aerospace, life sciences, financial services, and food and beverage. James Sidwell is ’exactly the person clients want in command of complex litigation‘. Catherine Naylor focuses on complex multi-jurisdictional cases and Andrew Smith‘s caseload encompasses contract terminations, economic torts, legal professional privilege, misfeasance and guarantees. The second line of experienced practitioners includes ‘exceptional litigator’ Tom Cox, a specialist in automotive, aviation, energy and life sciences-related disputes. Verity Barker represents trustees, fiduciaries and multinational companies in negligence actions and asset recovery matters.