Fraud: civil Tier 3

King & Spalding LLP's 'thorough and diligent' practice utilises its roster of advocates to represent clients, including large corporates, in complex international fraud disputes. Thomas Sprange QC regularly acts as counsel in proceedings before the High Court. In an ongoing case, he is representing Motorolla in a $3bn fraud case against the Uzan family, which currently involves securing the recovery of assets across the world. Sarah Walker has over 25 years of experience in commercial litigation, encompassing major cross-border fraud disputes.

International arbitration Tier 3

King & Spalding LLP's London practice 'excels in international arbitration' and fields a large team, which frequently conducts its own advocacy; has a  large portfolio of complex, high-value arbitrations; and represents high-profile repeat clients including many of the world’s largest and well-known corporations and investor-state clients. The London office houses three silks: Thomas Sprange QC, who has served as counsel or arbitrator in over 150 international arbitrations; corporate, construction, energy and investment disputes expert Stuart Isaacs QC; and John Savage QC. At partner level, Egishe Dzhazoyan is an investor-state arbitration specialist; and Ruth Byrne is particularly focused on energy matters, as well as being increasingly active in life sciences-related disputes.

Oil and gas Tier 3

King & Spalding LLP acts for leading sponsors, lenders and government clients with notable depth in M&A, corporate and project development work in the upstream oil and gas sector. The practice also fields experts in the LNG sector, with notable expertise in handling LNG export and import projects in Europe, Africa and further afield. Martin Hunt and Nikhil Markanday are the key figures in the London office and are supported by an extensive international network of energy specialists across multiple jurisdictions.

Commercial litigation: premium Tier 4

King & Spalding LLP's 'superb' trial and global disputes team handles corporate and commercial disputes for an impressive roster of domestic and international clients. The 'fantastic' Sarah Walker has a breadth of expertise covering financial services, aviation, IT, communications and energy sector issues, and jointly leads the team alongside experienced litigator Thomas Sprange QC. The team is known for its expertise in multijurisdictional disputes and is 'excellent at giving real-time advice to evolving situations without regard to differing time zones across the world; Egishe Dzhazoyan frequently handles disputes for clients based in Russia and the CIS region, while recently promoted partner and energy sector expert Ben Williams has particular experience in disputes in the Middle East. 'Exceptional litigator' Ruth Byrne is popular among multinational corporates.

Energy and infrastructure Tier 4

With a strong international presence, King & Spalding LLP is actively involved in high-profile energy infrastructure projects,  and market-first oil and gas M&A and investment transactions, such as advising the private equity firm, SigmaBleyzer, on the $250m  fund to invest in upstream oil & gas projects in the Ukraine. Martin Hunt and Nikhil Markanday are the leading transactional and project finance specialists, supported by a sizeable disputes team led by Thomas K. Sprange QC and John Savage QC.

Regulatory investigations and corporate crime (advice to corporates) Tier 4

King & Spalding LLP advises multinational corporations on cross-border investigations, financial and economic crime, fraud litigation and compliance matters. Areas of focus include anti-bribery, anti-money laundering, export controls and sanctions. The team is headed by dual US and UK qualified Aaron Stephens and Robert Dedman. Former co-head of team Gareth Rees QC left for Morrison & Foerster LLP.

Financial services: contentious Tier 5

King & Spalding LLP acts across a range of investigations by regulators, with particular expertise in the UK and US . Aaron Stephens represents financial services clients in contentious regulatory cases involving  the FCA, PRA and SFO, including investigations, enforcement and cross border matters. He co-leads the team with Robert Dedman, who is a former head of enforcement at the Bank of England and PRA. Angela Hayes left for TLT in 2019 and Gareth Rees departed for Morrison & Foerster LLP in 2020.

Employers Tier 6

King & Spalding LLP's employment practice is known for its specialist advice to multinational corporates (especially US-based companies with extensive European operations) on cross-border employment projects. It excels in senior-level investigations, and in dealing with clients in the tech and financial sectors and with PLCs. Practice head Jules Quinn has particular experience advising on international project management; she works alongside counsel Kim Roberts.

Financial services: non-contentious/regulatory Tier 6

King & Spalding LLP 's team includes UK-based dual qualified practitioners who are experienced in a range of non-contentious regulatory matters. The firm can also draw on the expertise of its strong US practice. Aaron Stephens has experience representing financial services sector clients across non-contentious and contentious regulatory matters involving the FCA, PRA, SFO and other agencies. He co-leads the team with Robert Dedman, who represents clients in regulatory and enforcement advisory matters.

M&A: upper mid-market and premium deals, £500m+ Tier 6

King & Spalding LLP 's compact but capable City transactional team has established itself as a key adviser to large blue-chip corporates on cross-border public and private M&A. Its London practice is best known in the energy and financial institutions sectors and is complemented by a strong private equity team. William Charnley  leads the department and has a particular specialism advising financial institutions. Martin Hunt  is a key name on the energy side and is dual qualified in New York, Texas and England and Wales. Partner Ilan Kotkis left for Seddons in summer 2020.

Singapore > Projects: foreign firms Tier 2

King & Spalding LLP's projects practice focuses on energy projects, across the sectors of renewables, power, and oil and gas. The team's oil and gas work covers upstream, midstream and downstream developments, and in addition it is increasingly active in LNG work. The practice is led by Kelly Malone, who focuses on power projects, Richard Nelson, who leads on LNG work, Merrick White, and Simon Cowled. White's practice includes LNG, oil and gas, and power work, while Cowled specialises in M&A transactions related to projects. Lachlan Clancy joined from Shearman & Sterling LLP while Anthony Patten has moved in the opposite direction.

India > Foreign firms Tier 4

King & Spalding LLP's India-related capabilities are not confined to one discipline; instead, the team covers a range of verticles, acting in matters ranging from corporate and M&A to private equity, finance, dispute resolution, and projects. With India-based companies at the core of the group's client base, the practice is particularly noted in the energy space. Rahul Patel (Atlanta) oversees the India group, and primarily focuses on M&A transactions. Singapore-based Andrew Brereton, whose experience in complex financing arrangements relating to India spans more than 20 years, has been particularly active advising on clean energy financing matters. High-stakes arbitration proceedings are notable areas of practice for Thomas K. Sprange QC and Sajid Ahmed in the London office.