Fraud: civil Tier 3

King & Spalding LLP has an ‘ability to execute multijurisdictional matters extremely efficiently’ and is active in high-stakes litigation representing large corporations. The firm handles fraud-related disputes before courts and arbitral tribunals for domestic and international clients. Experienced commercial litigator Sarah Walker co-leads the large team with Thomas Sprange QC, who handles a range of cross-border fraud cases.

International arbitration Tier 3

King & Spalding LLP's London international arbitration practice has a solid reputation for handling high-stakes, complex, high-value arbitrations, including ground-breaking investor-state cases. Highly rated for its advocacy prowess, the London group is co-led by Thomas Sprange QC, who has an extensive track record in large-value arbitrations; and John Savage QC, who has over 25 years' experience in large-scale international arbitrations. Ruth Byrne also has notable arbitration credentials, Egishe Dzhazoyan has 'inexhaustible knowledge of Russian and CIS businesses', and Sajid Ahmed specialises in international arbitration and trade matters. Former partner Stuart Isaacs QC departed for Wilberforce Chambers in 2020.

Oil and gas Tier 3

At King & Spalding LLP, the oil and gas practice delivers a ‘first class’ service to clients, with it being strong in M&A and investment transactions, project development work and international arbitration. The group, which is jointly led by Martin Hunt and Nikhil Markanday, also excels in large project finance transactions, where it acts for lenders and sponsors. LNG work is a notable driver of activity; in one highlight, the team recently acted for Total on its $50bn Mozambique LNG project. Sajid Ahmed is another name to note.

Commercial litigation: premium Tier 4

King & Spalding LLP's 'smart and savvy' commercial litigation practice is praised for its 'exceptional' expertise and 'wealth of experience', particularly in cross-border disputes involving the US and the Middle East. Sarah Walker and Thomas Sprange QC jointly lead the team, which includes Ruth Byrne , who is popular among energy and life sciences sector clients. Recently promoted partner and energy dispute expert Ben Williams relocated to the firm's Dubai office.

Construction: contentious Tier 4

Buoyed by the hiring of Shareena Edmonds and Vincent Rowan from Reed Smith LLP in January 2021, King & Spalding LLP offers significant international arbitration expertise. It represents a large number of household-name construction clients, using its international office base to connect across jurisdictions. Edmonds and Rowan have brought extensive experience in acting in energy and infrastructure disputes to the team, while Andrea Stauber is also recommended for her dispute avoidance work.

Power (including electricity, nuclear and renewables) Tier 4

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

King & Spalding LLP’s London-based team routinely works alongside colleagues in the firm’s US and Middle East offices to handle internal investigations for large companies, as well to provide compliance and due diligence advice on cross-border transactions and multinational business operations. The key figure on the ground in London is Aaron Stephens, ‘the epitome of a trusted adviser’ on matters relating to fraud, tax offences, money laundering and bribery and corruption. Robert Dedman jointly leads the team alongside Stephens. Senior associate Joanna Harris is also recommended for her 'great way with clients'.

Financial services: contentious Tier 5

King & Spalding LLP's special matters and government investigations team handles contentious financial services matters for a variety of global banks and their employees. The team draws heavily on the firm's network in the US to provide solid advice in cross-border representations. Jointly taking the lead are Aaron Stephens and former head of enforcement at the Bank of England Robert Dedman. Senior associate Joanna Harris is also recommended for investigations work.

Financial services: non-contentious/regulatory Tier 6

At King & Spalding LLP, regulatory lawyer sit within the special matters and government investigations practice. The group is predominantly focused on criminal regulatory compliance, often from a transatlantic perspective. The group in London is co-led by Robert Dedman, former head of enforcement at the Bank of England, and Aaron Stephens.

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

King & Spalding LLP's corporate and M&A practice is well regarded by its blue-chip energy and financial institutions client base, whom it routinely represents on cross-border, upper mid-market transactions. Practice head William Charnley is highly experienced in public and private deals, most notably in the financial services sector. Dual-qualified (England and US) Martin Hunt has an expansive international energy offering, with a recent focus on offshore oil and gas instructions in North and West Africa. Krishna Omkar is noted for his emphasis on emerging markets, especially on mandates with a strong Indian aspect.

Employers Tier 7

King & Spalding LLP’s employment team largely offers multinational clients advice on day-to-day issues, including data privacy, regulatory frameworks, post-termination restrictions, senior exits, and the drafting of internal handbooks and employment policies. Jules Quinn heads up the group, which is particularly active in the tech and financial sectors.

Commercial property: investment

King & Spalding LLP caters to a broad client roster, which includes private equity funds and REITs, and is often engaged on investments with cross-border and real estate finance elements.

Singapore > Projects: foreign firms Tier 1

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.