Mr John Savage KC > King & Spalding LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

King & Spalding LLP‘s ‘truly exceptional arbitration team in London‘ repeatedly represents large corporations in business-critical disputes. The practice also acts for both claimants and respondents in high-value investment treaty disputes. Its sector specialisms cover energy, media, construction, mining, and oil and gas and the team has notable geographic expertise in relation to Turkey, Asia-Pacific, India and Africa. A ‘hands-on partner who wants to ensure he is over every part of the case’, Thomas Sprange KC is consistently sought out by corporations, sovereign states, financial institutions and individuals for high-stakes disputes. International arbitration expert John Savage KC has particular expertise in corporate, investment and projects disputes in the mining, power, and oil and gas industries. Sajid Ahmed specialises in international arbitration and trade matters; and international commercial and investment disputes practitioner Ruth Byrne KC is ‘very smart’. The practice also comprises Sarah Walker, who represents international clients in commercial disputes, and Simon Maynard, who acts in major international commercial and investment treaty arbitrations. Giorgio Mandelli focuses on international disputes in the energy, natural resources, financial services and aviation sectors. Ben Emmerson CBE KC recently retired from the partnership but continues to work with the firm as a consultant.

King & Spalding LLP acts in inter-state cases involving territorial disputes, privileges, immunities, international criminal law, and human rights law. The London practice also comprises experts in Law of the Sea and investment treaty arbitrations. Thomas Sprange KC acts in complex disputes; Sajid Ahmed and Egishe Dzhazoyan are international arbitration experts; John Savage KC specialises in corporate and investment disputes; Giorgio Mandelli appears before ad hoc and institutional international arbitration tribunals; and Peter Hood‘s practice covers public international law, sanctions, and business and human rights. Ben Emmerson CBE KC retired from the partnership, but remains as consultant to the firm.

With a broad practice that encompasses mandates concerning upstream, midstream, downstream and alternative fuels, the oil and gas team at King & Spalding LLP is a key point of contact for clients seeking assistance with M&A, disputes and project financing. Leadership of the group is shared between four key partners: Thomas Sprange KC, John Savage KC, international arbitration expert, and Martin Hunt, who acts on M&A and joint ventures. Key team changes include the arrival of Peter Schwartz from Paul Hastings LLP in March 2024, and the departures of Nina Howell in April 2024, and Nikhil Markanday in September 2024.

King & Spalding LLP continues to excel at advising significant energy and infrastructure sector clients with ‘superior sector knowledge’ on the full range of complex litigations and disputes. Lauded as ‘the best construction lawyer in the market’, Shareena Edmonds jointly leads the team with Vincent Rowan, who are both active across a wide range of international EPC contractor matters and highly contentious cost and delay claims. The team is also well equipped to handle contentious construction contract issues within the commercial and real estate sectors. John Savage KC boasts accredited experience advising on major social infrastructure and energy projects, while Andrea Stauber and Martina Antosova are other key members of the team, assisting with contract disputes and defect claims.