Mr Ian McDonald > Mayer Brown International LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Mayer Brown International LLP
201 BISHOPSGATE
LONDON
EC2M 3AF
England
Ian McDonald photo

Work Department

Litigation

Position

Ian McDonald is co-leader of Mayer Brown’s global Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice and a member of the firm’s global Cybersecurity & Data Privacy practice, based in London.

He acts for banks and funds, particularly in high value disputes relating to loan structures, structured finance and derivatives, many of which have cross-jurisdictional elements and often managing large teams and competing priorities. Most recently he has been part of a cross-office, cross-practice team advising a financial institution on a cybersecurity incident, including leading on litigation aspects in the UK. He has also advised on cases for financial institutions involving allegations of mis-selling, misconduct, misrepresentation, deceit, fraud, breach of duty, contractual interpretation and breach of transactional documentation, as well as on matters of enforcement, rectification and restitution. He is co-leader of the firm’s International Banking and Financial Litigation Action Group. Ian also acts for licensed insolvency practitioners, noteholders, lenders, creditors, directors and borrowers in contentious insolvency matters.

Education

University of Cambridge, Jesus College

Lawyer Rankings

London > Dispute resolution > Banking litigation: investment and retail

(Hall of Fame)

Ian McDonaldMayer Brown International LLP

Regularly called upon by international banks, Mayer Brown International LLP fields extensive expertise in financial regulation and sanctions. ESG matters are also a key aspect of the ‘strong and developed’ team’s caseload. Ian McDonald leads, with a wealth of experience advising on loan structure, structured finance, and derivatives disputes. Chris Chapman and Mark Stefanini are other key contacts for financial institutions and large corporates. Airlie Goodman brings to the team cross-border expertise in cases such as breach of contract claims, and the addition of Sarah Garvey from A&O Shearman in October 2023 strengthened the team’s multi-jurisdictional offering. Finance disputes specialist Stephen Moi represents financial institutions in the full range of litigation, from fraud and mis-selling claims to contentious restructurings. Chris Roberts focuses his practice on financial crime, while Lauren Theodoulou is an expert in financial products disputes.

London > Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: premium

Working with a growing number of private equity and technology sector clients, the litigation and regulatory enforcement team at Mayer Brown International LLP – led by Ian McDonald   – excels in cross-border commercial disputes. ‘Exceptional commercial litigator’ Miles Robinson is regularly called upon to handle post-M&A and shareholder disputes, while Mark Stefanini’s broad practice ranges from contractual, joint venture and supply chain disputes, to competition and breach of warranty claims. Airlie Goodman is ‘extremely bright and commercially aware’, active in commercial litigation across the financial and professional services, mining and renewable energy sectors. Stephen Moi is another key contact, along with Jonathan Cohen.

United States > Dispute resolution > Financial services litigation

Mayer Brown represents a broad array of clients in complex litigation matters and boasts cross-border strengths, with experience supporting financial institutions before foreign enforcement bodies. Mark Hanchet is a recognised force in the market, with a focused practice on commercial litigation, securities and bankruptcy matters and regulatory enforcement. Christopher Houpt is also a standout attorney operating in the fields of securitization, structured finance and derivatives disputes. Both as team leaders in New York, whilst Christopher Chapman and Ian McDonald spearhead from London. In Chicago, Lucia Nale is very active in consumer finance litigation and represents clients in the retail banking industry. Robert Hamburg is also an up-and-coming partner of note back in New York.