Mr David Kavanagh KC > Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP
22 Bishopsgate
London
EC2N 4BQ
England

Work Department

International Litigation and Arbitration

Position

Partner

Career

Mr. Kavanagh acts on some the world’s largest and most high-profile bet-the-company cases. These include matters in a vast range of sectors, including telecoms, airlines, satellites, petrochemicals, oil and gas, mining, cryptocurrency and real estate. He also has acted on several major investment treaty disputes for governments and investors. Additionally, he has extensive experience in international finance litigation, and his clients include major investment banks and hedge funds, which he regularly represents in High Court litigation. Mr. Kavanagh also acts as lead counsel in arbitrations, which have been seated in London, Singapore, Hong Kong, Paris, Geneva, Zurich, Delhi, Stockholm, the Hague, Netherlands and Vienna. He has extensive experience in managing multijurisdictional court actions in the Caribbean and other offshore jurisdictions. In addition, Mr. Kavanagh regularly advises companies and financial institutions on regulatory matters and civil/criminal investigations including advice under the U.K. Bribery Act, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and international sanctions. He also counsels on data protection and privacy issues.

Memberships

  • London Court of International Arbitration
  • International Bar Association

Education

  • Legal Practice Course, The College of Law, 1989
  • B.A. (Hons), University of Durham, 1988

Lawyer Rankings

London > Dispute resolution > International arbitration

(Hall of Fame)

David Kavanagh KCSkadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP’s London international arbitration group comprises ‘very smart, dedicated group of individuals who can turn around a great pleading at a moment’s notice’. The practice encompasses both commercial and investor-state disputes, while the team conducts its own advocacy for international arbitrations. Leading the Europe international litigation and arbitration group, Kate Davies KC is an international commercial and investment treaty arbitration specialist; David Kavanagh KC, is a ‘superb tactician‘; David Edwards is ‘the kind of lawyer clients want to have‘; Daniel Gal KC has extensive experience in commercial arbitration and investment treaty disputes; and Bruce Macaulay‘s practice incorporates international arbitration work. At counsel level, Nicholas Adams‘ workload covers ad hoc arbitrations; and Devika Khopkar is experienced in investor-state arbitrations, as well as India-related claims. The associate to note is international commercial arbitration practitioner Peter Beaumont.

London > Dispute resolution > Tax litigation and investigations

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP‘s tax controversy team works across Europe and the US on complex cross-border disputes, including EU-wide tax audits, transfer pricing matters, and major commercial disputes between private parties. James Anderson, who is head of the firm’s European tax practice, co-leads the team alongside international arbitration expert David Kavanagh KC. Kate Davies KC and Alex Jupp are further key names.

London > Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: premium

Elite US firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP is known for its ‘exceptional team of litigators for the largest cases’ – the team has a track record of work on landmark disputes for multinational companies and major domestics, handling contentious matters concerning M&A, joint ventures, shareholder agreements, and directors’ duties. Kate Davies KC leads the team that consists of David Kavanagh KC, ‘one of the best litigators in the City of London’, heavyweight litigator’ David Edwards and Bruce Macaulay, who ‘stands out for his fantastic judgement and cool, calm presence’. Daniel Gal KC is noted.

London > Dispute resolution > Public international law

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP (Skadden)’s acts in investment treaty arbitrations involving PIL and treaty interpretation issues. It also houses sanctions experts. David Kavanagh KC represents governments and investors in investment treaty disputes; and Ryan Junck leads the European litigation/controversy practices. Other key practitioners include multi-jurisdictional business crime expert Elizabeth Robertson, investment treaty disputes silk Daniel Gal KC, and European counsel Devika Khopkar, who is experienced in India-related disputes. Kate Davies KC recently joined from Allen & Overy LLP to lead the practice, and Karyl Nairn KC departed to become a deputy High Court judge.