Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP

Thomas Whitfield helps organizations to resolve complex disputes favorably, particularly where reputation or confidential information is at stake.

Thomas guides organizations through the most complex and riskiest disputes you can face. In 2021, he supported a client through one of the biggest cases in the UK (The Lawyer Top 20 Cases of 2021, The Times Best Law Firms 2022), culminating in an 11-week trial, amid widespread media coverage in the UK and abroad.

These disputes frequently involve the protection of an organization's reputation or critical information, often in addition to large financial sums (largest dispute to date being c. $1bn).

You can expect Thomas to break down even the most complex disputes into manageable steps. He prides himself in effectively deploying a wide range of legal technology tools, and even developing new ones, to streamline processes, drive quality and get an edge on counterparties. This allows you to focus with Thomas on the key strategic decisions, while his team ensure that every step is focused on delivering your strategic objectives, and doing so efficiently.

This approach recently allowed Thomas's team to prepare for a Commercial Court trial 18 months faster than the other parties, at a small fraction of the cost, despite our client's evidence forming the vast majority of the trial.

Clients have praised his "very good leadership," "excellent commitment" and "sound client-care skills." He is recognized as a "Stand-out lawyer" by Thomson Reuters and a "Rising Star" by The Legal 500, based on client feedback. Thomas's team (Commercial Dispute Resolution Manchester) is the only team ranked as Tier 1 by both legal directories, for litigation in the North West of England.

Thomas can draw on his experience in a wide range of legal fields, to deliver the best solution for you. These fields include breach of confidence, defamation, inducing breach of contract, fiduciary and directors' duties, breach of contract, shareholder issues, fraud, conspiracy, public interest winding-up petitions and misfeasance in public office.

The challenges faced by Thomas's clients frequently have an international element and he is experienced in both litigation and arbitration, domestically and internationally, as well as alternative dispute resolution methods. He frequently operates under particularly stringent secrecy and security requirements, including those applicable in law enforcement and defense.

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