K&L Gates LLP > London, England > Firm Profile

K&L Gates LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Corporate and commercial > Equity capital markets – small-mid cap Tier 2

Praised for being ‘very attentive to client needs’ and ‘very knowledgeable on subject matter’, K&L Gates LLP is a key name in the marketplace for AIM transactions, advising complicated corporate structures, international tax and securities issues, and multiple international stock exchanges. Other defining characteristics of the practice include its focus on international cross-border work and strength advising US companies, alongside deep sector expertise in energy, mining, financial services, fintech, technology, life sciences, and real estate. Practice leader Paul Tetlow has extensive experience acting for companies, sponsors, NOMADs and brokers – particularly in the energy sector. James Green is another important contact within the group for energy and natural resources-driven work.

Insurance > Insurance litigation: for policyholders Tier 2

The insurance recovery and counselling team at K&L Gates LLP is led by Sarah Turpin, who navigates ‘the greatest issues with a steady hand’. It has experience assisting policyholders not only in dispute resolution but also with non-contentious advice including policy wording. The firm’s international reach supports its cross-border work in this area, including expertise regarding Bermuda Form claims, an area in which Ian Meredith specialises. The team also has experience in D&O liability, professional liability, cyber risk and property and business interruption – including claims arising from the Covid-19 lockdown. Matthew Smith has particular expertise regarding the construction industry.

Investment fund formation and management > Retail funds Tier 2

K&L Gates LLP‘s funds team acts for fund managers with the operation of both regulated and unregulated structures, including UCITS and NURS funds, with particular expertise in assisting funds domiciled in Ireland and Luxembourg in addition to the UK. The practice has also supported clients with regulatory challenges, advising on AIFMD and various ESG regimes in addition to digital assets regulation. Practice head Michelle Moran frequently liaises with UK and EU regulators on behalf of clients, whom she also assists with the authorisation and operation of retail structures. Philip Morgan is a regulatory specialist, advising on AIFMD and MiFID II in addition to ongoing Brexit-related matters, while Andrew Massey specialises in matters concerning UCITS structures.

Transport > Rail Tier 2

‘Overall K&L Gates LLP are a pleasure to work with, cost-effective and provide first class legal advice.’ Led by Matthew Smith, the team garners praise for its expertise in light rail metro and mass transit systems, in particular. It has been active advising on issues such as platform screen doors and complex systems contracts, as well as complicated signalling procurements. It is also well-placed to advise on operational railway issues and on other matters relating to rolling stock. In addition, it is skilled at advising on contracts for transmission based and communication based train control systems. Nicola Ellis is also recommended. 

Corporate and commercial > Commercial contracts Tier 3

Luxury fashion and beauty work forms the cornerstone of the practice at K&L Gates LLP, with clients such as Coty and Gucci regularly instructing the firm on high-profile, landmark advertising, marketing and supply chain agreements. Beyond this sphere of work, the team combines strong regulatory and multi-jurisdictional capabilities to advise on distribution arrangements and compliance issues for leading tech, manufacturing and automotive names, as well as particularly prominent contractual work in the entertainment and life sciences sector – an area which Richard Dollimore is well-versed in. Practice head Catherine Adam is routinely sought out in the wake of growing e-commerce related mandates, and is well-positioned to handle the full range of commercial issues whilst acting as the key-contact to retail, fashion and beauty clients. Jennifer Marsh is singled out for her distribution, agency and reseller contractual expertise, while Arthur Artinian leverages strong IP knowledge to advise on licence reviews and disputes, global advertising campaigns, and consumer sales terms and privacy policies. Gabriela Da Costa has worked closely with Maytronics to guide them through updating their distribution and reseller commercial terms, and was recently promoted to partner. Other individuals to note are associate Georgina Rigg, who has been very active supporting the full wealth of practice mandates, and senior associate Noirin McFadden, who has a strong background in technology and data protection matters. Associate Anna Sikora joined from an in-house position at Vodafone in 2022 to further bolster the group’s expertise.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: mid-market Tier 3

K&L Gates LLP's 'smart, strategic and flexible' team consistently acts in major commercial disputes involving the firm's core specialisms, such as corporate transactions, energy, construction, funds, finance and Fintech. Other disputes specialisms cover technology, sport, gambling, consumer products, commercial life sciences, manufacturing, and logistics. The team is headed by 'excellent litigator' John Magnin, who is particularly focused on corporate, joint venture, finance, crypto and sports-related disputes; and Martin King, who has longstanding experience in the resolution of commercial disputes. At special counsel level, Clare Tanner is an expert in corporate, banking, finance, professional liability, insolvency, and offshore-related litigation.

Industry focus > Retail and consumer Tier 3

K&L Gates LLP acts for fashion and sport retailers, luxury brands, and consumer electronics, with notable strength in intellectual property and competition matters. The team is jointly led by Arthur Artinian, Catherine Adam and Jennifer Marsh. Artinian is a seasoned intellectual property expert, handling disputes, transactions, and strategy advice. Adam is recommended for commercial and logistics mandates, while Marsh specialises in advising consumer brands on competition issues, go-to-market strategies, and commercial agreements. Gabriela Da Costa was elevated to the partnership in March 2022, and also works on competition matters.

Public sector > Electoral Tier 3

K&L Gates LLP boasts a record of advising elected officials, political parties, and campaigns groups on a range of issues related to elections conduct, post-Brexit legal concerns, electoral finance matters, and lobbying rules. The team is led by Dylan Moses, who has handled Electoral Commission investigations and notably advises on political, cultural, and campaigning regulations in relation to the return of UK-held cultural artefacts. Investigations lawyer Rosie Naylor is also recommended and has experience advising campaign groups on their formations and activities during regulated election periods.

Real estate > Commercial property: corporate occupiers Tier 3

Bolstering its hospitality and retail expertise, the ‘efficient, skilled, commercial and diverse’ practice at K&L Gates LLP excels in big-ticket development, investment, and regeneration matters. Head of real estate Christian Major advises institutional funds on the acquisition, letting and management of commercial and residential assets and portfolios. Steven Cox and Joanna Williams thrive in the corporate occupiers arena and often handle landlord and tenant mandates. Williams is also noted for her expertise in property finance. Chiara Del Frate is adept in logistics, restaurant, shopping centre and student housing property mandates, both in the UK and Italy, and ‘exceptional’ Tim Webb assists real estate private equity funds. Wayne Smith and Christopher Swallow primarily act for institutional investors, and Emma Maher is another key contact in the group.

Real estate > Commercial property: investment Tier 3

Bolstering its hospitality and retail expertise, the ‘efficient, skilled, commercial and diverse’ practice at K&L Gates LLP excels in big-ticket development, investment, and regeneration matters. Head of real estate Christian Major advises institutional funds on the acquisition, letting and management of commercial and residential assets and portfolios. Steven Cox and Joanna Williams thrive in the corporate occupiers arena and often handle landlord and tenant mandates. Williams is also noted for her expertise in property finance. Chiara Del Frate is adept in logistics, restaurant, shopping centre and student housing property mandates, both in the UK and Italy, and ‘exceptional’ Tim Webb assists real estate private equity funds. Wayne Smith and Christopher Swallow primarily act for institutional investors, and Emma Maher is another key contact in the group.

Real estate > Construction: contentious Tier 3

K&L Gates LLP excels in resolving complex disputes related to major projects both in the UK and internationally, leveraging varied resolution procedures like adjudications, international arbitrations, mediations, and expert determinations. The firm is proficient in advising on UK infrastructure projects and real estate developments, along with a growing international practice spanning the Middle East and Asia Pacific. The team is led by Matthew Smith, whose expertise is advising on UK and international transport, energy, and infrastructure disputes, and Kevin Greene, who acts for institutional investors, developers, owners, funders and contractors. Jeremy Farr stands out with his focus on offshore energy and EPC, while Clare Kempkens offers her expertise as an experienced offshore construction lawyer. Matthew Walker’s practice extends to the Middle East, working from both the London and Doha offices.

Real estate > Construction: non-contentious Tier 3

K&L Gates LLP provides advisory services on high-profile UK real estate development and transport infrastructure projects, with an expanding international practice. Kevin Greene, leading the London department, acts on behalf of institutional investors, developers, owners, funders, and contractors, bringing expertise in negotiating and drafting complex construction, procurement, and engineering contracts. Matthew Smith, as the global head of construction, focuses on advising clients in the UK and internationally on transport, energy, and infrastructure projects. Matthew Walker, a partner based in both the Doha and London offices, offers non-contentious construction advice specifically within the rail sector.

Corporate and commercial > M&A: Lower Mid-Market Deals, £100m-£750m Tier 4

Working with local and US corporate clients on a host of cross-border acquisitions and divestitures, the ‘extremely commercial’ K&L Gates LLP offers a ‘brilliant’ service across a number of key sectors, including technology, industrials, real estate, energy, infrastructure and sport. Beyond his position as practice head, the ‘quick witted and personable’ Paul Tetlow maintains a diverse practice, covering public takeovers, main and AIM market flotations, M&A, and family office investments across a range of industries. Tom Wallace handles a broad range of transactions in the financial services and technology space, while automotive industry specialist Howard Kleiman is experienced in M&A, IPOs, reorganisations, fundraisings and private equity transactions. James Green - a specialist in mining, oil and gas and renewable energy work - is noted for his expertise in international public and private M&A, including in emerging markets, while James Cross is recommended for his focus on private equity transactions.

Corporate and commercial > Private equity: transactions - mid-market deals (up to £250m) Tier 4

Working with a growing roster of domestic and international sponsors, K&L Gates LLP is a popular choice for a number of funds across the mid-market space. The London office is headed up by James Cross, a prolific transactional adviser who leads the firm’s relationships with many of its key sponsor, investor, and portfolio company clients. Cross is regularly supported by Andrew Poole, a similarly active deals lawyer whose recent engagements include investment transactions in the professional services and tech sectors.

Finance > Transport finance and leasing Tier 4

Despite the departure in October 2022 of Sidanth Rajagopal to Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP, K&L Gates LLP maintains considerable market visibility among lessors, in particular, across a range of new money and restructuring mandates. Peter O'Hare handles much of this work and has expertise across a range of financing transactions, including capital markets-related matters and large portfolio trading and warehouse financing transactions. 'One of the best, most knowledgeable legal professionals in aviation field', Philip Perrotta co-heads the team alongside O'Hare, regularly handling complex matters for parts suppliers and manufacturers.  

Projects, energy and natural resources > Oil and gas Tier 4

K&L Gates LLP acts for clients across the upstream, midstream and downstream oil & gas sectors on both non-contentious and contentious matters. Corporate partner Paul Tetlow leads the team alongside experienced oil & gas lawyer Jeremy Farr who is praised as ‘a first class lawyer with a strong commercial, solution-orientated approach’.

Real estate > Commercial property: development Tier 4

Bolstering its hospitality and retail expertise, the ‘efficient, skilled, commercial and diverse’ practice at K&L Gates LLP excels in big-ticket development, investment, and regeneration matters. Head of real estate Christian Major advises institutional funds on the acquisition, letting and management of commercial and residential assets and portfolios. Steven Cox and Joanna Williams thrive in the corporate occupiers arena and often handle landlord and tenant mandates. Williams is also noted for her expertise in property finance. Chiara Del Frate is adept in logistics, restaurant, shopping centre and student housing property mandates, both in the UK and Italy, and ‘exceptional’ Tim Webb assists real estate private equity funds. Wayne Smith and Christopher Swallow primarily act for institutional investors, and Emma Maher is another key contact in the group.

Real estate > Planning Tier 4

The ‘incredibly efficient and focused’ planning team at K&L Gates LLP acts on both sides of development matters, working across a range of sectors for both public and private clients. The team handles regeneration and infrastructure projects, urban redevelopment, and strategic planning, as well as some cross-border transactional work. Practice head Feroze Abbas ‘provides consistently strong advice’ and has developed expertise in niche areas of the planning sphere, including vires and transactional structuring. ‘Diligent’ and ‘knowledgeable’ senior associate Rebecca Daniels plays an active role in the majority of the team’s planning projects.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property: trade marks, copyright and design Tier 4

K&L Gates LLP’s IP practice routinely handles trade mark portfolio management for household name brands, as well as litigation and copyright strategy, among other matters. The department is active across an array of sectors, including luxury goods, technology and consumer electronics. Practice head Arthur Artinian acts for high profile brands on global IP strategy, transactions and disputes. Associate Simon Casinader’s expertise includes the prosecution and enforcement of IP protection strategies, while associate Serena Totino, who is dual qualified in Italy and England, is active on transactional IP matters. Fellow associate Georgina Rigg is another key contact in the group.

Transport > Aviation Tier 4

K&L Gates LLP acts for airlines and lessors on a range of transactions, including sales, purchases and leases, with contentious matters including issues of non-payment and aircraft seized in Russia also forming part of the practice’s capabilities. Heading the group are aviation financing specialists Philip Perrotta and Peter O’Hare, with Peter Morton co-ordinating the firm’s international arbitration practice and taking the lead on aviation sector disputes. Former practice heads Sidanth Rajagopal and Manuela Krach moved to Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP in October 2022 and March 2023 respectively.

Corporate and commercial > Financial services: non-contentious/regulatory Tier 5

K&L Gates LLP advises on a broad range of matters concerning ESG, AIFMD, MiFID II, EMIR, payment services, fintech and cryptocurrency, with demonstrable capability in handling pan-European and transatlantic mandates. Michelle Moran spearheads the London-based practice and advises on the establishment, authorisation and management of retail and institutional investment funds in the UK, Ireland, Luxembourg and Jersey. Other key contacts in the group include Philip Morgan and Andrew Massey.

Crime, fraud and licensing > Fraud: white-collar crime (advice to individuals) Tier 5

Counting CEOs, senior managers, and company directors amongst its key clients, the K&L Gates LLP practice specialises in handling internal investigations, serious and complex fraud, and money laundering. The team has a strong presence in the sanctions and extradition space, regularly defending individuals in proceedings brought by domestic enforcement agencies including the SFO, FCA, and FRC. Practice head Dylan Moses displays ‘excellent knowledge’ on white-collar crime and regulatory matters, while Michael Ruck is a ‘first-class advisor’ on multi-jurisdictional criminal investigations. Rosie Naylor handles bribery and corruption proceedings, while Annabel Goulding focuses on fraud issues.

Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 5

K&L Gates LLP‘ 'global team is led by exceptional partners'. The London practice's arbitration instructions incorporate a range of industries, including insurance coverage (policy-holder side), energy, technology, media, aviation, and construction and infrastructure. Ian Meredith is experienced in insurance, energy and investment disputes; John Magnin has longstanding international arbitration expertise; Peter Morton is an aviation and energy disputes specialist; and Ben Holland handles multi-jurisdictional large-scale claims for energy sector clients.

Investment fund formation and management > Private funds Tier 5

Recommended for advising clients on complex private equity fund structures as well as spin outs, K&L Gates LLP is led by Daniel Greenaway who leverages his prior experience working in the tax field to advise GPs on impact-linked carried interest structures.

Real estate > Environment Tier 5

Feroze Abbas leads the planning and environment cohort at K&L Gates LLP, which has a particular focus advising namely local planning authorities on the environmental aspects of urban regeneration projects and corporate transactions.

Risk advisory > Regulatory investigations and corporate crime (advice to corporates) Tier 5

Counting multinational corporations and FTSE 250 companies amongst its key clients, the K&L Gates LLP practice draws upon its ‘wealth of experience’ to offer bespoke advice on regulatory matters and cross-border business crime cases. The team has a strong track record in high-profile SFO and FRC investigations, using its network of US offices when addressing AML, fraud, and bribery proceedings spanning across many different jurisdictions. The ‘bright, practical’ Dylan Moses leads the practice, frequently dealing with complex health and safety prosecutions, while Brian Saulnier focuses on corruption-related issues. Michael Ruck handles regulatory compliance, working closely with domestic and foreign regulators. Rose Naylor is also noted.

Corporate and commercial > EU and competition Tier 6

The ‘proactive’ team at K&L Gates LLP attracts considerable praise from clients, who turn to the team for its wide-ranging capabilities in transactional and behavioural competition matters. The practice has a particular emphasis on the vertical space, providing advice on the full gamut of vertical rules including RPM, online and cross-border restrictions and performance pricing. The ‘very diligent’ practice head Jennifer Marsh advises on all aspects of competition law and is regularly engaged by a diverse portfolio of consumer goods heavyweights. Gabriela Da Costa is noted for expertise in EU and UK vertical competition law, having provided assistance to some of the world’s largest consumer brands in sectors such as fashion, luxury, electronics, and sports.

Real estate > Property finance Tier 6

Richard Hardwick is the practice head at K&L Gates LLP, and is a trusted adviser to finance parties, sponsors and borrowers on cross-border transactions, CMBS loan restructuring and insolvency. Michael Anderson is experienced in origination, syndication and restructuring of real estate debt.

Finance > Corporate restructuring & insolvency Tier 7

The 'highly responsive and personable' team at K&L Gates LLP provides 'legally tight and commercially insightful advice' to IPs, creditors, funds and corporates on both solvent restructurings and insolvency matters. 'Empathetic and technically excellent' team head Jonathan Lawrence continues to handle a considerable amount of distressed M&A-related work for US funds, and is also well-versed in restructurings with a nexus to the Middle East. Special counsel Clare Tanner is the other main practitioner in the team and has a focus on contentious insolvency matters.

Investment fund formation and management > Hedge funds

United States > Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 4

K&L Gates represents clients in a broad range of disputes, including securities, business torts, bankruptcy, banking, antitrust, white-collar crime, class actions, employment litigation, and intellectual property litigation, among others. With robust regional strengths, the firm serves both national and international companies from a variety of industries, including software and electronics, financial services, pharma, manufacturing, construction, food and beverage, and entertainment. Melissa Tea and Jeffrey Patterson lead the firm’s litigation arm from Pittsburgh and Boston respectively. Seattle-based Pallavi Mehta Wahi specializes in corporate and technology-related disputes, while Thomas Birsic in Pittsburgh focuses on class actions, business disputes, environmental and toxic torts, and shareholder disputes. The team also consists of Thomas Holt in Boston, Artoush Varshosaz in Dallas, and Joseph Welborn and Beau Creson in Nashville.

Qatar > Dispute resolution

The dispute resolution team at K&L Gates is made up of ‘extremely talented lawyers‘, offering a ‘depth of capability at all levels‘. Its arbitration capabilities are particularly praised, with sector expertise across construction and engineering, oil and gas, and banking and finance matters. Team head Matthew Walker works across Doha and London, while Burak Eryiğit is noted for his ‘extraordinary‘ attention-to-detail.

United States > Energy > Energy litigation: oil and gas

K&L Gates frequently acts as trial and appellate counsel to major clients in the upstream oil and gas industry, and defends lessees in multi-jurisdictional litigation brought by royalty owners, as well as litigating hydraulic fracturing cases and eminent domain. Other key areas of expertise include advising on issues impacting oil and gas operations in unconventional production areas. Jamie Lavergne Bryan, who splits her time between Fort Worth and Houston, represents oil and gas producers and pipeline companies in multi-district litigation, and jointly leads the practice alongside London-based Clare Kempkens. The Fort Worth office is also home to Jeffrey King, who has experience in multi-district and class action litigation, and Elizabeth Tiblets, who is commended as ‘smart, tenacious, and knows the industry very well’.

United States > Real estate > Real estate

At K&L Gates‘ Charleston office, Matthew Norton co-chairs the firm’s global real estate practice and spearheads the resort, hospitality and leisure practice. He has worked extensively throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, and is experienced in the sale, acquisition, financing, and development of hotels, resorts, and golf courses. Shannon Skinner is the other co-head, based in Seattle, concentrating her practice on commercial real estate and financing transactions, particularly regional shopping centers, hotels, office buildings, industrial and logistics properties, mixed-use projects, multifamily and museums.