Travers Smith LLP is skilled at handling leading cases linked to parent company liability, crypto disputes, ESG, and securities litigation. The team is led by Heather Gagen, who has extensive litigation in large-scale tort claims, post-transaction disputes, and shareholder claims. Regarded as a ‘consummate litigator’, Rob Fell has extensive experience before the Commercial Court. The ’outstanding’ Huw Jenkin is ‘strategically very acute’, and skilled at handling contentious regulatory work. Toby Robinson, Jan-Jaap Baer, and Stephanie Lee are also noted.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Huw Jenkin is thoughtful and meticulous – never takes anything at face value and always re-examines the thinking with care. Brings real depth and reassurance to the team. His approach isn’t about second-guessing but about making sure every angle has been properly tested. It’s a rare quality and one that consistently improves the end result for the client.’
‘The Travers Smith litigation team punches well above its weight. They are a group of very clever, very motivated, and hard-working lawyers who will always go the extra mile for their clients. They perhaps fly slightly under the radar as they are not as "flashy" as some of their competitors, but for my money, that makes them a much better option. For many firms, their marketing is better than their product; the opposite is the case with Travers Smith. They always over-deliver. They would be my first choice every time.’
‘Huw Jenkin is top drawer in every respect. He is an outstanding lawyer, strategically very acute, and will get the best out of his team. A go-to litigator. Jan-Jaap Baer is terrific - extremely clever and an unbelievable work ethic. You want him in your team, not on the other side. Rob Fell - everything you would want in a City litigator. At the top of the pile for any dispute. Alexa Day (partner) will always get on top of the detail of a case. She is invariably right both in her view of where the legal merits are, and also in what to do in a case.’
‘This is the best group of litigators in London for high-value or complex commercial disputes. Collegiate, efficient, commercially focused, and sophisticated, the team is rightly praised for its approach. Magic circle in every way.’
‘Rob Fell - a consummate litigator, experienced and trusted by GCs and Boards to deliver advice on the most difficult and sensitive issues. Heather Gagen - a natural leader, razor sharp on the law, highly commercial, with a deep empathy and humour that makes her a pleasure to work with.’
‘Travers Smith disputes practice is one of the best is the City of London. Unrivalled number of superb practitioners at both partner and associate level. They each manage to combine first-class legal and analytical skills with commercial nous and understanding; also without exception, brilliant fun to work with.’
Key clients
- Hewlett Packard Enterprise
- Camellia Plc
- Tony Hayward
- Fincantieri S.p.A.
- Bombardier Services (UK) Limited
- IronFX
- Sportsdirect.com Retail Limited
- Chrysalis Investments Limited
- Wanda Kids Cultural Development Co., Limited
- Xfera Moviles SAU
- Hewlett Packard Enterprise
- Camellia Plc
Work highlights
Representing various Hewlett Packard Enterprise group companies ("HP"), the Claimants in proceedings arising out of HP's $11 billion acquisition of Autonomy Corporation plc ("Autonomy"), a FTSE 100 software company, in 2011. HP's case is that it overpaid for Autonomy by approximately US$4 billion as a result of the misrepresentation of Autonomy's financial performance (through the use of fraudulent transactions and false accounting).
Led the defence and subsequent settlement of two separate sets of proceedings against Camellia plc and two of its English subsidiaries by groups of individual claimants involving novel "parent company liability" claims concerning alleged human rights abuses in the operations of two overseas subsidiaries of the Camellia group in Kenya and Malawi respectively.
Led the defence of claims of approximately £300 million against Tony Hayward, the former Chairman of Glencore plc, in respect of allegedly untrue and misleading statements made in Glencore's prospectus at the time of its IPO.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Rob Fell
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Heather Gagen
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Alexa Day
Practice head
Heather Gagen
Other key lawyers
Rob Fell; Huw Jenkin; Toby Robinson; Jan-Jaap Baer; Stephanie Lee