Following its merger with legacy US firm Shearman & Sterling in May 2024, A&O Shearman‘s ’formidable’ cross-border practice has gone from strength to strength, continuing to draw on an ever-larger global network to advise on commercial disputes with international elements. It is active in group actions and sports litigation has been another particularly prolific area for the team. Susanna Charlwood‘s broad practice ranges from shareholder and joint venture disputes to disputes arising from M&A, with a particular focus on contentious insolvency proceedings. ’Fantastic litigator’ Alice Englehart is a key contact, leading the team on international sanctions work and disputes with reputational risk. Andrew Denny is experienced in parallel proceedings across multiple jurisdictions, including anti-suit injunctions, while Jonathan Hitchin handles litigation related to acquisitions and disposals, JVs and insolvencies. Maeve Hanna‘s sector expertise spans the energy, transportation, technology and media sectors. Helen Biggin demonstrates particular prowess in the aviation sector, advising on aircraft detention and repossession. Sarah Garvey left the team in October 2023.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘I have worked in particular with Susanna Charlwood, Juliet de Pencier, and Tom Spackman, on a number of large and complex commercial matters. They are outstanding, and together make a formidable team. Every important aspect of the case is thoroughly analysed, and considered, and no stone is left unturned to protect the clients' best interests. They are also a great pleasure to work with.’
‘Susanna Charlwood - a real powerhouse of the field who is always available and with razor sharp intellect. Juliet de Pencier - a complete star in the making who has excellent people skills and will fight hard for your corner. Tom Spackman - one of the cleverest lawyers you will meet, who is a partner in the making and is a standout of his generation.’
‘Alice Englehart is an excellent technical lawyer but with a real flair for the dynamics of litigation, both the personal and forensic elements. A star turn.’
‘Alice Englehart is outstandingly good - highly commercial and focused. Eve Giles is a great hire.’
‘Paul Nelson - very bright, always trying to think of different angles to maximum benefit to client's position. Helen Biggin - sound judgment, tough and non-nonsense. Hugo Flaux - stand-out litigator, knows papers and facts backwards, great judgment and excellent drafting skills; a man to watch’
‘Alice Englehart is a fantastic litigator with a unique blend of broad experience, high intellect, high EQ and calming presence.’
‘Russell Butland is a real stand-out performer, with an immense capacity for understanding complexities and multiple interdependencies, holding together the implications of vast amounts of data (even potentially contradictory data), and comprehensibly explaining the challenges involved in all litigations.’
‘Jonathan Hitchin and Russell Butland are nice, fast, smart, competent partners and have a team of very good associates.’
Key clients
- Aviation Capital Group
- Etihad Airways PJSC
- Grant Thornton, the administrators of Greensill Capital (UK) Limited
- Scania
- TP ICAP
- Visa Europe Member Representative (VEMR)
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.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Susanna Charlwood
Alice Englehart
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Maeve Hanna
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Helen Biggin
Practice head
Calum Burnett; Arnondo Chakrabarti
Other key lawyers
Susanna Charlwood; Alice Englehart; Andrew Denny; Jonathan Hitchin; Maeve Hanna; Helen Biggin; Juliet de Pencier; Tom Spackman; Paul Nelson; Hugo Flaux; Russell Butland; Eve Giles; Sophie Pringle