Dorothy Cory Wright leads the team at Dechert LLP that has a ‘first-class reputation for commercial disputes work’. Members of the team frequently act on complex disputes with cross-jurisdictional elements. ’Tremendous lawyer’ Stephen Surgeoner is noted for his focus on funds, insurance, and telecoms cases, while Adam Silver is ‘extremely clever, entirely commercial, and realistic’. Andrew Hearn, John Bedford, Daniel Natoff and Ricci Potts are all recommended.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team is particularly impressive in managing complex relationships and commercially astute when determining how best to navigate such complexities. ’
‘John Bedford is very technical, very helpful, accessible and available. He is also commercial, gets to grips with the detail and provides reliable advice. He is an intelligent lawyer, who is also calm, measured and committed to getting the right result for his clients.’
‘The Dechert team is extremely impressive. I have worked for a number of a years with the individuals below, predominantly supporting their work for international, particularly Lebanese, banks. The cases have raised complex jurisdictional, legal and tactical issues, which the team have dealt with extraordinary skill. Of particular note is the depth of knowledge and experience in international matters, including partners and associates with multi-lingual abilities (including Arabic) and a deep understanding of Middle Eastern affairs, politics and culture.’
‘The stand-out partner is without doubt Adam Silver: Adam is simply one of the best solicitors I have dealt - he is extremely clever, entirely commercial, and realistic in his approach, is able to anticipate developments in the litigation, and has a really good sense of what will and will not work in Court. He also has a really first rate team around him, including: - Ricci Potts - a more recent partner, but no less able. Ricci has wide experience in commercial and banking matters and solid commercial sense. - Richard Herstell - is a relatively new associate, but an exceptionally impressive one - his mutli-lingual abilities - including in Arabic languages - and knowledge of Middle Eastern geography, politics and culture, is extremely valuable in the international field. ’
‘Dechert acts for a number of Lebanese banks on litigation arising out of the Lebanese financial crisis. They are an excellent team with huge amounts of experience and knowledge, adept at handling the procedural challenges and strong and creative on the law. The Dechert teams I've worked with have had consistently excellent output with legal and strategic advice, drafting, and case management.’
‘Adam Silver is the standout performer. He is an excellent strategist with very good commercial instincts, along with being knowledgeable, clever and creative on the law. A great manager and easy to work with. Ricci Potts is a new partner and rising force. Richard Herstell is a rising star, a polyglot with truly impressive langauge skills along with strong drafting and legal advice. ’
Key clients
- Cedar Mundi (Holdings) SAL
- UBS Asset Management (Switzerland)
- Union Bancaire Privee, UBP SA (“UBP”), UBP Asset Management (Bermuda) Limited and three of UBP’s directors
- Chubb European Group SE
- Pizza Express Group Limited
- GPT Special Project Management Limited/Airbus
- Bank Audi SAL
- Various Lebanese banks, including Bank Audi SAL, Bankmed SAL, Bank of Beirut SAL
Work highlights
Acting for a Lebanese closed-end venture capital fund which invests in early-stage portfolio companies, in proceedings brought in the Commercial Court to invalidate a sale and purchase agreement (and related agreements) by which fund assets were sold without the requisite corporate authorities and at a substantial undervalue.
Supporting UBS in USD 2 billion insurance claims linked to the financial aftermath of the collapse of Greensill Capital.
Acting for various Union Bancaire Privee entities in a high value, very complex, multi-party claim in the Commercial Court.
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.
Practice head
Dorothy Cory-Wright
Other key lawyers
Andrew Hearn; John Bedford; Daniel Natoff; Ricci Potts; Stephen Surgeoner