With a continued focus on the private enforcement and group litigation space, Stephenson Harwood represents a growing roster of clients in interchange and damages claims, including cartel damages actions. Genevieve Quierin heads the team. With a strong background in competition private enforcement actions, she leads on the MIF claims against Visa and Mastercard. Trudy Feaster-Gee joined the team in October 2023, bolstering the firm’s competition offering. Feaster-Fee also plays a key role in the MIF claims alongside Quierin. Adam Polonsky, Chris Pettett and Marcus Watkinson are other names to note.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Genevieve Quierin excels in Stephenson Harwood's Group Litigation (claimant) practice through her remarkable leadership and legal acumen, particularly in orchestrating complex, multi-party litigation. Her proactive communication style ensures that all parties are well-informed and aligned, which is essential in group litigation contexts where coordination is key. Genevieve's strategic thinking and ability to anticipate legal challenges allow her to navigate cases effectively, setting her apart from competitors who may not foresee such complexities. These qualities, coupled with her commitment to achieving favorable outcomes for all claimants, make her an invaluable leader in this specialized legal field.’
‘A very close-knit working team who are always happy to help and provide legal advice, they are on hand at all times and will make time to speak to you.’
‘Genevieve Quierin heads a very strong competition section, working alongside the excellent Donna Newman from the commercial teams in the recent interchange litigation. Both show fantastic judgement and great strategic skill. They mould an excellent team around them, comprising associates such as Chris Pettett and Marcus Watkinson.’
‘Genevieve Quierin and Adam Polonsky work hand in glove and are an excellent team’
‘The team at Stephenson Harwood are incredibly dedicated to their client's cases. They give clear, sensible and commercial advice grounded in properly reasoned legal analysis.’
‘Genevieve Quierin gives clear, practical advice and leaves no stone unturned. It is unsurprising that she is so highly sought after. Adam Polonsky is a calm and reassuring presence in any team. Clients have complete confidence in him and in his advice.’
‘Stephenson Harwood has a leading commercial litigation practice with expertise across a broad sweep of commercial and group litigation. Unusually for a firm of its size, the firm has experience on the claimant side acting for corporates on group claims.’
‘Genevieve Quierin is a key individual within the team and has driven the firm's involvement in the Interchange case. Donna Newman and Adam Polonsky are also central to the team and all three are consistently excellent.’
Key clients
- Marks and Spencer PLC
- bet365
- Intercontinental Hotel Group
- Asda Stores Limited
- Iceland Foods Limited
- Aldi Stores Ltd
- Wm Morrison Supermarkets Limited
- Ocado Retail Limited
- Co-operative Group Limited
- Asda Stores Limited
Work highlights
Representing over 1,800 corporate claimants in group claims brought against Mastercard and Visa, totalling approximately £1.5bn.
Acting for seven UK supermarket groups, that account for 45% of the UK grocery market (Asda, Aldi, Co-op, Iceland, M&S, Morrisons and Ocado), in their claims for damages against seven leading farmed Atlantic salmon producers.
Representing Hillside (Shared Services) Limited and others (whose claims were issued in 2017) in interchange reimbursement claims against Visa and MasterCard in two separate sets of proceedings.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Genevieve Quierin
Other key lawyers
Trudy Feaster-Gee; Adam Polonsky; Chris Pettett; Marcus Watkinson; Alex Athanasopoulos; Donna Newman