John Evans leads a strong international arbitration practice at Fladgate LLP, which supports clients in commercial and investor-State work in the oil and gas, energy, and infrastructure spaces. Evans has experience advising in ICSID, LCIA, and ICC proceedings, while Thomas Karalis supports clients in contract and post-M&A disputes. Timi Balogun and Tatiana Menshenina, who joined in September 2025, bring particular skills in Africa and CIS-related matters, respectively.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- I find the team to be very professional in their approach and manner of handling cases. They put in sufficient and visible efforts in the protection of clients' interests. They are quite considerate of clients' budgetary constraints in their billing and readily accommodate lump sum fee arrangements.
- Tom Bolam and Harry Stewart both stand out for their level-headed strategic advice and stewardship on arbitrations. They know what the case needs and how to resource it appropriately. They work collaboratively with counsel. Yana Bychkova is a safe pair of hands, thorough, and the calm in a storm when you need it. She is capable well beyond her years of PQE.
- Fladgate is user-friendly, down-to-earth lawyers, without sacrificing being at the top of the game when it comes to strategy, resourcing, and legal advice. They have strength in depth and were able to flexibly staff the case according to changing needs over time, anticipating different phases of the arbitration and its connection to related client matters. Very hard workers, who were aware of what was needed in advance. They are forward-looking in legal practice and integrated AI tools to introduce significant efficiencies into case management throughout the arbitration.
- Aaron Noble - on top of all the details, good on strategy and creative thinking. Ayo Babatunde - efficient, responsive, dedicated. Gharban Shanks - good on strategy.
- Efficient, detail-oriented, on top of the issues, a pleasure to work with.
- Tom Bolam - excellent, great to work with, highly pragmatic.
Key clients
- Federal Republic of Nigeria
- Ogun State Government
- The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria
Work highlights
Represented the Federal Republic of Nigeria in defending a multibillion-dollar dispute, including an ICSID arbitration in relation to the acquisition by Eni and Royal Dutch Shell of an oil-prospecting licence, known as OPL 245, for exploration rights to a deep-water block off the Nigerian coast, potentially the biggest oil block in the country.
Representing the Ogun State Government/Federal Republic of Nigeria in defence of global enforcement proceedings brought against it by a mainland Chinese investor in a joint venture dispute to develop a free trade zone in Ogun State, Nigeria.
Represent the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria in proceedings to enforce an arbitration award dated 1 June 2010.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
John Evans
Other key lawyers
Thomas Karalis; Timi Balogun; Tatiana Menshenina