Industry focus
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP‘s London arbitration team is consistently appointed to work on complex, high value-mandates; and it has an enviable track record of victories and successful awards. Heading the international arbitration group in London, Craig Tevendale acts as counsel, advocate and arbitrator in ad hoc proceedings and before all the major arbitral institutions; Andrew Cannon ’effortlessly masterminds case strategy’; Christian Leathley focuses much of his practice on clients’ interests in Central and South America; Chris Parker KC acts in international disputes in the energy, life sciences and mining sectors; and Mike McClure KC ‘has incredibly broad international experience’. Other key figures are Hannah Ambrose, whose caseload covers both commercial and investment arbitration; Charlie Morgan, who is ’leading the AI revolution in arbitration’; and Louise Barber, whose experience includes LCIA, SIAC, PCA, ICC, WIPO, UNCITRAL, HKIAC, and ICSID proceedings. Anuradha Agnihotri and Joel Halliday are also experienced practitioners.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Mentions
Profile
Work Department
International Arbitration
Position
Partner, London
Career
Chris is a partner focusing on international arbitration. Chris has acted as counsel and advocate in ad hoc and institutional arbitrations in a number of jurisdictions and under various governing laws. He has broad experience of advising on international disputes, particularly in the energy, life sciences and mining sectors. He was appointed as Queen's Counsel (now King's Counsel) in March 2022.
Chris is Co-Head of our Pharmaceuticals sector team.
Chris joined the firm’s international arbitration group in London on qualification, having previously graduated from Cambridge University with a triple first in law.
Languages
English
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Chris Parker KC is a superb advocate and wears his immense legal skills very lightly.’
‘Christian Leathley is a favourite with clients and leads cases out of New York as well as London; Mike McClure KC has incredibly broad international experience; and Hannah Ambrose is a star in the making with clients from numerous sectors.’
‘This team is highly intelligent and diligent. They are very innovative in problem-solving. They have proved their capabilities by winning all cases. Its successes make the team unique.’
‘High-calibre team at all levels. Partners are outstanding advocates and shrewd strategists. The associates are brimming over with talent and ideas. Client service is always top of the agenda and is demonstrated by the repeat work from leading corporates.’
‘Charlie Morgan is very tech savvy and leading the AI revolution in arbitration and more broadly, and Craig Tevendale is someone clients want on their side when the going gets tough.’
‘Andrew Cannon effortlessly masterminds case strategy.’
‘Extremely commercially astute and capable of deeply understanding the business of the client with ease and speed. Highly responsive and aware of client needs.’ ‘Calm, strategic, and practical advice. Some of the best legal minds out there.’
Key clients
- BP Chevron Eni Standard Chartered Bank Republic of Italy Star Hydro Power Government of Azerbaijan State Oil Company of Azerbaijan
Work highlights
Representing the Republic of Italy, in relation to two enforcement actions involving investment treaty awards under the Energy Charter Treaty.
Representing two major international energy companies, in relation to a complex, high-value and highly-politicised dispute, which concerns a large-value oil and gas project in Africa.
Defended a US supermajor oil company in a multi-faceted defence of a sham arbitration for $18bn.