Crime, fraud and licensing
Fielding ‘a diverse set of disputes lawyers’, Signature Litigation LLP is sought out to act in both international commercial and investment treaty arbitration proceedings. Ioannis Alexopoulos has significant expertise in mandates involving Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Africa, Brazil, and the Middle East; and Neil Newing is an oil and gas industry expert. The practice additionally showcases Tsegaye Laurendeau, who is ’building a strong name for himself in the arbitration market’; Philipp Kurek, who predominantly focuses on the ICSID, UNCITRAL and ICC rules; investment treaty arbitration and public international law specialist, Bernhard Maier; and ‘hard-working lawyer’ Pietro Grassi.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Mentions
Profile
Work Department
Litigation, International Arbitration
Position
Ioannis specialises in commercial litigation and international arbitration, including banking disputes, particularly those involving financial products, investment banking and derivatives. He also focusses on commercial and business disputes with an emphasis on joint venture and shareholder disputes, shareholder protection, business break-ups and fraud.
His key industry sectors are financial services, energy/oil & gas, shipping/international trade, telecoms, IT and infrastructure projects. The main geographies for Ioannis’ practice are Greece, the Balkans, Russia, the Middle East, Brazil and sub-Saharan Africa. Ioannis also has considerable experience of regulatory and internal investigations.
His cases often involve an overseas element, usually with competing multiple jurisdictions and laws. His clients include banks or their clients, insurers, intermediaries, venture capitalists and equity investors and large corporates in England and internationally.
Ioannis has extensive expertise representing clients in arbitrations under the ICC and LCIA rules, as well as others including SCC and UNCITRAL, and his cases often involve an international element, usually with competing multiple jurisdictions and laws. His clients include banks or their clients, insurers, intermediaries, venture capitalists and equity investors, and large corporates in England and internationally. Ioannis also advises in connection with investor state disputes.
Career
Associate, Holman Fenwick Willan, 1990; Partner, DLA Piper, 1998; Partner, Bryan Cave, 2015; Partner, Signature Litigation, 2016.
Languages
Fluent in English and Greek and conversational Portuguese
Memberships
London Solicitors Litigation Association; International Bar Association; Lex-Anglo-Brasil; Comitê Brasileiro de Arbitragem (CBAr).
Education
Ethnikon kai Kapodistriakon Panepistimion Athinon; University of Cambridge; College of Law York.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘This is a remarkable transnational (trans-European) group of high-level litigators with a presence in France, the UK and Germany. Totally focused on international litigation and arbitration, in which they excel.’
‘Signature is unique in that they have grown as a boutique litigation firm with expansion across various markets and expertise in all types of dispute resolution.’
‘They have a diverse set of disputes lawyers with language capabilities and a reasonable price point for the London market.’
‘Philipp Kurek is a dedicated, smart and forward-looking litigator, while at the same being a really nice person. A rare combination.’
‘Tsegaye Laurendeau has extensive international arbitration expertise; and has worked on large mandates over the years, building a strong name for himself in the arbitration market.’
‘Tsegaye Laurendeau has a strong commercial approach to dispute resolution, which is very appealing to clients. He understands issues very quickly, is pragmatic, and a great team player.'
‘Neil Newing is detail oriented, technically savvy and a great team player, making him a fantastic choice to lead on complex mandates.’ ‘Pietro Grassi is a very technical, thorough, committed and hard-working lawyer. He is a huge asset to any team, punching above his weight.’
Key clients
- Solway Investment Group Solway Industries Swiss Solway Mining Incorporated Discovery Global
Work highlights
Representing Solway Investment Group in an investment treaty UNCITRAL claim against Liberia under the Liberian Investment Act and the bilateral investment treaty between Switzerland and Liberia.