Latham & Watkins' London group covers both commercial and investment treaty arbitration. Particularly experienced in oil and gas matters, the team routinely represents states, governments, oil majors and financial institutions in high-stakes disputes; such caseload encompasses joint ventures, post- M&A conflicts, and oil and gas installations. It also acts in private equity disputes, while additionally maintaining a robust investment arbitration practice. Sophie Lamb KC acts for corporate, financial, and sovereign entities in international disputes; Philip Clifford KC has significant expertise in oil and gas, energy, construction, shareholder and joint venture conflicts; Charles Claypoole is an investment treaty arbitration specialist; and Robert Price ‘stands out for his exceptional communication, team and leadership skills’. The practice further includes investment treaty and commercial arbitration practitioner Samuel Pape, as well as international arbitration lawyers Stephanie Forrest and Shreya Ramesh. In late 2024, Charles Rae and Isuru Devendra departed the firm.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘A very strong team of individuals with deep experience of international arbitration.’
‘They are a team which thinks carefully about strategy. They’re written and oral advocacy is of the highest class.’
‘With exceptional understanding of the business aspects of the issues at hand, Latham & Watkins is uniquely positioned to support large organisations in multifaceted matters, which require a combined legal, commercial and practical approach.’
‘The team is very well technically prepared and proactive. They really work as a team, which keeps the work moving.’
‘A great firm attracting great work, and they are truly international. Some standout performers.’
‘Philip Clifford KC is a fantastic lawyer and great to work with. Exceptional.’
Key clients
- UniCredit Bank
- Republic of Colombia
- The Republic of Ukraine
- Strabag SE
- The Republic of Croatia
- Mason Capital Management
- Mason Management
Work highlights
Successfully defended a global private equity house in a $700m SIAC arbitration, which concerns a TMT infrastructure investment in Southeast Asia.
Secured a complete victory for a renewable energy company, in a $2bn boardroom battle between its former management and the current company.
Assisted Unicredit Bank with securing a mandatory anti-suit injunction, which requires a Gazprom joint venture to discontinue proceedings before the Russian courts (seeking recovery of €448m under English law-governed bonds that provided for ICC arbitration in Paris).
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.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Shreya Ramesh
Practice head
Sophie Lamb KC: Philip Clifford KC
Other key lawyers
Charles Claypoole; Robert Price; Samuel Pape; Stephanie Forrest; Shreya Ramesh