With ‘wonderful expertise in public international law’, A&O Shearman is routinely mandated by sovereigns and corporations to assist with major bilateral and multilateral investment treaty-related disputes. The team also advises states and international organisations, including international financial institutions, on international treaties and conventions, sanctions regimes, sovereign immunity, state succession, and use of force. Other key areas are international anti-terrorism conventions, boundary disputes, international humanitarian law, trade, and WTO issues. Group head Mark Levy KC is a specialist in commercial and investment treaty arbitration cases, as well as WTO matters; ’very thorough and intelligent lawyer’ Matthew Hodgson has notable experience in disputes over joint ventures, distribution agreements, post-M&A issues, and natural resources and infrastructure projects; Guled Yusuf is ‘fast becoming a leading lawyer in public international law’; and James Freeman leads the London international arbitration team. Also key to the practice are Andrew Denny, who chairs the firm’s human rights working group; international trade and regulatory law practice head Matthew Townsend; and public international law expert Katrina Limond. Sarah Garvey departed the firm in October 2023.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team has a great attitude towards clients - they are trustworthy, and their decisions are quick and reasonable.’
‘This team has wonderful expertise in public international law and provides appropriate assistance with ISDS cases.’
‘They have a very broad public international law practice. Few firms have significant work outside of investment arbitration in the space, let alone experience in inter-state disputes.’
‘Guled Yusuf is fast becoming a leading lawyer in public international law. He is thoughtful, clear and insightful in his advice. Clients would be hard-pressed to find better counsel for investment treaty or inter-state disputes. ’
‘David Herlihy in Dublin is very approachable and commercially aware. Brings a depth of knowledge and curiosity to each case and provides clear, concise advice.’
‘Matthew Hodgson is a very thorough and intelligent lawyer.’
‘Matthew Hodgson’s advocacy at hearings is great.’
Key clients
- Republic of Djibouti
- Kingdom of Bahrain
- Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
- Kingdom of Morocco
- Republic of Korea
- Kingdom of Cambodia
- Vodafone
- Korea National Oil Corporation
- Federal Republic of Somalia
Work highlights
Representing the Republic of Djibouti before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in advisory proceedings concerning the obligations of states in respect of climate change.
Acting for the Kingdom of Bahrain in an investment treaty claim brought at ICSID by Naftiran Intertrade Co, a trading subsidiary of the National Iranian Oil Company.
Acting for Korea National Oil Corporation in an ongoing ICSID arbitration against the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the claim concerning the frustration of energy sector investments.
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.
Guled Yusuf
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Katrina Limond
Practice head
Mark Levy KC
Other key lawyers
Matthew Hodgson; Guled Yusuf; James Freeman; Andrew Denny; Matthew Townsend; Katrina Limond; David Herlihy