Noted for its trial-ready capabilities, litigation-focused powerhouse Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP excels in handling highly contentious insolvency and restructuring cases for clients as both claimants and respondents. Under the leadership of ‘heavyweight practitioner’ Richard East, the team has strong traction among officeholders, regularly acting for them in hostile cases where issues of fraud are alleged and to realise assets for secured creditors, as well as through a contingency planning lens. The team also excels in representing funds, and in both cases often works alongside colleagues across the firm’s international network on highly complex cross-border mandates involving issues of court recognition. Insolvency veteran David Ereira joined in 2024 from Paul Hastings LLP, and has since handled some challenges in relation to restructuring plans. Other key contacts include the ’highly intelligent yet commercial and business focused’ Yasseen Gailani and Karabeth Ovenden, who ‘has boundless energy which is channelled in a laser focused way’, including on Middle East mandates.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'They are relentless. If asked to leave no stone unturned, they identify every point that can sensibly be taken and execute fastidiously in prosecuting their client’s best case on that issue.'
- 'They are very much feared by their opponents and as a result are extremely good at driving positive settlements. They are also remarkably collaborative when working side by side on a common interest privilege basis or as co-counsel.'
- 'Richard East is a heavyweight practitioner who opponents fear. He is probably the best litigation strategist in London.'
- 'Yasseen Gailani is highly intelligent yet commercial and business focused - he always delivers.'
- 'Karabeth Ovenden has boundless energy which is channelled in a laser focused way.'
Key clients
- Pacific Investment Management Company,
- Anchorage Capital,
- Algebris (UK) Limited
- Phones 4U Limited (in administration)
- The Joint Administrators of NMC Healthcare LTD (in administration) (subject to deed of company arrangement)(NMC LTD)
- SoftBank Vision Funds
- HBK Europe Management
- The Joint Administrators of NMC Health PLC (in administration in England)
- Certain bondholders of Signa Development
- An ad hoc group of holders of Class B Thames Water debt
- RAD CHP Limited
Work highlights
Represent a group of funds who held bonds issued by Banco Popular Español, which was acquired by Banco Santander in June 2017 for €1 under a deal brokered by the European Single Resolution Board under a new European-wide regime – the first decision of its kind adopted by the SRB.
Represent NMC Healthcare LTD (in administration) (subject to deed of company arrangement), its Joint Administrators and 32 other NMC Group companies in their complex restructuring.
Represent the Class B Ad Hoc Group in connection with Thames Water's restructuring plan.
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.
Practice head
Richard East
Other key lawyers
David Ereira; Matthew Bunting; Ted Greeno; Khaled Khatoun; Yasseen Gailani; Karabeth Ovenden; Daniel Freund; Jovanna Panayi; Callum Davidson; Rory Nolan