DLA Piper supports clients in a wide range of commercial disputes across various sectors including the private equity, energy, hospitality, and sports industries. The team is well placed to handle cross-border disputes, specifically corporate disputes and financial services litigation. Andrew Smith, who leads the team, concentrates his practice on corporate and commercial disputes, including group actions, with expertise in M&A and transactional claims, joint venture issues and shareholder disputes. Jonathan Eatough represents clients in the manufacturing, retail, infrastructure, PFI, and technology sectors in domestic and international commercial disputes. Philip Williams routinely supports clients in fintech and financial services disputes, infrastructure and energy-related claims, and corporate and shareholder disputes. Leontia McArdle specialises in class-actions and other mass claims, regularly acting for blue-chip clients. International arbitration expert Charlotte Leith also has a strong commercial litigation practice, and Benjamin Fellows routinely handles claims concerning breach of contract and negligence elements, and consumer credit and asset finance issues.
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Key clients
- Jemella Limited (ghd)
- Fullbrook Thorpe Investments
- Maven Capital Partners
- Harrison Street Real Estate Capital LLC
- Scottish Power Group
- GE Capital
- Close Brothers
- Wise Payments (Transferwise)
- New Day
- Bionical EMAS
Work highlights
- Acting in a joint venture dispute involving various allegations and counter-allegations of breach of contract, breach of duty and other heads of claim.
- Involved in a high-profile defamation proceedings brought against a client by Dr Craig Wright, who claims to be the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto, inventor of Bitcoin.
- Acting for SP Smart Meter Assets Limited in a claim against EDF Energy Customers Limited. The claim arises as a result of the refusal of EDF to pay rental charges in connection with electricity and gas smart meters supplied by the client to customers of EDF.
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.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Andrew Smith
Other key lawyers
Jonathan Eatough; Philip Williams; Leontia McArdle; Charlotte Leith; Benjamin Fellows