Debenhams Ottaway stands out for its boardroom disputes and company dissolutions work, acting for a range of clients, including global corporations, owner managed businesses, high-profile celebrities, and high-net worth clients. The group is headed by Juliet Schalker, a seasoned litigator in specialist divisions of the High Court, her work includes insolvency, shareholder, and boardroom disputes, as well as professional negligence claims. Alexander Neale is particularly skilled at handling disputes for IT and software companies, while Robyn Adams works closely with clients in high-value, complex litigation cases.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘They are are incredibly responsive, and they have thorough and highly impressive knowledge of the underlying law.'
‘I work closely with Alex Neale and Robyn Adams, both of whom are stars of the profession and stand out a mile above the competition. I have particularly come to value their incredible turn around times giving the impression that your matter is the only one they are dealing with which is far from the case. In contentious matters they employ a collaborative team driven approach in which the client is at the heart. They know the substantive and procedural law inside out and are so effective with their communication with the court that by the time the case is called on half the battle feels like it is already won.’
‘Juliet Schalker is the stand out star of the team. Approachable, sensible, reasonable and pragmatic, she's a true leader and a great litigator.’
‘The standout individual is Alexander Neale who is a first class insolvency lawyer, highly commercial, clear-thinking, responsive, and a great person to work with. Alex genuinely cares about his clients and the service his firm provides. He is a great listener and is one of the most personable individuals I have met.’
‘Debenhams Ottaway have a really strong litigation team, and experience managing sensitive large-scale proceedings with a keen eye on the client's best interest. They are also, frankly, lovely people to deal with.’
- 'At senior associate level, Robyn Adams is extremely professional and effective, and can handle the most sensitive and difficult of situations with serious emotional intelligence.’
Key clients
- El Husseiny family
- MEP Capital
- Dermal Laboratories Limited
- MSP Capital Limited
- Squad Security Limited
- St Albans City and District Council
- Trend Tool Technology
- Access Group
- Davis & Co LLP
Work highlights
Sucesfully represented the El Husseiny family in the Invest Bank v El Husseini case that went to a 4-week trial in the Commercial Court.
Represented MEP Capital, a prominent US alternative capital provider, who were facing financial loss from a loan extension to the 80’s band Culture Club.
Represented Dermal Laboratories Limited and Diomed Developments Limited on their c£4m claim against Leumi ABL Limited, an asset-based lender.
Lawyers
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.
Robyn Adams
Practice head
Juliet Schalker
Other key lawyers
Alexander Neale; Robyn Adams