Baker McKenzie‘s ’exceptionally strong’ litigation practice draws on its global reach to provide coordinated representation to domestic and multinational clients in complex, cross-border commercial disputes. Renowned for its ‘strategic clarity’ and ’technical excellence’, the team is well-versed in class actions and multi-party litigation, from pleadings and summary judgment to trial and appeal. The ‘collaborative’ team is jointly led by San Francisco’s Mark Goodman and Washington DC-based Jennifer Ancona Semko, who handle a variety of complex disputes, including breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, and copyright and trade secret litigation. Houston-based Ian Shelton is recognized for his ’mastery’ of complex litigation, with trial and appellate experience in energy, cryptocurrency and construction litigation, as well as class action defense and contract disputes. Also in Houston, Alexander Burch has extensive experience leading commercial disputes before the Supreme Court, courts of appeals, and state and federal trial courts.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Baker McKenzie’s litigation practice is exceptionally strong, combining deep global reach with highly attentive, commercially informed client service. The team has demonstrated an outstanding ability to navigate complex, cross-border disputes involving financial regulation, fintech, and crypto assets.'
'Their advice is consistently precise, strategic, and aligned with real-world business considerations.'
'A defining element of the practice is the leadership of Ian Shelton, whose clarity of judgment, mastery of complex litigation, and calm, decisive guidance set him apart from peers. Ian quickly distils intricate issues into actionable strategies and communicates them in a way that enables confident decision-making at the highest level.'
'Compared to other firms, Baker McKenzie stands out for its seamless international coordination, superior crisis management capabilities, and innovative, technology-driven workflows.'
'The team is collaborative, diverse, and highly responsive. We recommend them unequivocally.’
‘Ian Shelton and his team stand out for their exceptional combination of strategic clarity, technical excellence, and commercial intuition. What sets them apart from competitors is their ability to quickly synthesize complex, cross-border issues and translate them into clear, actionable strategies that align with business priorities—not just legal theory. Ian’s leadership is particularly distinguished by his calm authority, precision of judgment, and rare ability to anticipate regulatory, reputational, and procedural risks well before they materialize.'
Key clients
- Bay Hills Capital Partners
- EVRAZ/Palmer
- Meltwater
- Helmerich & Payne International Drilling Co.
- Atos
- Nexo
- Association of Social Work Boards
- Trilogy Federal LLC
- McDermott
- Environmental Data Resources (EDR Lightbox)
- Erdemir
- Mambu
Work highlights
Represented Bay Hills Capital Partners in a lawsuit brought by the Kentucky Retirement System in an attempt to remove it as the general partner of its funds.
Representing EVRAZ/Palmer in litigation against general contractor Wanzek that is pending in federal court in Colorado, arising out of a $500m construction project.
Representing Meltwater on a claim for breach of contract following the termination of a 10-year deal with TVE, a vendor that provided it with streaming content.
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.
Alexander Burch
Practice head
Mark Goodman; Jennifer Ancona Semko
Other key lawyers
Ian Shelton; Barry Thompson; Michelle Hartman; Alexander Burch