DLA Piper‘s litigation and regulatory team is regularly engaged with high-profile mandates, including domestic High Court litigation, international arbitration, and inquiry support work. The team demonstrates considerable breadth and depth of knowledge with key areas of expertise in the technology, life sciences, financial services, and industrial sectors. Phillip Kelly leads the team, bringing significant experience in domestic and international litigation, regularly acting on cross-border disputes with expert knowledge of outsourcing and government contracting. The team is bolstered by Neil Bowker, handling a broad range of international and domestic matters while managing commercial sensitivities and reputational implications.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘This firm puts together excellent teams to deal with very complex cases which combine litigation know-how, commercial acumen and subject matter expertise.’

  • 'Philip Kelly - terrier-like attention to detail.’

  • ‘DLA’s Birmingham office offers exceptional quality - they are more than capable of going toe to toe with the very best that London has to offer. A go-to firm when you need heavy hitters.’

  • ‘Neil Bowker is a partner at the top of his game. Great at leading a team, has excellent strategic insight, and is not afraid to roll his sleeves up and get down into the details when required.'

  • 'A team full of excellent and dynamic people - excellent technical lawyers, market knowledge, and strategic thinkers.'
  • 'Phillip Kelly, head of litigation, is a superstar. One of the very best out there. Cuts straight to the heart of the issues, always gets the best results for his clients.'
  • 'Neil Bowker - first rate, a great communicator.'
  • 'Phillip Kelly is a strong and detailed focused lawyer, who provides responsive and pragmatic advice.'

Key clients

  • IHG Hotels Limited
  • Intercontinental Hotels Group Plc
  • Reckitt Benckiser
  • Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office
  • HSBC UK Bank PLC
  • The Gas and Electricity Markets Authority
  • Compass PLC
  • The NEC Group
  • TT Group
  • Munich Re
  • Generali Group
  • CoreLogic U.K. Limited
  • Marine & Remote Sensing

Work highlights

Defended a £55m claim relating to renewable energy schemes.
Acted for a client in multiple jurisdictions in respect of high-value fraud claims against various companies.
Acted for a global technology company creating security and intelligence-related solutions in relation to proceedings concerning supply contracts in Saudi Arabia.

Lawyers

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

Phillip Kelly

Other key lawyers

Neil Bowker