The professional negligence team at DLA Piper, led by Adam Ibrahim, is known for its work on complex and high-stakes cases, particularly in the financial services sector. The team advises large financial institutions on matters involving fraud, mis-selling, negligence, and related claims. Ibrahim focuses on contentious financial services, while Chris Harvey specialises in defending professional negligence claims for banks and other financial entities. Sohail Ali has expertise in banking, fraud, and asset recovery issues, while Claire Clayton-Stead handles complex strategic litigation for retail and commercial banks. Paul McNamee, with over 20 years of experience, handles professional negligence cases, particularly those involving fraud in high-value commercial and residential disputes.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Super responsive, very commercial, great on strategy. A no brainer to instruct.’
‘Sohail Ali is simply brilliant - commercial, strategic, calm leadership on any difficult case.’
‘DLA is one of the leading firms in this field in the whole of the UK, let alone the North East. Very tuned in to the client's requirements, providing a Rolls-Royce service across the board.’
‘Adam Ibrahim is a very senior partner, with a groaning trophy cabinet of awards for his all-round excellence in recent years, highly intelligent and a brilliant tactician - there isn't a corner Adam hasn't seen round long before the opposition.'
'Claire Clayton-Stead is a new partner, who is very focused on client needs, as well as having a huge intellect and superb judgment.'
'Paul McNamee is surely the best associate in the country - very clever, all over the detail, clients love him and the other side fear him - a formidable litigator.’
‘Very experienced in banking litigation and excellent knowledge of financial institutions and how they operate. Partners are approachable and work hard to strengthen client relationships (to good effect).'
‘Chris Harvey is an excellent lawyer with a depth of knowledge of our organisation and finance litigation generally. Chris is a pleasure to work with, very commercial and we trust him to understand the commercial drivers of our organisation.'
Key clients
- Goldman Sachs
- Morgan Stanley
- Secure Trust Bank
- Deutsche Bank
- PwC
- Bank of Ireland
- London & Oxford Capital Markets
Lawyers
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
Adam Ibrahim
Other key lawyers
Chris Harvey; Sohail Ali, Paul McNamee; Claire Clayton-Stead