London

Fulbright & Jaworski’s London location* has been established for more than 30 years, and has undergone significant strategic growth since 2004, with the addition of English qualified lawyers with decades of experience and international reputations in dispute resolution (including commercial litigation, corporate and regulatory disputes and international arbitration) and transactional work (including commercial, energy, M&A and project finance).

As one of the world’s leading financial and business centres, London is a major corporate hub for many of Fulbright’s clients. Fulbright’s London location works closely with its other fifteen affiliated locations throughout the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia to provide seamless local, cross-border and multi-jurisdictional legal capabilities.

Fulbright’s London lawyers focus on dispute resolution, corporate and regulatory investigations, energy, project finance, energy and infrastructure project development, competition, insurance, commercial acquisitions and commercial agreements. Fulbright’s London lawyers are recognised as leading practitioners within these fields.

Client Service

Based upon survey responses of over 1,000 corporate counsel, Fulbright received the first-ever Client Choice Award from the International Law Office, the official on-line media partner of the International Bar Association. It won the award again this year—the third year in which the award was made. Fulbright’s long-standing client relationships are based upon highly personal service and advice that is both practical and pragmatic.

Chambers UK 2009 recognises that "'Great people and a great client base' have allowed Fulbright & Jaworski to 'make a big push' in London." Chambers Europe 2008 records that "this firm can count on a successful London practice to supplement its impressive US offices" and that "commentators were 'impressed by the fast and up-and-coming team.'"

Commercial Litigation

Fulbright’s London lawyers regularly handle significant commercial disputes in all of the higher English Courts, including the High Court, Court of Appeal, House of Lords and Privy Council. The disputes frequently involve multi-jurisdictional issues, and arise out of banking and finance, data protection, energy, projects, construction and engineering, professional liability, insurance and reinsurance, competition and general commercial transactions. The disputes team has wide-ranging judicial review experience. The disputes team also has long experience in all forms of alternative dispute resolution, with members including accredited mediators.

The London location has wide-ranging domestic and international experience in class and group actions and integrates with Fulbright’s Global Class and Group Actions Practice to deliver these services both in the UK and globally. This approach is adopted by all other key disciplines and industries and underlies Fulbright’s determination to provide clients with a seamless service wherever it may be needed.

Fulbright’s litigation and arbitration strengths are enhanced by our ability to draw upon our market-leading practice support capability, involving Fulbright's e-discovery and information management team of over 60 legal professionals dedicated to dealing with the increasingly complex issues relating to electronic discovery, electronic disclosure and information management in dispute resolution. Fulbright’s electronic discovery and information management team is a vital part of all of our international and domestic litigation.

Fulbright’s litigation lawyers advise our clients on dispute resolution strategies and on related risk assessment and strategies.

Chambers UK 2009 recognises Lista Cannon and Chris Warren-Smith as leading figures, acknowledging that "Growing steadily in London, this US firm has a refined knowledge of investment banking disputes. Over the past year the firm worked on subprime disputes and related issues involving the structure of investment vehicles..." Lista Cannon is recommended for her contentious regulatory practice, civil fraud work, dispute resolution and professional discipline practice. Chris Warren-Smith is also "highly recommended" for his work in representing insurers in relation to civil and regulatory proceedings.

Chambers Europe 2009 acknowledges Lista Cannon as “an expert in trans-national regulatory investigation, enforcement proceedings and commercial litigation.

Corporate Regulatory Investigations 

Fulbright's disputes lawyers in London have a long track record in conducting corporate investigations and preparing reports for a wide range of audiences in many jurisdictions worldwide. The core litigation and arbitration skills, combined with our market-leading practice support and document management systems, enable us to carry out investigations that will prove decisive to the outcome of regulatory proceedings, disputes, or important corporate decisions.

The work spans all key industries such as banking, finance, energy, the professions, insurance, tax, telecommunications and transport, and areas as diverse as price-fixing, anti-corruption, fraud, whistleblowing, bidding practices, intellectual property rights and procurement policies. Fulbright also has experience of advising on data protection issues arising in the context of such investigations. The investigations have involved countries and regions all over the world including the U.K., U.S., Russia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, the Channel Islands, Asia and Australasia. The depth and breadth of experience in the London location together with the affiliated Fulbright locations worldwide enables us to offer a seamless domestic and international service with a high level of practical and pragmatic advice.

The work includes both civil and white collar crime issues that face corporations in jurisdictions throughout the world. The extensive civil fraud litigation and investigations experience in the London office, combined with the depth of experience of the U.S. locations, enables us to provide a seamless cross-jurisdictional service.

Fulbright’s government investigations and enforcement lawyers have acted in some of the most significant and important domestic and trans-national regulatory investigation and enforcement proceedings in recent years. This involves coordinating the range of regulatory responses that trans-national investigations require.

This includes FSA and SEC investigations, but also a wide range of investigations by a diverse range of bodies, including the former Department of Trade and Industry (now the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform), Treasury Select Committee, Lloyd’s of London, the Office of Fair Trading, Serious Fraud Office, HM Revenue & Customs, US Department of Justice and regulators in numerous other jurisdictions worldwide.

The Financial Times commends Lista Cannon, partner-in-charge of Fulbright’s London location, as a “dual-qualified lawyer who has made significant contribution to international financial regulatory investigations,” naming her in its list of the 16 most Innovative Lawyers in the United Kingdom for 2006.

Chambers UK 2009 records that "Sources agree that the team's combination of strong London partners and vast US experience and expertise mean it is advantageously placed to conduct investigations and handle regulatory matters with an international element." Lista Cannon is "widely recommended for 'providing innovative solutions to complicated problems' and is highlighted for her impressive work on FSA and SEC investigations where she brings years of experience to the table."

Chambers 2008 notes that Chris Warren-Smith "effectively 'cornered the market' on disputes arising from regulatory investigations into split capital investment trusts".

In addition, our lawyers have wide experience of representing professional firms and their partners in disciplinary proceedings brought by regulators and professional bodies. Legal 500 lists Chris Warren-Smith, as a “recommended” practitioner in the area of professional negligence.

International Arbitration

Fulbright’s London lawyers are recognised as leading practitioners in international arbitration and are part of one of the world’s premier international arbitration practices. For the third consecutive year, the 2008 Chambers Global Guide ranked Fulbright as one of the leading international arbitration firms in the world. In addition, Global Arbitration Review 2009 listed Fulbright as one of the top 30 arbitration firms in the world.

Legal 500 lists David Howell, co-chair of the firm's International Arbitration practice, as a "strategic thinker," and he is listed in the Guide to the World's Leading Experts in Commercial Litigation. Legal 500 also noted London partner Jonathan Sutcliffe's international arbitration work.

Chambers UK 2009 gives high praise to the international arbitration practice within Fulbright's London location, listing David Howell and Jonathan Sutcliffe as leading practitioners. Chambers UK 2008 recognised Howell as "a valued figure in energy disputes" and a practitioner who has "a lot of transactional experience and great skill in litigation."

Chambers Europe 2008 recommends Sutcliffe as "an extremely able practitioner who is highly rated by everyone he works with" and notes his "significant experience in investor-state arbitration." Sutcliffe is also recommended for international arbitration in Chambers UK.

Current and recent matters include arbitrations in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the U.S. in the energy/oil and gas, construction and engineering, insurance and reinsurance, utilities and financial sectors and investor-state/treaty arbitrations. Fulbright lawyers act regularly as counsel and advocates in international arbitrations held under a variety of arbitration rules including: 

Fulbright’s international arbitration team assists international commercial and state-party clients all over the world. Fulbright lawyers regularly serve as arbitrators and mediators, and regularly speak and write on international arbitration topics, including in Fulbright's 2009 International Arbitration Report.

Fulbright’s London lawyers are experienced in foreign investment disputes, including claims arising out of bilateral and multilateral investment treaties.

Commercial

Fulbright’s London lawyers are regularly involved in the negotiation and documentation of international joint ventures, licensing, distribution, agency, technology transfer, technical assistance and other commercial agreements. Fulbright also advises on foreign investment and international trade matters.

Energy

Fulbright’s London lawyers advise on projects and transactions across the energy sector, providing a comprehensive service to the energy and natural resources industry. Fulbright’s lawyers have in-depth knowledge and experience of advising clients in the sector including upstream sectors, downstream sectors, Liquified Natural Gas ("LNG"), power and natural resources sectors and alternative energy-related projects

Fulbright’s London lawyers offer a full range of legal services to energy clients and are experienced in structuring, negotiating and developing agreements for the acquisition and disposal of oil and gas reserves, production and business platforms, energy and natural resource companies, host government, operating, service and other related industry-specific agreements and arrangements, public bid tenders for privatisations and concessions and production sharing agreements in emerging markets.

Fulbright’s London lawyers practice in one of the centres of the energy sector and have extensive experience advising on both domestic UK energy matters, as well as international projects and transactions in Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and the Indian Sub-Continent.

Chambers UK 2009 states that "the firm is regarded as a leader in the oil and gas sector, and the Fleet Street office attracts similarly high praise for its energy work." The directory lists Susan Farmer as a leading figure, with her LNG experience providing "the London office with a newfound capacity for taking on transactional work, and improves its ability to generate new clients." Farmer is also listed in the Guide to the World's Leading Energy and Natural Resources Lawyers. Jeremy Sheldon is recognised as a leading individual in projects and energy by Chambers UK 2009: "His 'tireless approach and impressive spread of experience' wins admiration from clients." Fulbright's energy disputes practice is also said to remain in "the 'safe and sure hands'" of David Howell. Chambers UK 2008 recorded that "the team's reach has seen it handle a series of prominent oil and gas transactions across Europe, the Middle East and South Asia over the last year."

Mergers and Acquisitions

Fulbright’s London lawyers have represented English, European, Middle Eastern, African and Asian companies and investors in the purchase and sale of companies and assets, often in the oil and gas and other energy-related sectors.

Fulbright’s M&A lawyers have also represented UK governmental agencies and departments and other foreign sovereigns with respect to U.S. legal matters. Fulbright’s lawyers have also advised on the tax planning and structuring of various specific types of investments in the U.S., including real property acquisitions. Such advice often spans many legal areas, including corporate, banking, securities and tax law.

Project Finance

Fulbright’s London lawyers handle project development and financing transactions for clients throughout the world, representing developers and owners of projects, as well as investors and lenders, notably in the power sector.

Fulbright’s lawyers are also involved in initial and secondary public offerings of equity and debt securities, private equity and debt financing, venture capital arrangements and leasing transactions.

Fulbright’s project finance lawyers represent issuers and underwriters based in Europe in connection with listings on the various U.S. stock exchanges and in public offerings in the United States, overseeing initial and secondary public offerings of equity and debt securities, private equity and debt financing, venture capital arrangements and leasing transactions.

Fulbright also assists clients in developing financing strategies for projects and investments to comply with and benefit from local tax, foreign exchange, foreign investment incentives and commercial laws and regulations. In addition to advising international clients in the U.S. on financial regulatory matters (i.e., SEC filings and investigations, Sarbanes-Oxley), Fulbright provides financial regulatory advice to British and international companies doing business in the U.K.

London partner Christopher Clement-Davies is named as one of the World’s Leading Project Finance Lawyers by Project Finance Experts Guide.

Acquisitions and Dispositions

Fulbright’s London lawyers have represented English, European, Middle Eastern, African and Asian companies and investors in the purchase and sale of companies and assets, often in the oil and gas and other energy-related sectors.

Fulbright’s M&A lawyers have also represented UK governmental agencies and departments and other foreign sovereigns with respect to U.S. legal matters. Fulbright’s lawyers have also advised on the tax planning and structuring of various specific types of investments in the U.S., including real property acquisitions. Such advice often spans many legal areas, including corporate, banking, securities and tax law.

Commercial Matters

Fulbright’s London lawyers are regularly involved in the negotiation and documentation of international joint ventures, licensing, distribution, agency, technology transfer, technical assistance and other commercial agreements. Fulbright also advises on foreign investment and international trade matters.

Awards

• Chambers UK 2009 recognises Lisa Cannon as a leading lawyer in banking litigation; financial services: contentious regulatory; dispute resolution; professional discipline; and civil fraud. Chris Warren-Smith is recognised as a leader in banking litigation and insurance: general claims.
• David Howell, co-head of the firm's international arbitration practice group, is acknowledged by Chambers UK 2009 to be a leading practitioner in international arbitration and in projects and energy disputes. Jonathan Sutcliffe is also listed for his international arbitration work.
• Susan Farmer and Jeremy Sheldon each earned individual recognition in Chambers UK 2009 as leading lawyers in projects and energy: oil and gas.
• Lista Cannon is listed as a leading individual in dispute resolition in the UK in Chambers Europe 2009.
• Legal Experts 2009 lists the following partners as leaders in the UK legal profession: Lista Cannon (arbitration; banking litigation; commercial litigation; financial services); David Howell (arbitration); Jonathan Sutcliffe (arbitration); Christopher Clement-Davies (project finance/PFI); Jeremy Sheldon (energy and natural resources).
• In 2009, Lista Cannon, David Howell and Jonathan Sutcliffe were listed in the inaugural edition of the Best Lawyers list of solicitors for the UK. Lista Cannon is recognised for her litigation work. David Howel and Jonathan Sutcliffe are acknowledged as leaders in arbitration and mediation.
• Legal 500: Europe, Middle East and Africa 2009 recognises the international arbitration work of London arbitration head David Howell and Jonathan Sutcliffe and Richard Hill (now in Hong Kong). Lista Cannon and Chris Warren-Smith are also listed as leaders in their fields.
• PLC Which Lawyer? recommends Lista Cannon (dispute resolution), David Howell (dispute resolution: arbitration) and Jeremy Sheldon (energy) as leading lawyers in their respective fields.
• Lista Cannon (dispute resolution) and Jonathan Sutcliffe (dispute resolution: international arbitration) were recognized as leading lawyers in Chambers Europe 2008.
• Legal 500 UK 2008 names Lista Cannon, Chris Warren-Smith, David Howell, Jonathan Sutcliffe, Richard Hill (now in Hong Kong) and Melanie Ryan as leading practitioners.
• Chambers UK 2008 recognised Lista Cannon, Chris Warren-Smtih, David Howell, Jonathan Sutcliffe and Jeremy Sheldon as leading lawyers in their respected fields.
• Fulbright's Lista Cannon named among Financial Times’ Most Innovative Lawyers.
• Fulbright's David Howell named as a leading international arbitration practitioner in the 2007 Global Counsel Dispute Resolution Handbook, 2006 Who's Who Legal Commercial Arbitration and 2007 Euromoney World's Leading Experts in Commercial Arbitration.
• Fulbright's Christopher Clement-Davies was named by Project Finance Experts Guide as among World’s Leading Project Finance Lawyers.
• Fulbright listed among the best U.S. law firms in London at the 2006 Legal Business Awards.