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Michelmores is establishing a new international arbitration and trade practice in its London office led by Gordon Nardell KC, strengthening the Firm’s existing international disputes credentials.
Gordon Nardell KC will be joined by two additional international disputes practitioners with experience in Scandinavian and African markets. Together, and with the support of the firm’s existing commercial dispute resolution team, they will focus on complex cross-border disputes and advisory work with a significant State or public law dimension. The combined expertise brings a specialty that no other firm currently holds, at the intersection of commercial disputes and State activity.
The team’s capabilities include bringing and defending damages claims involving States and State-owned entities, handling disputes under regional and global trade agreements, advising governments on trade and investment, and handling regulatory and commercial disputes with a public element.
Gordon Nardell KC, who joins Michelmores from Twenty Essex and is one of the leading names in international litigation and arbitration involving States, will become the Firm’s Head of International Arbitration and Trade. He will join the Firm in the autumn.
His current and recent caseload spans EU law, investor-State claims, business and human rights, the effects of Russia sanctions and other external shocks on contracts, and the regulation of traditional and emerging energy technologies. His professional experience is broad: he first qualified as a commercial litigation solicitor, practised public international law at the Council of Europe and then served as UK Parliamentary Counsel, before moving to the Bar.
Commenting on his appointment, Gordon said:
“I’m delighted to be joining Michelmores. I have had the pleasure of working with this incredibly dynamic and forward-looking firm over the years and look forward to leading the development of this exciting new capacity.”
Tim Richards, Managing Partner at Michelmores, added:
“I am very pleased to welcome Gordon and his team, who we have known for many years and who bring a unique and unrivalled offering to Michelmores.
“Until now, clients facing disputes with a State dimension have had to choose between the full-service weight of big law and the narrow reach of individual specialists. This new team offers both experienced practitioners with genuine standing in State and trade matters, backed by the depth, resources and institutional strength of an established firm. The timing reflects clients’ increasing need for guidance with the increased risk of disputes coming out of current geopolitical issues.”