Clive Smith

Richard Obank is a partner and the practice group leader of the Firm's Bankruptcy & Corporate Restructuring Practice Group in the U.K. Richard practices in the area of corporate restructuring with particular experience acting for boards of directors in financially distressed situations. He advises regularly on distressed M&A transactions, debt and capital restructuring and work out situations, often involving significant cross-border issues, where the objective is to ensure the best o...

Charlie Caher is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of International Arbitration. Charlie, who practices law in London, United Kingdom, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Charlie is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James Fisher is a partner in the Finance Group in Alston & Bird’s London office, focusing on debt capital markets, structured finance, securitisation, and derivatives transactions, with a particular specialty in advising corporate trust, agency, and issuer clients across a broad spectrum of cross-border and domestic financings.

John McElroy is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of International Arbitration. John, who practices law in London, United Kingdom, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Andrew Savage focuses his practice on international commercial and finance litigation and international arbitration. Over a period of more than 25 years he has a gained a wealth of experience across all sectors and industries, including finance, insolvency, energy, insurance (for policy holders), commodities, shipping, construction, IT and art theft. Much of his casework has involved dealing with issues of fraud and corruption and the need for global asset tracing and international enforcement.

Mr. Youle is recognised as a leading individual in The Legal 500 UK and a Market Leader in IFLR1000. Additionally, he is ranked in Tier 1 in Chambers UK, which quotes clients describing him as “incredibly responsive, very professional but also personal. He feels like an extension of our team and has excellent subject knowledge at all times.” He also was named Lawyer of the Year - London Private Equity Law by Best Lawyers in the UK 2022, in addition to being named as a 2018 Private...

Helen Croke joined Ropes & Gray as a partner in its private equity transactions group in October 2016. She specialises in UK and international private equity and M&A, including acting for institutional investors, corporates and founders. Helen is recommended by Chambers UK and The Legal 500 as a leading individual in private equity who clients say is “fantastic” with a “unique ability to articulate complicated aspects in layman’s terms.” Helen was recogni...

Deborah Ruff leads Pillsbury’s Arbitration - U.S. & International practice. She has extensive experience in multi-jurisdiction disputes, with a focus on high-value and complex international arbitration in the energy, infrastructure and construction, telecommunications and financial sectors. Deborah conducts international arbitration disputes often over JOAs, the construction of and off-take from refineries and petrochemical plants, as well as rig, energy trading and transport, and c...

Mark Sperotto is a partner in the London office of Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher and a member of the Corporate Transactional practice group. Mr. Sperotto has broad experience in both the UK and Italian markets, covering all aspects of corporate, private equity and investment banking with a focus on cross-border M&A, leveraged buy-outs, fund establishment and international corporate finance and equity capital markets transactions. Mr. Sperotto’s experience extends to advising private equ...

Steven Finizio's practice focuses on international dispute resolution. Mr. Finizio also serves as an arbitrator. He has particular experience with energy, financial services, shareholder, joint venture and M&A, and manufacturing issues. He has advised clients regarding disputes under the rules of most of the well-recognized international arbitration institutions and governed by the laws of jurisdictions in Europe, Asia, Africa and the US, as well as under bilateral and regional investment...