Esther Kirwan

Justin Watts is an experienced patent litigator who has an established and well-regarded intellectual property practice. Clients rely on his industry knowledge and years of experience to handle their complex, multinational disputes. Dr. Watts represents a variety of clients, with an emphasis on those in the pharmaceutical, medical devices, biotechnology, communications, and hardware and software industries, in disputes involving standards, competition law and patents. Dr. Watts' experience en...

Clients value the support, guidance, and leadership that Phillip Taylor brings to a situation and his technical and commercial approach to delivering innovative solutions to the most complex issues involving international restructuring, special situations, and insolvency. He represents companies, creditors, and investors in all parts of the capital structure, as well as corporate trustees, agents, directors, and insolvency practitioners. Phillip routinely handles both contentious and non-cont...

Vincent Zabielski focuses on international nuclear energy matters, including providing strategic advice related to new-build EPC contracts, power purchase agreements, operation and maintenance, fuel supply chain, liability issues, and export controls. Prior to joining Pillsbury, Vincent was Senior Nuclear Counsel for the UAE nuclear new build program, where he was responsible for integration of nuclear licensing strategy with the largest-ever public financing of a public works project. During...

Stephen A. Thierbach is a US-qualified corporate partner in the London office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. A senior U.S. securities lawyer, he advises issuers, underwriters and selling shareholders on complex, innovative and multi-jurisdictional offerings of equity, equity-related and debt securities. He has a broad capital markets transactions practice, with a focus on initial public offerings and secondary offerings, and has represented corporates, investment banks, private equity firms ...

Simon Airey focuses his practice on global, cross-border and internal investigations, financial and regulatory crime, bribery and corruption, money laundering, tax and fraud inquiries, data breaches, dawn raids, asset tracing, international enforcement and corporate compliance issues. He has conducted a wide range of investigations and corporate defence assignments in different sectors, including construction, defence, financial services, gambling, oil and gas, logistics, pharmaceuticals and ...

Steven Davis is a partner in the Corporate Department, co-head of our global Private Equity and M&A Group and co-head of the London office.Steven’s practice focuses on buyouts, buy-ins, and strategic mergers & acquisitions. He has considerable industry knowledge in the consumer, retail, financial, business services, sports and healthcare sectors, and has advised a broad range of clients, including private equity sponsors, management teams, financial institutions and public and p...

John Houghton, Chair of the London Restructuring & Bankruptcy Practice, advises creditors, sponsors, insolvent companies, directors and insolvency practitioners on virtually all areas of international restructurings, insolvency, and corporate rescues. He has a substantial experience of restructuring via schemes of arrangement and the new restructuring process. According to the Chambers UK 2020 Guide, John “is highly competent and skilled, and is able to guide a management team and d...

The leader of Pillsbury’s Data Privacy & Cybersecurity practice in Europe and global Marketing Law team, Rafi has been highly ranked by Chambers and Legal 500 for 20+ years for e-commerce, data and marketing law (including as Tier 1 and Hall of Fame). Rafi is chair of the Ad Law Group. He is also listed in Who’s Who Data. Rafi advises clients, from the world’s largest companies to startups, on entry to new markets, marketing and launch of new technology/products and EU a...

Michelle M. Kirschner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Financial Services. Michelle M., 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 Michelle M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Rob Day is a partner in Proskauer’s Corporate Department and a member of our Private Equity Transactions, Mergers & Acquisitions and Sports Groups. Rob’s practice focuses on public and private M&A, leveraged buyouts and joint ventures, private equity and portfolio company transactions. His clients include global corporations, asset managers and private equity houses, advising on their strategically important transactions across financial services, consumer, sports, media a...