Hugh Smith

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.

Vladimir Maly is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Derivatives. Vladimir, 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 Vladimir is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Sarah Blakelock is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law. Sarah, 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 Sarah is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Penny Madden is an English qualified Queen’s Counsel and serves as Co-Partner-in-Charge of the London office at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. She is Co-Chair of the International Arbitration Practice Group and a member of the firm’s Transnational Litigation Practice Group. She has a wide range of experience in all key aspects of international arbitration with particular expertise in shareholder, telecommunications, SPA, energy, international trade and insurance disputes. She repres...

Sharon Lamb focuses her practice on transactional and regulatory advice in the health and life sciences sector. Sharon advises on global transactional mandates, including mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures in health services, pharma and life sciences, digital health and health data technologies. Sharon also provides strategic, regulatory and commercial support to UK and international clients on UK health and life sciences with a focus on health services, pharmaceuticals, medical devi...

Graham Defries is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Life Sciences Law. Graham, 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 Graham is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Christopher Haynes is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Capital Markets Law. Christopher, 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 Christopher is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Clive Wells is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. Clive, 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 Clive is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Al Gourley is a Partner at the firm’s London office. He is a globally-recognised resource lawyer, having led many UK and Canadian initial public offerings, secondary and alternative finance transactions, as well as mergers and acquisitions, in the resource sector, particularly cross-border transactions involving Europe, Africa, Australia and Canada. Al is also the Chairman of the World Initiative of Mining Lawyers based in Europe. Al is known for his knowledge of “pure” mini...