James Trafford

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...

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 ...

David Birchall advises clients on the full range of energy transactions in the mid- and downstream fields, including types of commodity trading matters, conventional, renewables and clean-tech projects, energy and infrastructure projects, regulation and waste, including waste-to-energy schemes. Having practised as an energy corporate, regulatory and projects lawyer since 1993, he also worked from the start of the renewables and physical commodities trading legal market, in the UK, throughout ...

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

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 ...

Tony Horspool is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insolvency and Restructuring Law. Tony, who practices law in London, United Kingdom, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Tony is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Geoffrey L. Wynne is head of the Trade and Commodities Finance Group and has extensive experience in banking and finance, specifically corporate and international finance, bank mergers, acquisitions, conversions and restructurings, trade and structured trade and commodity finance, structured finance, asset and project finance, syndicated lending, equipment leasing, workouts and financing restructuring, leveraged and management buy-outs and general commercial matters. Geoff is one of the leadi...

Raminta Dereskeviciute focuses her practice on product compliance, trade regulation (sanctions and export controls) and ESG. She has significant experience in advising on EU and UK chemical legislation (REACH), product safety and liability rules and frequently represents clients before the European Chemicals Agency Board of Appeal. Raminta also advises businesses on the implications Brexit has in relation to a range of regulatory compliance issues. Raminta counsels clients on the EU and the U...

Peter Newman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insolvency and Restructuring Law. Peter, 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 Peter is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Nigel van Zyl specializes in advising asset managers, institutional investors and investment advisors across the full spectrum of investment fund matters. Praised for his keen business sense and practical approach, Nigel advises leading international fund managers on all aspects of their fund business, including the formation, raising, maintenance and ongoing operation and compliance of their investment funds. He also advises on internal governance, compliance and organization, carried intere...