James Wood KC

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

Robert Spano is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Human Rights Law and Public International Law. Robert, 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 Robert is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Prior to joining Skadden, Mr. Gal led the strategic development of the Middle Eastern litigation practice of another major U.S. law firm. Over the course of the last 20 years, he has represented some of the world’s leading companies in sectors such as telecommunications, banking and finance, infrastructure, energy, construction and technology under a variety of different rules including ICC, ICSID, LCIA, UNCITRAL, AAA and ad hoc arbitrations. He served, until recently, as one of Austral...

Michael Kazakevich is a partner in Ropes & Gray’s finance group in London, co-head of the firm’s global practice, and co-chair of the firm’s investment banking industry group. Michael’s practice focuses on corporate finance transactions. He has advised issuers and underwriters in connection with high yield debt issues, secured leveraged loans, initial and follow-on public equity offerings, tender offers and acquisition financing commitments.

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...

Simon Cook has experience in a wide variety of banking and finance transactions, including in particular in relation to structured trade finance, trade finance, project finance, invoice discounting facilities and borrowing-base facilities in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the CIS. His work in the structured trade area covers a range of pre-export and prepayment financings acting for both lenders and borrowers notably in oil, telecoms, soft commodities and metals sectors with particular exp...

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...

Ceyda Knoebel is an English-Turkish dual-qualified solicitor and Of Counsel in the London office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. She is a member of the firm’s Dispute Resolution and International Arbitration Groups. Ms. Knoebel advises on a wide range of disputes involving public international law and general commercial matters in common and civil law jurisdictions. She has experience in both commercial and investment treaty arbitration proceedings under the UNCITRAL, ICSID, ICC, VIAC a...

Wim De Vlieger is a partner in the London office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. Mr. De Vlieger is Co-Head of Private Equity in Europe and a member of the Mergers and Acquisitions and Capital Markets practice groups. Mr. De Vlieger advises private equity investors and their portfolio companies on a wide range of corporate transactions, including growth equity and control investments and co-investments, structured transactions, buy-out transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and exits. He also...

Bill Schnoor is a partner in and former co-chair of the firm’s Technology and Life Sciences groups. He works in all areas of corporate, securities and partnership laws, with a primary focus on advising high-growth technology and life sciences companies. He joined Goodwin in 2005, after a 21-year career with Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP, and quickly became co-chair of Goodwin’s technology and life sciences practices. Under his leadership the Technology and Life Sciences grou...