Paul McDermott

Mark Smith is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Pensions Practice. Mark practices law in London, United Kingdom Best Lawyers has recognized Mark Smith since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Mark Smith is held by other lawyers.

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...

Andrew Henderson is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Financial Services. Andrew practices law in London, United Kingdom Best Lawyers has recognized Andrew Henderson since 2023. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Andrew Henderson is held by other lawyers.

Christopher Haynes is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Capital Markets Law. Christopher practices law in London, United Kingdom Best Lawyers has recognized Christopher Haynes since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Christopher Haynes is held by other lawyers.

Mark Fennessy is the co-head of the London Finance, Restructuring and Special Situations Group. He focuses his practice on contentious and non-contentious restructuring and insolvency matters. He has particular experience in multifaceted group collapses and global insolvency issues. He has been involved in a number of high-profile assignments for banks, funds and various strategic parties. Mark leads a team with unrivalled expertise in special situations, including in relation to assets facin...

Sandro de Bernardini is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Sandro practices law in London, United Kingdom Best Lawyers has recognized Sandro de Bernardini since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Sandro de Bernardini is held by other lawyers.

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...

Franz Schwarz focuses on complex multi-jurisdictional disputes. He has extensive experience with arbitral practice, procedure and advocacy both in civil and common law systems. Mr. Schwarz has been involved in more than 250 arbitrations as counsel and arbitrator, both ad-hoc and before all major arbitral institutions (including ICC, LCIA, Vienna and Stockholm), at multiple seats and governed by a broad variety of substantive and procedural laws. He has a particular focus on joint venture, M&a...

Adam Rendle is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Media and Entertainment Law. Adam practices law in London, United Kingdom Best Lawyers has recognized Adam Rendle since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Adam Rendle is held by other lawyers.

Gary Born is the chair of the International Arbitration Practice Group. Mr. Born is widely regarded as the world's preeminent authority on international commercial arbitration and international litigation. He has been ranked for more than 20 years as one of the world's leading international arbitration advocates and the leading arbitration practitioner in London.