Double arbitration catch for Shepherd & Wedderburn

Scottish-based law firm Shepherd & Wedderburn has announced the appointment of two international arbitration lawyers as partners in its London office.

Jane Wessel and Claire Stockford join from US firm Crowell & Moring in the firm’s commercial dispute resolution team. 

Over a 23 year period, Ms Wessel, a US attorney and English solicitor, has amassed in-depth knowledge and wide experience of international commercial arbitration, appearing as counsel in arbitrations under the rules of most of the major international arbitration institutions in Europe, Asia, and North America. 

Ms Stockford, a barrister of Gray's Inn, has represented investors in investment treaty arbitrations involving Turkey, Lithuania and Kazakhstan. She has also acted for clients in many commercial arbitrations in cases seated in London, Dublin, Geneva and Zurich.

Both also advise and represent clients in litigation in the courts and tribunals of England & Wales, with a particular focus on damages claims relating to cartel activity. 

Shepherd and Wedderburn chief executive Stephen Gibb said clients were increasingly turning away from courts to more private and often specialised forms of arbitration, requiring a thorough working knowledge of the substantive laws and procedures in multiple jurisdictions. "So the appointment of Jane and Claire underlines our long-term strategy of ensuring that we have the capability to serve our clients wherever they do business", he commented.

“The appointments enhance our position as a leading UK firm and further strengthen our highly successful commercial disputes resolution practice. The breadth and depth of experience and technical expertise that Jane and Claire possess will help us to quickly expand our international reach and depth of offering.”