Robert Li
- Senior Reporter, CDR (Commercial Dispute Resolution)
- Senior Reporter, African Law and Business
United Kingdom
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Robert Li
Friday round-up: South China arbitration professional fills high-level institutional roles
A dual-qualified lawyer and experienced arbitrator has taken up senior positions at two southern China-based arbitral institutions, as US defections from Weil, Gotshal & Manges show no sign of slowing. In South China, Bruno Nunes has become the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA)’s deputy general counsel, having also taken up a deputy secretary-general role at the South China International Arbitration Center (Hong Kong) (SCIAHK).
Friday round-up: Australian consultants advance to new roles
FTI Consulting and Ashurst Perkins Coie’s Australian divisions have added forensic accounting and financial crime-focused practitioners, while the London legal market remains appealing for those seeking pastures new. Australia is where the round-up begins, with FTI Consulting has welcoming Daniel Heywood as a senior managing director in Brisbane.
Carter-Ruck augments arbitration abilities
Robert Li , 5 November 2026 A dual-qualified lawyer has merged his independent practice into the London boutique, bringing more than 15 years’ investment treaty and commercial arbitration experience. London disputes boutique Carter-Ruck announced today (5 November) its hire of Tomas Vail as a partner in its international practice.
Carter-Ruck augments arbitration abilities
A dual-qualified lawyer has merged his independent practice into the London boutique, bringing more than 15 years’ investment treaty and commercial arbitration experience. London disputes boutique Carter-Ruck announced today (5 November) its hire of Tomas Vail as a partner in its international practice.
Architect denied bid to escape construction liability
The London High Court has held that an action against an architect for alleged negligence cannot be struck out, simply because it had settled an earlier claim. Architect Hawkins Brown has failed to strike out a claim for negligence and breach of contract relating to fire safety measures, paving the way for the GBP 7 million claim to proceed.
‘Irremediable’ breaches seal fate of IP contract
A fashion-brand owner has prevailed in the London High Court, vindicating its early termination of a 20-year licensing agreement first entered into in 2020. The London High Court judgment in Zennar v Molssi Fashion Shanghai was handed down remotely on 30 October, finding there were ‘irremediable’ breaches of the contract between the companies, and validating Zennar’s subsequent termination notice.
Barnes & Thornburg expands East Coast capabilities
A pair of litigators has joined the firm in DC and New York, adding product liability and class action experience in federal and state courts. Barnes & Thornburg announced on 29 October the hire of two new product liability partners on the East Coast: Brett Clements has joined in Washington, DC, while the New York office has welcomed Nora Wolf. Clements has joined after a four-year tenure at nationwide litigation and appellate boutique Hollingsworth, which included three years as a partner.
Ciarb announces Shariah accreditation collaboration
The arbitration-focused industry group will partner with the Istanbul-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Arbitration Centre to promote professional standards in disputes involving Islamic finance. The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Arbitration Centre (OIC-AC).
Friday round-up: Clyde & Co augments Australia insurance abilities
Clyde & Co has also snared an aviation lawyer in Hong Kong, as multiple London and US East Coast professionals vote with their feet. The round-up begins in Australia, where Clyde & Co has hired Danielle Skinner in its Sydney casualty claims practice, adding significant public and product liability, and mass tort experience. She is a former partner at Carter Newell Lawyers, where her five years’ service included a stint as general liability practice leader.
Weil poised for winding-up
Continued key partner losses are thought to be behind the near century-old firm’s shock proposed dissolution. Venerable international player Weil, Gotshal & Manges looks set to be consigned to the history books, as the remaining partners prepare to vote on its dissolution. With no recently reported financial issues dogging the firm, the news comes as a surprise to many.
Deals still flowing in Nigerian oil sector
Lagos-headquartered Templars is advising on two major oil transactions, evidencing the healthy market for hydrocarbon assets in the most populous African state. The Nigerian upstream energy market has seen the closing of two significant and interrelated deals this week, both of which involved local law firm Templars.
Egyptian property fund raises USD 31 million
Awaed Real Estate Investment Fund’s second issuance received support from Clyde & Co’s Egyptian association firm, as it sought to fund acquisition of New Cairo investments. Awaed Real Estate Investment Fund has concluded its second issuance, raising an additional EGP 1.77 billion (USD 31.6 million).
New GBP 5 billion CAT claim against payment card giants
We use essential cookies to make our site work. With your consent, we may also use non-essential cookies to improve user experience and analyze website traffic. By clicking “Accept,” you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy. You can change your cookie settings at any time by clicking “Preferences.” PreferencesDeclineAccept
Raeburn leaps to Latham
We use essential cookies to make our site work. With your consent, we may also use non-essential cookies to improve user experience and analyze website traffic. By clicking “Accept,” you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy. You can change your cookie settings at any time by clicking “Preferences.” Accept
Shell sells Nigerian gas asset
Vaaris Energy has agreed to acquire the energy business from Shell, in a deal which includes the global corporation’s Nigerian domestic gas distribution company. Anglo-Dutch international energy company Shell is to sell its entire interest in Shell Nigeria Gas Group (SNG) to Vaaris Energy. Energy-focused Nigerian law firm ENR Advisory acted for Vaaris on the agreement, which was announced on 13 October.
Greenland’s rare earth gamble
The twists and turns of a hotly contested mining rights dispute have wider implications for rare earth policy and geopolitics. A high-profile claim by Australian-owned Greenland Minerals (GM) against Greenland and Denmark took an unexpected turn in October 2025, when the tribunal held Denmark was not a party to the arbitration, directing that a substantial part of the dispute should instead be heard by a Greenland court.
Friday round-up: Compass Lexecon gains Brussels office head
The weekly disputes developments summary also includes multi-practitioner hires by HSF Kramer in Milan, Womble Bond Dickinson in Boston and Skadden in Chicago. The round-up begins in Belgium, where Compass Lexecon – the economic consulting division of FTI Consulting – has rehired ex-European Commission antitrust case handler Stéphane Dewulf from Oxera Consulting, as an executive vice president and head of its Brussels office.
Clifford Chance cuts ties with Singapore alliance partner
The 14-year alliance with Cavenagh Law is coming to an end, but the London-founded firm will still retain a presence in the Southeast Asian city state. The formal law alliance (FLA) between high-profile London-founded Clifford Chance and its smaller Singaporean counterpart Cavenagh Law is being dissolved by mutual consent, ending a 14-year collaboration.
SFO updates self-reporting guidance
More traders overturn rate-rigging rap Robert Li | October 8, 2026 Following Tom Hayes’ success in the UK Supreme Court last year, this week the Court of Appeal in London has […] Friday round-up: Switching in Singapore Robert Li | October 2, 2026 A high-profile Singaporean firm has rebooted as a contentious boutique, while London players continue to lure top-tier talent.
Mayer Brown bags new white-collar co-chair
An ex-Sheppard Mullin practice co-head has taken up a similar-level role at Mayer Brown, bringing extensive civil, criminal and investigations experience. Mayer Brown announced yesterday (13 October) the arrival of Joseph Jay as a partner and co-chair of its Washington, DC-based global investigations and white-collar defence practice.
Law Commission moots product liability reform
Improvements to the clarity, fairness and applicability of product liability law in the context of modern technology could be in the pipeline for England and Wales. A change to the law governing product liability in the largest UK jurisdiction has taken a step closer, as the Law Commission formally opened a consultation on 8 October.
Friday round-up: New East Asian practices open for business
A dual-qualified ex-Netflix Korea general counsel has struck out on her own in Seoul, while Withers has established a Japan disputes practice by hiring a former O’Melveny litigator. The round-up begins in South Korea, where Liz (Kyo-Hwa) Chung has launched her own practice in Seoul, LKC ADR, focusing on alternative dispute resolution (ADR)-related mandates.
Another victory for rate rigging city traders
Following Tom Hayes’ success in the UK Supreme Court last year, this week the Court of Appeal in London has allowed an appeal by a five-strong group of former Barclays employees, overturning their criminal convictions for benchmark rate manipulation. A group of five financial traders has succeeded in overturning their criminal convictions for rate rigging.
Europe: ratcheting risk of class actions
Class actions are back on an upward trend, and increasingly a non-negotiable part of doing business even in traditionally lower-risk European jurisdictions, according to the sixth version of a CMS report. The 2024 fall observed in European class actions appears to be an aberration, as evidenced by the upturn in number of group claims filed in 2025.
Meta slapped with Nigerian data protection fine
A group of claimants has secured USD 100,000 in damages after successfully arguing that the social networking behemoth engaged in behavioural advertising contrary to Nigerian law. A Nigerian non-governmental organisation has prevailed in its action against Meta for breach of data protection laws, a decision which the global tech giant has already appealed.
A&O Shearman gains German IP lawyer
A DLA Piper litigator with notable Unified Patent Court expertise is to join A&O Shearman next month in Munich. A&O Shearman announced on Thursday (1 October) its recruitment of Constanze Krenz in its Munich office, with her move taking effect on 1 November. Krenz has spent the past 11 years as a member of the German intellectual property (IP) and technology group at DLA Piper, which includes three years as a partner and a stint as managing partner of its Munich office.
WilmerHale doubles down on hiring
Friday round-up: Switching in Singapore Robert Li | October 2, 2026 A high-profile Singaporean firm has rebooted as a contentious boutique, while London players continue to lure top-tier talent. Haynes Boone lures London litigator to lead international disputes group Robert Li | October 1, 2026 A former Vinson & Elkins practice head has joined Haynes Boone, bringing extensive international energy and commercial disputes experience.
IBA Copenhagen: International law under pressure, warns IBA
The rules-based international legal order is in danger of being replaced by ‘might makes right’, warned the International Bar Association at the opening of its annual conference. The annual conference of the International Bar Association (IBA) began in Copenhagen last night (4 October), with legal, political and diplomatic leaders criticising the decline of international law and calling for the profession to stand against those who exercise power through violence and division.
Friday round-up: Switching in Singapore
A high-profile Singaporean firm has rebooted as a contentious boutique, while London players continue to lure top-tier talent. In Singapore, Oon & Bazul has relaunched as Bazul. The conclusion of a two-year transition from a full-service firm to a 10-partner, disputes-only boutique, it now operates under managing partner Bazul Ashhab, an experienced practitioner across business litigation, civil fraud and asset recovery.
Haynes Boone lures London litigator to lead international disputes group
EXCLUSIVE: Tamim Momeni unveils new firm Robert Li | October 1, 2026 Today’s official launch of London and Middle East-focused Momeni Partners in London is only the start, the founder tells CDR, […] UK Binance litigation adds a thousand new claimants Andrew Mizner | September 30, 2026 English group litigation against Binance now has 2,700 claimants for its dispute over the sale of derivatives.
EXCLUSIVE: Tamim Momeni unveils new firm
Today’s official launch of London and Middle East-focused Momeni Partners in London is only the start, the founder tells CDR, eyeing expansion plans. London boutique Momeni Partners opens for business today (1 October).
EXCLUSIVE: Report highlights central role of experts in competition disputes
The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal’s quandary in balancing simplicity and evidential rigour is having tangible effects on the role of the economic expert witness, according to Cornerstone Research. A report published this morning has highlighted the key role played by expert economic evidence in of mass competition claims.
Still stumped by lack of lumber resolution
O’Melveny rehires Leviss in DC Robert Li | September 28, 2026 A regulatory and enforcement lawyer who previously served in high-level public roles, including at the SEC, has returned to O’Melveny […] McGuireWoods amps up aviation abilities Robert Li | September 16, 2026 A former Boeing in-house litigation duo, including its ex-chief counsel for product liability, has returned to private practice on the […] Friday round-up: Beefing up the NZ barrister count Robert Li | September 11, 2026 An...
King & Spalding secures second September hire in Paris
A Freshfields counsel has defected to King & Spalding in the City of Light, stepping up to partner in the process. King & Spalding has recruited Julie Chapuy as a partner in its Paris-based international disputes practice, effective Friday (25 September). Chapuy joins after nine years at Freshfields, which included four years as a counsel.
O’Melveny rehires Leviss in DC
A regulatory and enforcement lawyer who previously served in high-level public roles, including at the SEC, has returned to O’Melveny & Myers. O’Melveny & Myers has rehired David Leviss as a partner in its Washington, DC-based health care practice and a member of its congressional investigations team, effective today (28 September).
Friday round-up: Broadfield bags Asia disputes head
London changes dominate in a week which saw a flurry of former DoJ officials moving to pastures new on the US East Coast. In Hong Kong, Broadfield, the international law firm alliance launched by Alvarez & Marsal and BDB Pitmans, has hired Hong Kong-based Jonathan Crompton as head of its Asia dispute resolution and investigations practice. He has joined after nine years at RPC, where he had a stint as Hong King disputes team leader.
McGuireWoods amps up aviation abilities
A former Boeing in-house litigation duo, including its ex-chief counsel for product liability, has returned to private practice on the US West Coast. McGuireWoods announced today (16 September) the hire of Allison Kendrick and David Lassen in Seattle as counsel and partner, respectively. Both are former high-level legal practitioners at global aerospace company Boeing.
Respondent garners little appeal in domain name dispute
Nominet UK’s Appeal Panel has rejected the respondent’s attempt to overturn a decision that transferred a domain name to a US beverage manufacturer. A UAE entity has failed in its appeal to regain the domain name ‘c5energy.uk’, which was previously held to be an abusive registration and had been transferred to a US company under the UK domain name registry’s Dispute Resolution Service (DRS).
New boutiques merge disputes and transactional talent
A disputes lawyer with experience advising Eastern European entities has teamed up with a transactional private wealth practitioner to launch a London boutique, while a new UAE firm has a similar origin story. This week has seen the launch of two new boutique firms. Rather than acting exclusively on disputes, both are set to benefit from cross-referral work from a co-dominant private wealth-focused transactional practice.
Dangote launches landmark oil IPO
The Nigerian conglomerate’s petroleum division has initiated its hotly anticipated USD 1.6 billion offering, the country’s largest IPO to date. Following a public signing ceremony at the Eko Hotel in Lagos on 7 September, Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE (DPRP)’s initial public offering (IPO) opened today (14 September) in what is set to be the largest ever flotation on the African continent.
Friday round-up: Beefing up the NZ barrister count
An ex-Quinn Emanuel London litigator has joined a New Zealand set, a new white-collar boutique has launched in Geneva and a Gibraltar practitioner has relocated to London. New Zealand barristers’ chambers Shortland Chambers has added Alex Nelder as a member. Formerly a senior associate at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan in London, Nelder’s broad disputes practice spans insolvency, fraud and contract matters.
Mayer Brown bumps up Brussels trade capabilities
A former legal officer at the WTO Appellate Body has left Baker McKenzie for Mayer Brown. Mayer Brown has recruited Pablo Bentes as a partner in its Brussels international trade practice, effective Monday (7 September). Bentes joins from the Geneva office of Baker McKenzie, where he spent just shy of seven years at partner level, including a stint as head of global international economic disputes.
Quarterly Focus: Mexico gives teeth to corruption regulator
A proposed reform will affect the Latin American country’s existing national anti-corruption organisation, granting the organising body’s advisory opinions mandatory force for the first time. Mexico’s current anti-corruption framework is likely to undergo significant changes later this year. Driven by President Claudia Sheinbaum of the ruling Morena party, the raft of reforms is scheduled to be debated in the country’s parliament beginning in September.
Fladgate fortifies London construction capabilities
An Irwin Mitchell partner with experience across an array of construction mandates has moved to Fladgate. Fladgate announced today (7 September) the hire of Alex Delin as a partner in its London disputes practice, and its wider construction, projects, infrastructure and energy group.
Friday round-up: Dentons welcomes Jakarta tax litigator
Ex-CMA bigwig brings GBP 2 billion class action against Apple Dippy Singh | September 4, 2026 The action contends that Apple executed an asymmetric, unfair and discriminatory app privacy framework that greatly disadvantaged UK app developers.
ArbCEE refreshes leadership
The Central and Eastern Europe-focused ADR industry group has announced the latest round of appointments, stemming from its first election since its founding three years ago. The Arbitration Association of Central and Eastern Europe (ArbCEE) announced on 1 September the results of its first election since its formation.
J&J litigation kingpin lured to Linklaters
The London-founded firm’s New York office has welcomed the health care player’s global litigation vice president, marking his return to private practice in New York. Linklaters has hired Erik Haas as a partner in its New York-based US litigation, arbitration and investigations practice, effective yesterday (1 September).
Sarkozy lawyer shifts to Signature in Paris
A civil and criminal litigator with high-profile experience has launched the disputes boutique’s Paris white-collar practice. Signature Litigation has hired partner Vincent Desry to launch its new Paris white-collar crime practice, effective today (1 September). Desry has joined following nearly two years’ partnership at New York-headquartered Cohen & Gresser, growing London-founded Signature’s French outpost to eight partners.
Friday round-up: HKA augments Australia accounting abilities
The weekly disputes developments summary takes in another Asian cooperation for the SIAC, and a public and environmental lawyer’s move from an international firm to a single-office boutique in Germany. The round-up begins in Australia, with the news that professional services provider HKA has recruited forensic accounting and quantum professional Sanjana Chandorkar.
HENA Holdings obtains USD 60 million financing for take-private deal
The facility from RMBV will bankroll the company’s purchase of a female-led health care provider in Africa and the Middle East. Egypt and North Africa-focused investment firm Riyada Managers (commonly known as RMBV) has approved a USD 60 million loan in favour of HENA Holdings. Egyptian law firm Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy provided legal advice to RMBV while international counterpart Baker McKenzie acted for HENA Holdings on the deal, which was structured as a convertible loan facility.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Robert
Contact Robert, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack