Alston & Bird has expanded its Litigation & Trial Practice Group and its International Arbitration & Dispute Resolution Team with the addition of Will Hooker as a partner in the firm’s London office. Will has broad experience handling high-stakes international commercial arbitration in energy, financial services, telecommunications, and other sectors. He advises clients on investor-state arbitrations, disputes between joint venture partners, and complex arbitration stemming from mergers and acquisitions.
“We are delighted to welcome Will, whose seasoned perspective and sharp judgment will expand our international arbitration practice and increase our litigation and arbitration presence in London,” said Matt Richardson, co-chair of Alston & Bird’s Litigation & Trial Practice Group and co-chair of the firm’s International Arbitration & Dispute Resolution Team. Alex Yanos, also co-chair of the team, said, “Will’s reputation for delivering trusted advice and sound legal advocacy complements our strong, U.S.-based international arbitration practice and strengthens the value we bring to clients around the world.”
Will has significant experience appearing as a solicitor advocate in English courts in arbitration-related matters, and his practice includes work on behalf of clients around the globe, including numerous European and Middle Eastern companies.
“It’s a privilege to join forces with Alston & Bird in London, where I will apply my passion for tackling the most complicated matters to build on the firm’s well-established and reputable arbitration offering,” said Will. “My new colleagues share my commitment to providing clients with collaborative service, agility, and intellectual rigor, especially when it comes to situations that require sensitivity and a deep understanding of the business landscape.”
The arrival of Will Hooker to Alston & Bird’s Litigation & Trial Practice Group is the latest example of the firm’s ongoing commitment to strategic expansion of its litigation footprint in London, including the addition of Financial Services Litigation partner Nick Brocklesby earlier this year.
Alston & Bird’s International Arbitration & Dispute Resolution Team handles high-stakes and complex commercial disputes in administered and ad hoc arbitrations around the world. The attorneys work diligently to ensure that disputes are decided impartially, quickly, and so that any award is enforceable globally. They use arbitration to resolve contractual disputes with foreign companies so that clients’ claims are heard by a neutral, sophisticated tribunal. As a result, the team has advised on some of the largest international commercial arbitrations in the world, including matters where the amount in controversy exceeded US$5 billion.
The team represents clients in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East in treaty-based arbitrations involving energy, natural resources, infrastructure, and construction, as well as commercial arbitrations involving intellectual property, competition law, business disputes, construction, and energy. The team has arbitrated under the rules of almost every major global arbitral institution, including the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), AAA’s International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC), London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC), and Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC).