header-logo header-logo

01 February 2023
Categories: Movers & Shakers , Profession
printer mail-detail

Charles Russell Speechlys—John Lewis & Alison Goldthorp

Dispute resolution practice welcomes two partners in London and Dubai

Charles Russell Speechlys has announced the appointment of two new partners to its expanding litigation and dispute resolution practice. Partner John Lewis joins the firm’s Dubai office and Alison Goldthorp joins within the restructuring and insolvency team in London on 6 February. 

John is an experienced commercial litigation and arbitration practitioner within the UAE market. Since 2006, he has developed a specialist practice within the regulatory, audit, advisory and consulting sectors which focuses primarily on professional indemnity defence related instructions and commercial litigation and arbitration matters. His work encompasses a wide variety of disputes before civil law, common law and international arbitration tribunals within the Middle East, and he has been instructed on some of the most high-profile disputes within the region.

His local and international client base lean on his ability to seamlessly navigate them through the practical realities and nuances of the region as well as his commercial led approach gained from his on-the-ground experience. John also regularly sits as an arbitrator in arbitration proceedings.

With over 30 years’ experience, Alison (pictured) is a leader within the restructuring and insolvency profession. She is well versed on guiding her client base of corporates, directors, creditors, and financial institutions through both contentious and non-contentious matters relating to underperforming or distressed assets. The collaborative, cross practice nature of her work enables her to advise across various sectors, including real estate, employment, financial services, and litigation as well as draw on expertise from across the firm.

Alison displays an entrepreneurial mindset on behalf of directors, insolvency practitioners and creditors and looks to provide practical advice, where possible to avoid the need for formal insolvency procedures.  Alison joins the Firm at an exciting time for CRI as we look to grow our global reputation across our international office footprint and the markets they serve.

Stewart Hey, partner and head of the litigation and dispute resolution practice, comments: 'We are pleased to welcome two more new joiners to our Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice in such quick succession. Alison and John’s timely arrival demonstrates our commitment to the growth and development of our practice at an international and local level. We are focused on building on the success of internationally renowned projects across key global markets.'

Patrick Gearon, partner and head of the Middle East practice, adds: 'Both John and Alison are highly experienced lawyers with market leading credentials and have an impressive client base. 2023 is an exciting year for Charles Russell Speechlys as we continue to focus on strengthening our existing presence in the legal market through high-calibre international recruits.'

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Kennedys—Milan Devani

Kennedys—Milan Devani

Chief information officer appointment strengthens technology leadership

Maguire Family Law—Hannah Barlow & Sophie Hughes

Maguire Family Law—Hannah Barlow & Sophie Hughes

Firm strengthens Wilmslow team with two solicitor appointments

DWF—Ian Plumley

DWF—Ian Plumley

Londoninsurance and reinsurance practice announces partner appointment

NEWS
The Supreme Court has delivered a decisive ruling on termination under the JCT Design & Build form. Writing in NLJ this week, Andrew Singer KC and Jonathan Ward, of Kings Chambers, analyse Providence Building Services v Hexagon Housing Association [2026] UKSC 1, which restores the first-instance decision and curbs contractors’ termination rights for repeated late payment
Secondments, disciplinary procedures and appeal chaos all feature in a quartet of recent rulings. Writing in NLJ this week, Ian Smith, barrister and emeritus professor of employment law at UEA, examines how established principles are being tested in modern disputes
The AI revolution is no longer a distant murmur—it’s at the client’s desk. Writing in NLJ this week, Peter Ambrose, CEO of The Partnership and Legalito, warns that the ‘AI chickens’ have ‘come home to roost’, transforming not just legal practice but the lawyer–client relationship itself
A High Court ruling involving the Longleat estate has exposed the fault line between modern family building and historic trust drafting. Writing in NLJ this week, Charlotte Coyle, director and family law expert at Freeths, examines Cator v Thynn [2026] EWHC 209 (Ch), where trustees sought approval to modernise trusts that retain pre-1970 definitions of ‘child’, ‘grandchild’ and ‘issue’
Fresh proposals to criminalise ‘nudification’ apps, prioritise cyberflashing and non-consensual intimate images, and even ban under-16s from social media have reignited debate over whether the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023) is fit for purpose. Writing in NLJ this week, Alexander Brown, head of technology, media and telecommunications, and Alexandra Webster, managing associate, Simmons & Simmons, caution against reactive law-making that could undermine the Act’s ‘risk-based and outcomes-focused’ design
back-to-top-scroll