Top 30 LB100 firm Nabarro has bolstered its City disputes capability with the addition of DLA Piper’s IT litigation head Lee Gluyas.
Gluyas specialises in both commercial litigation and arbitration in complex IT disputes. Having acted for and against technology companies, the 424-lawyer firm said his appointment is part of a strategic move to build on its existing presence in the sector.
Acknowledged by the Legal 500 as ‘considered and calm’, Gluyas joins a team whose high-profile casework includes acting in ongoing litigation relating to the collapse of Lehman Brothers and Kaupthing, and achieving a landmark rectification decision in one of the largest pension litigation cases in recent years, on behalf of the trustees of IBM’s UK pension plan. Other prominent cases include advising on the Greater Gabbard Offshore Winds dispute, and on behalf of US computer technology corporation Oracle in its successful Supreme Court appeal in the parallel imports case against M-Tech Data.
Nabarro’s head of dispute resolution, Jonathan Warne said: ‘Lee’s appointment is an important part of our strategy for growing the disputes team. The depth of his expertise and understanding of the technology sector will complement the work many others around the firm are also engaged in. When disputes occur in the IT sector, they are often complex, cross-border and high value. We have a strong track record of delivering successful results for clients in this space, a track record that will be enhanced greatly by Lee’s addition to the team.’
Senior partner Graham Stedman added: ‘[The firm] acts for many high profile technology firms including Oracle, Twitter and Google, not to mention an array of fast growth tech start-ups. Strengthening our expertise in this growth sector is timely. Continuing to strengthen our dispute resolution practice, which forms an essential element of our international growth, is equally important for the future growth of the firm.’
The firm, which posted a healthy 22% profit rise to £42.5m in its 2012/13 limited liability partnership accounts in January, has made selective hires to its City office in recent months, including taking on Osborne Clarke partner Richard Brown in September last year to head its employment practice.
The news of Gluyas’ move to Nabarro follows the firm’s announcement yesterday (6 March) that French firm August & Debouzy has left its European alliance. The firm’s head of international Patricia Godfrey is now leading a team from across the alliance, which includes Germany’s GSK Stockmann + Kollegen, Italian firm Nunziante Magrone and Spanish firm Roca Junyent, to find a new French partner, and exploring interest from firms in other parts of Europe.
Sarah.downey@legalease.co.uk
