Squire Patton Boggs has added another new International Dispute Resolution (IDR) partner to its New York office. Specialist international arbitration partner John Branson has joined the firm from Womble Bond Dickinson. At the same time, the firm has also added two new IDR associates Kristina Moore and Maleeha Khan to its team in New York.
Mr. Branson acts on complex, cross-border disputes with a focus on commercial and investment treaty claims. He has represented the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos) in all of its international arbitrations for the last six years, including obtaining, in August of this year, a complete dismissal of investment claims against Laos allegedly valued at US$1 billion. Most recently, he was lead counsel on behalf of Laos in an investment arbitration against an alleged US$600 million claim under multiple investment treaties, each consolidated for administration under the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).
Mr. Branson’s experience also includes advising clients and appearing as counsel in arbitrations under most of the leading institutions, including PCA, SIAC, Swiss Rules, LCIA and ICDR, as well as ad hoc arbitrations under UNCITRAL Rules. In addition to international arbitration, he defends and prosecutes claims before US federal and state courts.
“John is an exceptional partner, with his experience of representing sovereign nations in investment treaty arbitrations making him a perfect fit with our market-leading team,” comments Stephen Anway, partner and IDR Practice Group Co-leader.
Joining the firm from Jones Day, Kristina Moore’s practice focuses on arbitration and investment disputes, particularly under international investor-state laws. Maleeha Khan was a Judicial Fellow for The Honorable Charles N. Brower, an independent arbitrator, and previously trained with Shearman & Sterling in London.
“Our new arrivals have given us greater bench strength in New York, while John also expands our relationships in Asia Pacific, both of which are strategic priorities for our practice,” adds Mr. Anway.
Mr. Branson is the eighth new partner to join the firm’s IDR Practice Group this year, with Ali Gursel in New York, and Cameron Ford in Singapore, together with Eveli Lume (Berlin), Mária Poláková (Prague), Max Rockall (London) and David Starkoff (Sydney), who were all promoted to the partnership.
George von Mehren, IDR Practice Group Co-leader, comments: “We have grown our global practice substantially this year, with the arrival of John, Kristina and Maleeha, and other appointments around the world increasing the size of our group to more than 135 lawyers in 24 offices. The expertise of our team, coupled with our track record in investment treaty arbitrations, is unparalleled, giving us a strong and unique position in this field.”
Partner Carolyn Buller, who leads the firm’s New York office, says, “John will form part of a formidable IDR team in New York, alongside Miriam, Ali and fellow partners Luka Misetic and Stephen Anway. We are excited by John’s arrival and for what the future holds for this dynamic team.”
The Squire Patton Boggs IDR Practice is ranked 18th in Global Arbitration Review’s 2019 ranking of the top 30 international arbitration firms in the world. The team is experienced in practicing before virtually every major international dispute body in the world.
