London disputes boutique Alius Law has hired Clyde & Co aviation litigator Richard Mumford as a partner, adding nearly three decades of experience to its disputes practice.
Mumford specialises in complex cross-border disputes involving aircraft and engine finance, leasing, repossessions, chartering, maintenance, parts supply, regulatory investigations, insurance claims and fraud, adding experience spanning more than 60 jurisdictions. His focus on owners and lessors is timely for Alius given the sustained operational and geopolitical pressure across aviation markets worldwide.
Mumford arrives after five years at Clyde & Co, having joined when it acquired his previous firm – REN Legal – where he was a partner. Before REN, Mumford worked at Stevens & Bolton and spent nine years as head of dispute resolution at ASB Law.
Earlier in his career, he worked at the Financial Services Authority as a manager in its enforcement division. Mumford is a former chairman of the Baltic Air Charter Association and a fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.
“Aviation finance is going through one of the most turbulent periods I have seen in 25 years, and clients need advisers who can move fast and think commercially,” Mumford said.
“I was drawn to Alius as they prioritise client outcomes without the constraints of traditional law firm structures. I am looking forward to working alongside a team that shares that mindset and contributing to a firm that can genuinely claim to be the market leader in aviation finance disputes.”
Founded in 2021 by commercial litigator Bree Taylor, a former nominee at the Women and Diversity in Law Awards, Alius focuses on high-value international disputes. The firm said the move would assist Mumford to act against airlines, equipment manufacturers and insurers without conflicts, while maintaining long-term advisory relationships with leasing companies.
Taylor said Mumford’s arrival reflected the calibre of lawyer it had sought to attract since its launch.
“Aviation disputes are a key practice area for Alius Law, and we are delighted to welcome Richard, who has invaluable expertise and strong relationships in this area,” she said.
Taylor added that clients were facing increasingly complex and high-value disputes driven by supply-chain problems, tariffs, economic uncertainty and wars in the Middle East, Ukraine and Russia.
The firm previously hired Fladgate insolvency and restructuring co-head Ben Drew in 2024, alongside private equity disputes specialist Lucy Vials and fellow Fladgate alumnus John Ford, who arrived shortly after the firm’s foundation.
Mumford’s exit follows several high-profile departures from Clyde & Co this year. In February, Robert Lawson KC returned to Quadrant Chambers and former head of international arbitration Ben Knowles joined Keystone Law with two other partners. In June, arbitration partner Loukas Mistelis joined Steptoe, energy partner Richard Power moved to Fieldfisher, while Kennedys rehired aviation partner Rob Ireland.
A Clyde & Co spokesperson said: “We appreciate all Richard has accomplished during his time with us and wish him every success in the future", adding: "Within our global aviation practice, we have recruited or promoted six partners this year, further expanding our team of more than 100 aviation specialists across 20 offices worldwide.
Over the last 12 months, Clyde & Co has made 38 lateral partner hires and promoted 28 partners across a wide variety of practice areas, although GLP understands it has also recorded 46 partner departures.
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