City law firm Collyer Bristow and Exeter-headquartered Michelmores have appointed new disputes leaders.
Collyer Bristow has hired Alex Vakil as a partner and head of commercial disputes. Vakil succeeds Robin Henry, who retires after twelve years at the firm.
Vakil joins after 18 months at Joelson, where he served as co-head of commercial litigation, before which he was a partner at RPC. Earlier in his career he worked at Osborne Clark, Pinsent Masons and Citi, alongside reserve service in the British Army as an officer for eight years.
Vakil advises businesses, entrepreneurs and senior executives on complex, high-value disputes, including breach of contract, professional negligence, shareholder disputes, defamation, breach of confidence, harassment, personal data and misuse of private information.
Daniel Simon, Collyer Bristow’s senior partner, said Vakil brings "exceptional experience, a strong reputation in the market and a proven ability to deliver results for clients."
Simon added: “His appointment reflects our continued investment in the commercial disputes practice and our commitment to strengthening an already successful offering as we continue to grow."
Earlier this year the firm hired family law partner Kate Moran from Collins & Hoy Solicitors, and over the course of 2025 added a string of senior lawyers including IP partner Sarah Coe from Clarke Wilmott, property lawyer Nick Mann from Seddons, private client partner Carly Russell from Lawrence Stephens and employment partner Karen Mortensen from Shoosmiths.
Also making a leadership change, this time from the Bar, is Michelmores, with the arrival of Twenty Essex silk Gordon Nardell KC as a partner and head of international arbitration and trade.
Nardell will join Michelmores in the autumn after a decade at the set, having previously been a member of 39 Essex Chambers for fifteen years.
Nardell wrote on LinkedIn: “I’ll be leading a new team developing this ambitious firm’s capacity in areas including sovereign disputes and international trade and investment, while continuing to provide a referral and co-counsel resource for the many friends in the profession I currently collaborate with.”
Twenty Essex were contacted for comment. The set recently announced its own new leadership team, with fellow arbitration specialist David Lewis KC appointed as co-head of chambers alongside Philip Edey KC.
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