Simpson Thacher & Bartlett has bolstered its disputes offering in London with the hire of a partner from rival Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom.  

David Edwards has joined the firm after nine years as a partner at Skadden. At Simpson Thacher he will co-lead the European disputes practice alongside London-based partner Tyler Robinson.  

“David’s track record of success for clients in high-stakes disputes in English courts, arbitration tribunals and other forums will help to expand our ability to provide clients with strategic advice on some of their most important multijurisdictional matters,” said Alden Millard, chair of Simpson Thacher’s executive committee. “David will be an excellent addition to our litigation department, and we are excited to welcome him to the firm.” 

Edwards counsels clients on matters including shareholder disputes, tax litigation, insurance-related disputes and other regulatory concerns. He counts major global companies, sponsors, financial institutions and ultra-high-net-worth individuals among his client base. 

At Skadden his work included acting for a consortium of venture partners to prevent BP from forming a $16bn alliance with Rosneft for the exploration of oil in the Arctic Circle, and for an ultra-high-net-worth individual in the English Commercial Court to strike-out a $380m civil fraud claim brought by oil giant Tatneft.  

Edwards also advises clients on international corporate crisis and strategy matters and on ESG-related issues. Before joining Skadden as an associate in 2009 he practised at O’Melveny & Myers, and before that was at Watson Farley & Williams.  

“David has a stellar reputation for developing novel strategies and delivering results for clients confronting complex cross-border disputes, and his hire marks an important investment in our growing disputes team in London,” said Lynn Neuner, co-chair of Simpson Thacher’s litigation department. 

According to the firm’s website Edwards has joined Simpson Thacher as the fifth partner in its London disputes team, where along with Robinson, a commercial disputes specialist, he will work alongside antitrust partners Antonio Bavasso, Ross Ferguson and Étienne Renaudeau.  

His hire follows Simpson Thacher hiring funds partner Katie McMenamin in London last December from leading UK independent Travers Smith. Her arrival followed funds partners Ed Ford and Sacha Gofton-Salmond joining from Travers earlier in the year, as the firm positioned itself to exploit the increasingly lucrative secondaries deals market.   

In the summer the firm also bolstered its London private equity bench with the hire of partner Angus Lennox from longtime client Blackstone, and now has more than 50 partners in the City.  

Skadden thanked Edwards for his contribution to the firm and wished him the best.

Earlier this week, Sir Max Hill KC, the former Director of Public Prosecutions of England and Wales, joined top 20 US law firm King & Spalding’s London office as a counsel.