Travers Smith has hired arbitration specialist Andy Moody from Baker McKenzie to strengthen its London disputes practice.
Moody, who was previously chair of international arbitration and London head of dispute resolution at Baker McKenzie, joins as a partner, bringing deep experience in international commercial and investment treaty arbitrations, as well as High Court disputes.
He leaves Baker McKenzie after 10 years, having joined from legacy Eversheds in 2016, where he spent nearly six years, three of them as a partner. He also previously practised at legacy McDermott Will & Emery and Norton Rose Fulbright.
Writing on social media, Moody said: “Leaving behind valued colleagues and friends is never easy, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities and friendships I have developed at Baker [McKenzie].”
He added: “I have been fortunate to work with great clients on some of their most significant arbitration matters and privileged to be in the trenches on those cases with such a talented team. I have also thoroughly enjoyed leading the London disputes team and chairing the global arbitration practice. Both of those groups are filled with exceptional people.”
Moody has managed many significant disputes in the energy industry, and his expertise also covers infrastructure, healthcare, industrials and transport. He specialises in complex post-M&A and joint venture cases.
Moody serves as lead counsel in ‘bet-the-company’ arbitrations, including high-value disputes involving global corporates and investor claims against states. He also regularly works closely with corporate teams on transaction-related disputes.
Alongside his client work, he has held a range of leadership roles in the arbitration community, sitting as an arbitrator and serving as vice chair of the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution’s committee on energy, oil and gas.
He is a former co-chair of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) Young International Arbitration Group, among other appointments.
Travers Smith is well known for its litigation acumen – the long-running Autonomy litigation being one highlight among many – with particular expertise in commercial, private equity and corporate cases, and clients ranging from Sports Direct to former Glencore chairman Tony Hayward. It has also built up a good reputation for class action defence.
While Travers has advised clients in international arbitration proceedings before some of the key arbitral institutions, including the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the LCIA, it has lacked a dedicated senior specialist in the field – something Moody brings to the firm.
Edmund Reed, Travers’ managing partner, said Moody’s arrival “comes as our disputes team enters a new phase of focus and ambition”, adding: “Andy’s arbitration expertise will further strengthen our capabilities in this critical practice area. I am confident that Andy will make a significant contribution to both our firm and our clients.”
Heather Gagen, who leads Travers’ dispute resolution team, said that Moody’s “stellar reputation and extensive expertise in international arbitration will be invaluable as we take our disputes practice from strength to strength”, adding: “I look forward to working closely with him and am excited about all that he will bring to our practice in this key area.”
Moody said he looked forward to contributing to Travers’ continued success and “working with my new partners to develop and grow their arbitration practice”.
His arrival follows that of Andrew Howard from Deloitte earlier this month. Baker McKenzie was contacted for comment.
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