Morrison Foerster is an international law firm with lawyers practicing throughout the United States, Asia, and Europe. Click to discover more.

mofo_share_image.jpg

Morrison Foerster

common-default.jpeg

Terms / Notices

Cookies

Privacy Policy

Reporting Hotline

Attorney Advertising

Alumni

  Linkedin

MoFo LinkedIN

  Facebook

MoFo Facebook

YouTube

MoFo Youtube

Morrison Foerster - Footer

Morrison Foerster Named a Leading Firm by Chambers UK 2026

You have not solved the recaptcha challenge yet or session expired, try again.

Email Disclaimer

Disclaimer

Unsolicited e-mails and information sent to Morrison Foerster will not be considered confidential, may be disclosed to others pursuant to our <a href="https://www.mofo.com/about/privacy-policy.html">Privacy Policy</a>, may not receive a response, and do not create an attorney-client relationship with Morrison Foerster. If you are not already a client of Morrison Foerster, do not include any confidential information in this message. Also, please note that our attorneys do not seek to practice law in any jurisdiction in which they are not properly authorized to do so.

Feedback

mofo-logo-2022.svg

People

Capabilities

Resources

About

Community

Offices

Careers

Stay Connected

Morrison Foerster has earned three practice area rankings and seven individual recognitions in the 2026 edition of Chambers...

<h3>Sorry, we weren’t able to find the terms you entered.</h3>Please try a different term or keyword.

People

Capabilities

Resources

Not Found Cards

About Morrison Foerster

people-default-header-desktop.jpg

people-default-header-mobile.jpg

Default Meta Data

Morrison Foerster has earned three practice area rankings and seven individual recognitions in the 2026 edition of Chambers UK. The firm received the following practice area recognitions: <ul><li>UK-wide: Capital Markets: Debt </li><li>London: Information Technology & Outsourcing </li><li>London: Corporate Crime & Investigations </li></ul>The following lawyers in the firm’s London office were recognized: <ul><li>Scott Ashton, UK-wide: Capital Markets: Debt</li><li>Annabel Gillham, UK-wide: Data Protection & Information Law</li><li>Hayley Ichilcik, London: Financial Crime: Corporates</li><li>Alistair Maughan, London: Information Technology & Outsourcing</li><li>Mercedes Samavi: Information Technology & Outsourcing</li><li>Chiraag Shah, UK-wide: International Arbitration</li><li>Ben Summerfield, London: Commercial and Corporate Litigation </li></ul>From our office in the heart of London’s world-renowned financial district, our UK- and U.S.-qualified lawyers work with clients on complex, cross-border transactions and help them expand their businesses and manage risks. We handle some of the world’s largest cross‑border transactions and resolve some of the biggest disputes across multiple jurisdictions. Based in the thriving financial hub of the city, we have deep roots in the tech sector and a strong understanding of the intersection of law and technology. We advise dynamic tech companies on strategic matters that are shaping the future. Working alongside our colleagues in the United States and Asia, we draw on cultural, jurisdictional, and market knowledge to deliver the best-tailored advice and client service with a global approach. To view the complete list of Morrison Foerster’s rankings in the 2026 edition of Chambers UK, please visit the <a href="https://chambers.com/law-firm/morrison-foerster-uk-1:7854" target="_blank">publication’s website</a>.

Morrison Foerster Named a Leading Firm by Chambers UK 2026

Sign Up

Annabel Gillham is a member of our global Employment + Labor and Data, Cyber + Privacy groups. Described by clients as “excellent, very pragmatic, efficient and completely client-oriented”, she works across a variety of sectors, including technology, retail, and financial services, and frequently manages multi-jurisdictional advice for international clients. Her practice includes advice on:<ul><li>cross-border labor and employment matters</li><li>employee litigation</li><li>data privacy compliance management</li><li>data security breach management</li><li>internal and regulatory investigations</li></ul>Annabel regularly helps senior management and HR executives with the “people” aspects of takeovers, restructuring projects, business and share sales, and outsourcings. She also advises employers in relation to sensitive claims, such as unlawful discrimination, equal pay, and whistleblowing. Annabel also advises on team moves.She supports her clients on all aspects of General Data Protection Regulation compliance and regularly advises organizations facing ICO enforcement action. She has developed particular specialties in complex areas, such as the collection and use of data relating to criminal offenses and the application of data protection law to insolvency practitioners.As an experienced litigator with experience in helping clients defend group litigation, Annabel helps clients develop their strategy for responding to regulatory action and court claims relating to the use of employee and customer personal data. She regularly designs and presents employment and data protection law training and updates to senior managers and HR executives and is involved in preparing responses to UK government consultations.In addition, Annabel is qualified to practice in the British Virgin Islands, where she spent three years advising on cross border commercial litigation and insolvency matters, including high value board and shareholder disputes, freezing orders, and third-party disclosure orders.

Annabel Gillham

Partner

Hayley Ichilcik is a trusted adviser to companies, financial institutions and senior executives navigating their most complex legal, regulatory and geopolitical challenges. Her practice focuses on matters involving significant legal, regulatory and reputational risk, often across multiple jurisdictions and involving parallel criminal, regulatory and civil proceedings. She works closely with clients to assess the broader implications of these matters and develop practical, coordinated strategies that take account of both legal risk and commercial priorities.Hayley has extensive experience conducting internal investigations and representing clients in enforcement proceedings. She regularly advises on matters involving multiple authorities and overlapping legal and regulatory regimes. Her practice includes matters involving fraud, bribery and corruption, money laundering, tax evasion and other forms of corporate misconduct, as well as related governance and compliance issues.A significant focus of Hayley’s practice is advising clients on sanctions, export controls and national security-related risk. She helps multinational businesses navigate rapidly evolving UK and international sanctions and trade restrictions. Her work ranges from strategic advice on transactions, and market entry and exit, to regulatory compliance, licensing, engagement with UK government authorities and advice on enforcement matters.As Head of Morrison Foerster’s European Compliance Practice, Hayley works with boards, legal and compliance teams to identify and manage legal and regulatory risk. She advises on the design and effectiveness of compliance programmes, risk assessments and third-party diligence.Hayley was formerly an Investigative Lawyer at the Serious Fraud Office in the UK. Hayley is recognised by Chambers UK for Financial Crime: Corporates and by Legal 500 UK for Regulatory Investigations and Corporate Crime. Clients have praised her “great judgement on how to cut through everything” and described her as “…massively experienced with an enormous breadth of knowledge when dealing with the most complex cross-border regulatory investigations. She combines an excellent intellect with really practical application. Top quality.”

Hayley Ichilcik

Alistair Maughan co-leads Morrison Foerster's European Technology and Commercial Practice. He delivers commercial contracts and technology-based projects for major companies and public sector organizations. He advises on:<ul dir="ltr"><li>Commercial licensing and sales contracts</li><li>Service-based outsourcing transactions</li><li>Technology delivery models, such as cloud and as-a-service platforms</li><li>Contracts for the supply and acquisition of technology equipment</li><li>Key regulatory issues</li><li>Services and software</li><li>Agency and distribution contracts</li><li>Issues and contracts related to e-commerce</li><li dir="ltr">Drafting, negotiating, and advising on technology contracts and issues</li></ul>He advises on the deployment of new technology platforms involving, for example, the internet of things, AI and machine-learning, and blockchain and distributed ledger technology.He also has many years of experience of working alongside our corporate lawyers on the IP, technology and ongoing transitional services aspects of some of the largest technology sector M&A transactions in recent years.In recognition of his deep knowledge in this area, Alistair is recommended in leading independent guides to the legal profession, including Legal 500, Chambers UK, and Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom. Clients comment that he “is incredibly pragmatic, helpful, collaborative and smart” and “brings common sense to the negotiating table”. He “enjoys an excellent reputation as an outsourcing expert and for his deep experience in a wide range of technology issues” and “has a great ability to take a broad view and is proactive in finding legally correct solutions around the discussion points”.Alistair is a member of the Technology Transactions Group and the Global Sourcing Group.

Alistair Maughan

Senior Counsel

Mercedes Samavi regularly advises clients on a broad spectrum of commercial and technology matters, including complex tech licensing and digital regulatory compliance projects, with a particular emphasis on online safety, outsourcing arrangements, and corporate transactions.As part of her privacy and cybersecurity work, Mercedes has extensive experience helping clients develop global and pan-European programs and strategies to protect their data, respond to regulatory requests and investigations, and implement robust data and operational resilience contractual frameworks. In the words of her clients, “Mercedes Samavi is incredibly responsive and a dream to work with. Nothing is ever too much trouble, she will always go the extra mile to ensure the client’s needs are met, and her legal expertise is exceptional and her advice always delivered in a practical, realistic way for the client.” (The Legal 500 UK).In addition, Mercedes is involved with MoFo’s extensive pro bono practice and her pro bono work has been recognized by Morrison Foerster, which awarded her the 2019 Kathi Pugh Award for Pro Bono Service.She has also spent six months in each of MoFo’s Singapore and D.C. offices, as well as providing support on multiple client secondments across a wide variety of sectors.Mercedes is qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales. She is fluent in Farsi.

Mercedes Samavi

Of Counsel

Ben Summerfield is Managing Partner and Litigation Head for our London office.Ben advises clients on complex, high-value, cross-border commercial disputes. He represents clients in major litigation before the English courts and regularly manages the strategic coordination of litigation in other jurisdictions. Ben also regularly acts as lead counsel in international arbitrations.“[A] high-class litigator,” an “excellent tactician and strategist,” and “a powerhouse of a lawyer,” “Ben Summerfield is a genuine superstar – the complete package of legal knowledge, experience and judgment. You would always want him on your side in a difficult case.” He “really knows the case and gets to know the client to identify their desired outcome and achieve it.” "Ben is an extraordinarily hard-working litigator.”Ben has been ranked as a Leading Individual for Commercial Litigation for six consecutive years in the Legal 500 UK. He “controls matters at a strategic level with good commercial judgement and creative thinking, while always finding time to be on top of the detail of the legal and factual issues. An all-round star performer who inspires trust and confidence in clients and barristers alike.”Ben is considered to be “an extremely knowledgeable, dynamic litigator” and “he does not miss a trick. He has a lot of insight and is someone you really want as part of a team.”In addition, clients say that “Ben is an exceptional partner [who is] extremely bright and quick thinking with good judgement. While he has a good instinct, he backs that up with detailed research and careful thought. He is a good strategist and tirelessly promotes the interests of his clients going above and beyond in order to deliver a premium service.” Ben has also been described in the Legal 500 and Chambers directories as “very switched-on,” “bright, responsive and keen to get into the detail,” and “manages his team well, so as to bring out the best in everyone and ensure that the task at hand is completed efficiently. He is very determined in finding solutions and is a very versatile and strategic thinker. He is also good fun to work with, which is essential in difficult and intensive situations.".Before joining Morrison Foerster, Ben was a partner and co-chair of the commercial disputes group of another global law firm.Ben is qualified as a solicitor in England & Wales.