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Morrison Foerster Celebrates 18 Recognitions in Chambers UK 2027

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Morrison Foerster has once again been recognized among the UK’s leading law firms in the Chambers UK 2027 guide, securing 15 individual recognitions, including eight new rankings, across a broad range of disciplines. We’ve also maintained all of our practice area rankings including in Information Technology & Outsourcing and in Corporate Crime & Investigations.The results highlight the depth and breadth of the firm’s London capabilities and reflect the strength of the firm’s lawyers in advising clients on complex legal challenges in an increasingly interconnected global market.Reflecting the team’s experience and capabilities across a wide range of practice areas, nine lawyers from the firm’s London office received individual recognition:<ul><li>Saqib Alam – London: Corporate Crime & Investigations</li><li>Susana Cao Miranda – London: Commercial and Corporate Litigation; Commercial and Corporate Litigation: Individual Representation; Group Litigation: Respondent; and UK-wide: Banking Litigation</li><li>Annabel Gillham – London: Employment: Employer; and UK-wide: Data Protection & Information Law</li><li>Hayley Ichilcik – London: Corporate Crime & Investigations</li><li>Lara King – London: Employment: Employer</li><li>Alistair Maughan – London: Information Technology & Outsourcing</li><li>Mike Pierides – London: Information Technology & Outsourcing</li><li>Mercedes Samavi – Information Technology & Outsourcing</li><li>Ben Summerfield – London: Commercial and Corporate Litigation; Commercial and Corporate Litigation: Individual Representation; and Shareholder Litigation</li></ul>Located in the heart of one of the world’s leading financial centres, our London office brings together UK- and U.S.-qualified lawyers who advise clients on sophisticated cross-border transactions, high-stakes disputes, and evolving regulatory challenges. With deep roots in the technology sector and a strong understanding of the intersection of business, law, and innovation, our London team works with companies navigating some of today’s most complex and consequential issues.Collaborating seamlessly with colleagues across the United States and Asia, we combine local market insight with international reach to help clients seize opportunities, manage risk, and achieve their strategic ambitions.To view the complete list of Morrison Foerster’s rankings in the 2027 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 Celebrates 18 Recognitions in Chambers UK 2027

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Saqib Alam is an English solicitor, New York attorney, and Singapore advocate, who advises global companies, boards, and high-net-worth individuals facing business-critical issues and helps them resolve such matters from a legal, reputational, and government enforcement standpoint. A leading practitioner in this field, Saqib has been ranked by Chambers and Partners for four-years running in Band 1 (the top tier) for Crisis & Risk Management: UK-Wide.Saqib has acted in investigations and corporate crises covering more than 30 countries around the world and has helped companies and individuals resolve issues with the governments of the United States, United Kingdom, Brazil, Germany, India, and Singapore. Practicing in London for the last 16 years, Saqib has helped resolve issues and crises related to corporate governance failures, employee misconduct, national security issues, cyberattacks, bribery, fraud, human rights violations, miscarriages of justice, racism, money laundering, sanctions, and antitrust violations for some of the most well-known organizations and individuals in the world. Saqib regularly advises companies and individuals facing concurrent issues in multiple countries and has experience reaching coordinated and global resolutions with government agencies and third parties around the world.Chambers and Partners recognizes Saqib as a “genuine leader in the crisis space in London.” It goes on to state that “Saqib’s dedication to client service is exceptional” and that he understands “how legal investigations may play out in both the press and the political arena.”Saqib has extensive experience guiding companies through investigations relating to UK government contracts. He is currently advising a large global multinational company involved in a high-profile UK Public Inquiry. Saqib also advises companies and senior executives called upon to give evidence in UK Parliamentary Select Committee hearings. As a key part of this work, Saqib works alongside media and public affairs advisers in assisting companies manage reputational risk and adverse media coverage.Saqib also represents clients in cross-border litigation and dispute resolution. Together with his U.S. colleagues and local counsel in foreign jurisdictions, he helps companies and individuals engage in, and resolve, time-critical and tactical litigation.Saqib graduated from King’s College, University of London, with First Class Honors in Law in 2006. From 2007 to 2009, he served as a Justice’s Law Clerk in the Supreme Court of Singapore and as an Assistant Registrar in the High Court of Singapore. He is admitted to practice in New York, England, and Singapore.Saqib is a regular writer and speaker on investigations and crisis management and has written op-eds for Bloomberg, Reuters, and the WSJ, among others.Outside of law, Saqib serves as Chair of the board of trustees for Operation Smile UK. Founded in 1982, Operation Smile is a charity that provides free life-changing cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care around the world. Saqib also has a keen interest in hospitality and service design and holds several certifications from École hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) hospitality business school in Switzerland.

Saqib Alam

Partner

Susana Cao Miranda’s practice is focussed on litigation, multi-party claims/group actions and contentious regulatory matters for clients in heavily regulated sectors.She has a broad range of experience in litigation before the English Courts and other jurisdictions including proceedings involving general commercial litigation, finance litigation, mass tort and parent company liability claims, investment fraud and claims relating to breaches of competition law.Her quality and work is recognised by ratings in the major directories. Susana has been ranked for several years as a Leading Individual for Banking Litigation in Chambers UK and The Legal 500 UK.Client’s value Susana’s strategic thinking combined with an outstanding grasp on the commercial and business drivers at play in high-stakes disputes. In this respect, Susana draws on the in-house experience she gained as a Managing Director and Senior Counsel post GFC at a global US-headquartered financial institution based in London responsible for litigation and contentious regulatory proceedings across EMEA.Susana is Spanish and frequently works on Spanish-language disputes with Spanish and Latin American clients.<h4>Representative Experience</h4><ul><li>Representing Telefonica SA and Telefonica Europe in the defence of competition law claims brought in the English High Court by the administrators of Phones4U against the UK mobile network operators and parent companies.</li><li>Representing Xstrata and its subsidiary in the defence of mass tort claims brought in the English High Court by multiple individuals claiming injury and unlawful detention at the hands of the Peruvian National Police, during the course of a violent protest at one of the defendant’s mines in Peru in 2012.</li><li>Representing global energy companies in the defence of regulatory enforcement proceedings commenced by Ofgem for alleged licence and/or REMIT infringements.</li><li>Representing Goldman Sachs International in the defence of claims for rescission of substantial derivative trades for undue influence and unconscionable bargain.</li></ul>

Susana Cao Miranda

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

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

Lara King is an associate in Morrison Foerster’s global Labor + Employment Group. She advises domestic and international clients on both contentious and non-contentious employment matters across a variety of sectors, including technology, financial services and energy.In addition to working with clients on the full spectrum of “day-to-day” employment law issues - from recruitment to terminations and everything in between - and advising on the employment aspects of complex cross-border transactions from a UK perspective, executive compensation, litigation and internal investigations, Lara has particular experience advising clients on employee data subject access requests and employment-related issues in a regulatory context. Lara also routinely manages cross-border employment advice for international clients, particularly in relation to information and consultation obligations on transactions and workforce changes.Lara received her B.A. in Jurisprudence from the University of Oxford in 2013, and subsequently completed the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law in 2015. During her training contract, Lara spent six months on secondment in Morrison & Foerster’s Singapore office.Lara is qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales.

Lara King

Associate

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

Mike Pierides advises on strategic technology and commercial transactions across a number of different industries. Mike is recognized by Chambers and Legal 500 as an authority on technology and outsourcing transactions. His areas of focus include global transactions involving the procurement of AI systems and AI-related infrastructure such as data centre and neocloud arrangements, and technology arrangements such as cloud and as-a-service arrangements. He also has a particular focus on the intersection of technology and financial services. He advises customers and suppliers in the technology, financial services, life sciences and pharma, and travel and aviation industries, amongst others. One of the most experienced outsourcing lawyers globally, with two decades advising on the most complex multi-jurisdictional arrangements. His commercial focus includes distribution agreements, IP licensing arrangements, and strategic restructurings following divestments, carve-outs or acquisitions. Mike’s practice also includes data privacy and cybersecurity law, and he supports clients across a number of data privacy needs, including transactional support and privacy and security advisory support and assessments. Clients and sources told Chambers that “Mike is detailed, has incredible depth of knowledge and ensures he understands your business and the unique aspects of the engagement” and “He is an expert at successfully managing complex stakeholder environments on large-scale matters. He speaks truth to clients, setting realistic expectations whilst delivering results.” Mike was also nominated as an Acritas Star Lawyer, with a client noting that he is “an expert in the industry and in the specific subject matter that we’ve asked advice on.” <h4>Representative Experience </h4><ul><li>Represented numerous clients, including in the financial services and travel industries, on the procurement and deployment of complex AI solutions, including agentic AI technology </li><li>Represented a neocloud provider on multiple, multi-billion dollar GPU procurement and deployment arrangements, in the US and Europe </li><li>Represented a global bank on multiple, financial services regulated platform and outsourcing arrangements </li><li>Represented numerous clients on complex outsourcing arrangements, across all manner of ITO and BPO services </li><li>Represented multiple clients on data sharing and licensing arrangements, and data commercialization initiatives </li><li>Represented a global airline on the procurement of its new passenger service systems, undertaken pursuant to a competitive bid process, in parallel with renegotiating its global distribution arrangements </li><li>Negotiating data handling and transfer provisions and agreements for numerous clients (both customer and supplier entities) across industries and geographies</li></ul>

Mike Pierides

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.