Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has announced the appointment of Ania Farren as a Partner to further bolster the Firm’s growing International Arbitration practice.
Ania joins BLP on 1 May 2016 and will be based in London. This appointment delivers on the Firm’s strategy of growing its international disputes practice and builds on the complex, cross-border dispute resolution work which the team already advises on across its 14 offices globally.
She joins BLP from K&L Gates, where she played a key role in building up the profile and reputation of the firm’s arbitration practices. Ania is viewed as one of the ‘up and coming’ international arbitrators in the UK, has exceptional knowledge of the international arbitration community and considerable experience in investor/state arbitrations. Her excellent technical ability will provide even greater bench strength to the Firm’s London based team.
At BLP Ania will focus on advising clients across the network, with particular emphasis on London, Moscow, Asia and the Middle East where the Firm’s International Arbitration practices are strong. Using her experience and connections she will also help to develop the Firm’s client base in sectors including Energy, which is a key focus for BLP, along with Infrastructure, Construction, Financial Institutions, Commodities and Manufacturing.
Nathan Willmott, Head of Litigation and Corporate Risk, BLP, commented: “Ania is a fantastic addition to the team and her focus on major energy, commodities and infrastructure disputes fits perfectly with our core strengths. Although based in London, she will work closely with our international arbitration practices across Hong Kong, Singapore, Moscow, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. With the volatility in oil prices set to continue, many of our clients are facing difficult times and Ania’s addition to the global team will enable us to offer them an even stronger capability.
“Ania is already a leading figure among the arbitration community and her experience and skills are a perfect fit for our international arbitration practice. We look forward to working with her to help meet the demands of our clients both in London and globally.”
Ania has been ranked in Chambers & Partners UK for the last four years. Her appointment follows on from the Firm’s recent hire (25 January 2016) of International Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Partner Raza Mithani into its Dubai office and reiterates the Firm’s commitment to strengthening its International Arbitration practice.
BLP has a growing team of International Arbitration specialists. In addition to Ania Farren, recent hires include Hong Kong-based Glenn Haley and Geoff Shaw, as well as Partner Raza Mithani in the Firm’s Dubai office. Recent work has included representing the second largest Russian Bank in two LCIA arbitrations with matter values of US$135m and US$145m and representing a leading Russian insurer/reinsurer in a dispute with its German and Swiss reinsurers following the collapse of a hydropower plant in Russia worth nearing 75m Euros.
