Travers Smith LLP is delighted to announce the hire of Andy Moody as a partner in its Dispute Resolution practice.
Andy joins Travers Smith from Baker McKenzie, where he was Global Chair of International Arbitration and London Head of Dispute Resolution. Andy is a highly regarded arbitration specialist, with deep experience in international commercial and investment treaty arbitrations, as well as English High Court disputes. While he has handled numerous major disputes in the energy sector, his expertise extends across infrastructure, healthcare, industrials, and transport, with a particular focus on complex post-M&A and joint venture cases. Andy serves as lead counsel in “bet the company” arbitrations, including high-value disputes for global corporates and claims by investors against States. Andy also regularly works closely with corporate teams on disputes matters arising from transactions. Alongside his client work, Andy has held a range of leadership roles in the arbitration community, and is recognised for his strategic approach and thought leadership, both in the London market and internationally.
Andy will join the dispute resolution team, led by partner Heather Gagen, and he will focus on arbitration mandates. Recent highlights of disputes led by the Travers Smith team include:
- Currently advising French football club Olympique Lyonnais in defending Business and Property Court proceedings brought by US investment manager PRPF LLC arising from a disputed assignment by Brazilian club Botafogo FR of a player transfer fee to PRPF, raising complex multi-jurisdictional issues concerning conflicts of laws between FIFA/Swiss law and English law, and the interaction of FIFA Regulations with English receivables financing law.
- Currently advising shipbuilding giant Fincantieri against a claim brought by Carnival, arising from propulsion failures on the cruise ship Carnival Panorama that led to cancelled voyages in November 2023. The multi-jurisdictional case, covering England, Italy and the US, involves complex questions of contractual interpretation and technical engineering issues, with expert evidence from engineers, metallurgists, tribologists and forensic accountants. The English case goes to trial in February 2027.
- Currently acting for Dnata Catering UK in a dispute with American Airlines relating to the allegedly unlawful breach of a catering contract at London Heathrow Airport.
- We advised Sports Direct in a competition law claim against Newcastle United, JD Sports and adidas, alleging abuse of dominance and anti-competitive agreements after Newcastle United refused to supply its official replica kit to Sports Direct for the 2024/25 season. The case was settled on confidential terms.
- We acted for Tony Hayward, former Chairman of Glencore plc, in the defence of approximately £300 million in claims arising from allegedly misleading statements in the company's IPO prospectus, a case that generated significant legal and public attention, including a landmark Supreme Court judgment that reversed the longstanding "Shareholder Principle" and reshaped English law on privilege. The claims against Mr Hayward were settled on confidential terms.
- Advising several clients in international arbitration proceedings before some of the key arbitral institutions, including most recently representing clients in substantive hearings before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA).
- Advising on several sensitive and confidential investigations, including acting as an independent legal adviser for regulatory investigations, providing crisis management and disputes advice as part of workplace and cultural investigations, and carrying out investigations following allegations of fraud.
The addition of Andy follows the recent arrival of Employment partner Andrew Howard.
Edmund Reed, Managing Partner commented:
“We are delighted to welcome Andy to Travers Smith at such an exciting time for the firm, as we continue to build on our growth and success following a strong financial year. His arrival comes as our disputes team enters a new phase of focus and ambition, and 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, Head of Dispute Resolution commented:
“I am thrilled to welcome Andy to our team. His stellar reputation and extensive expertise in international arbitration will be invaluable as we take our disputes practice from strength to strength. I look forward to working closely with him and am excited about all that he will bring to our practice in this key area.”
“I am very pleased to be joining Travers Smith, a firm I have long admired for its legal excellence, integrity, professionalism, and outstanding client service. I look forward to working alongside the talented disputes team and contributing to the firm’s continued success.”
