Shoosmiths adds three-strong team to bolster Financial Services Disputes and Investigations practice in London
November, 2024 - Milton Keynes, England
Shoosmiths today announces the appointment of Partner Peter Richards-Gaskin to the firm’s Financial Services Disputes and Investigations (FSDI) team, along with Senior Associate James Kidd and Legal Disputes Advisor Brendon Vipond.
The team, joining from TLT LLP, has extensive experience in managing high-stakes financial services disputes, with a focus on professional negligence cases and complex recovery actions involving multimillion-pound claims, as well as financial services remediation projects.
Shoosmiths’ commitment to expanding its litigation capabilities aligns seamlessly with the team’s track record. Their arrival brings a unique opportunity to further enhance the firm’s offerings during a pivotal moment in the economic cycle. With the commercial lending market facing evolving challenges, their expertise in distressed loans, professional negligence claims, and regulatory/remediation matters will provide invaluable support to clients navigating these complexities.
With nearly 20 years’ experience, Peter served as head of the London Financial Services Professional Negligence team at TLT, co-chair of LGBTLT+, and spent many years as the head of graduate recruitment for London. His career highlights include leading large-scale recovery actions against professionals such as valuers, solicitors, tax advisers and project monitoring surveyors, often in the context of substantial commercial and corporate lending claims. Peter also successfully advises and delivers on high-profile strategic remediation projects for some of the sector’s largest clients.
Peter’s experience navigating intricate security structures and lender strategies, and supporting clients on some of their most reputationally significant issues, has consistently positioned him as a trusted advisor to major clearing banks, specialist lenders, and other financial institutions. His strong relationships with challenger banks and leading financial institutions services clients, alongside his ability to identify cross-selling opportunities across Banking, Restructuring, and Real Estate Finance, are set to contribute meaningfully to the firm’s continued success.
Commenting on his move, Peter said, “Shoosmiths’ market-leading proposition in financial services and commitment to collaboration make it the perfect platform for the next stage of my career. The internal cross-referral ecosystem, the drive to deliver together, along with the other Shoosmiths values and commitment to people, make this a really appealing place for Brendon, James, and I to support other colleagues in winning work and contributing to the firm’s strategic growth."
Alex Bishop, head of litigation at Shoosmiths, said, “We warmly welcome Peter, James, and Brendon to the firm. Their move is a significant addition to our London office and FSDI team, underscoring the firm’s focus on delivering exceptional client service and strengthening our market presence in financial services disputes.”
This team addition represents further growth and investment in the firm’s FSDI practice, following the appointment of Legal Director Rebecca Copcutt in October.
Shoosmiths’ FSDI practice has a reputation for complex financial services litigation and for representing financial services firms and individuals in regulatory enforcement proceedings brought by the FCA. The team has extensive experience of advising on complex regulatory change programmes and regularly conducts internal investigations on behalf of its clients.
