Baker McKenzie announced a further expansion of its global Disputes practice with the addition of Michelle Porter-Wright and Rebecca Thomson, who will join the firm’s Johannesburg office as partners on 9 September 2024 from A&O Shearman. And Tiffany Gray will also join the Johannesburg office as Director Designate from Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, effective September 1.
These hires are part of the firm’s strategy of growing its Dispute Resolution capabilities, in line with clients’ increasingly complex needs in key African markets. And Michelle, Rebecca and Tiffany’s expertise will further enhance Baker McKenzie’s global international arbitration, investigations and commercial litigation offering.
Michelle Porter-Wright was a partner at Baker McKenzie until 2017 and has been a director at A&O Shearman since 2017. She specializes in international arbitration and construction dispute resolution, focusing on complex and technical disputes. She is widely recognized as a leader in her field by South African and international legal directories and publications.
Rebecca Thomson is an experienced disputes lawyer primarily focused on investigations, compliance, and ethics. And she also has extensive commercial litigation experience, specifically focusing on banking and financial services-related litigation. Rebecca is dual-qualified in South Africa and England & Wales. Before joining A&O Shearman in 2020, she practiced at Norton Rose Fulbright, Deloitte South Africa (in-house) and Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr.
Tiffany Gray joins the firm from Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr. She has experience in corporate and commercial litigation, arbitration, public law and regulatory advisory work. And Tiffany’s experience also includes advising clients on cross-border disputes within Southern Africa. Her sector expertise spans mining and energy, oil and gas, health and pharmaceutical, and public law.
KEY QUOTES:
“We’re excited to bring this highly regarded team on board. Michelle, Rebecca and Tiffany will all significantly enhance our ability to provide expert dispute resolution advice and innovative solutions to our clients. This triple hire also underscores our continued commitment to adding top talent to our Johannesburg office, following recent additions to our Banking & Finance practice.”
- Lerisha Naidu, Managing Partner of Baker McKenzie Johannesburg
“The addition of Michelle, Rebecca, and Tiffany to our Johannesburg office is another key milestone in our strategic efforts to deepen our disputes capabilities in key markets for our clients. Their combined expertise across international arbitration, investigations and commercial litigation will be invaluable to our clients with complex needs in key African markets.”
- Steve Abraham, London-based Partner and Baker McKenzie’s EMEA Head of Dispute Resolution
“I am thrilled to rejoin Baker McKenzie and leverage the Firm’s unparalleled global platform to deliver exceptional results for our clients. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Johannesburg and beyond to help our clients navigate their most complex arbitrations and construction disputes.”
- Michelle Porter-Wright
“Joining Baker McKenzie is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a dynamic and forward-thinking team. I am excited to bring my extensive experience in investigations and financial industry-focused litigation to the Firm, and to help to drive growth and innovation in these in-demand areas.”
- Rebecca Thomson
“I am delighted to join Baker McKenzie, where I can leverage my expertise in commercial dispute resolution and regulatory advisory services together with the Firm’s global network to grow our international disputes practice. I look forward to the opportunities ahead and I am eager to collaborate with my talented colleagues to make significant contributions to our global success. Looking forward to this journey!”
- Tiffany Gray
