WilmerHale has added Charlie Lightfoot as a partner in its International Arbitration Practice in London, expanding the firm’s capabilities across international arbitration and complex cross-border disputes.
Lightfoot brings more than 25 years of experience representing companies and governments in high-value international disputes.
His practice focuses primarily on international commercial arbitration, investor-state arbitration, commercial litigation before the English High Court and offshore courts, and alternative dispute resolution proceedings, including adjudication, expert determination, and mediation.
Lightfoot has substantial experience across defense and security, infrastructure, energy and life sciences.
His work also spans the mining, telecommunications and entertainment sectors.
He regularly acts as an advocate in international arbitration proceedings and has appeared before the English High Court. Lightfoot also serves as an arbitrator.
Before joining WilmerHale, Lightfoot chaired the International Arbitration Practice at another international law firm and previously held senior leadership positions at two other firms.
His experience includes representing defense contractors, infrastructure funds and other clients in significant cross-border disputes.
The appointment supports WilmerHale’s continued investment in its London office and strengthens its international disputes platform across the UK, Europe and other markets.
Lightfoot holds a BA and MA from the University of Oxford and completed his Legal Practice Course at the Oxford Institute of Legal Practice.
KEY QUOTES:
“Charlie is an exceptional litigator who brings deep experience handling the very kind of matters our clients need us for: complex, high-stakes disputes that span markets and jurisdictions. London is a critical part of WilmerHale’s global platform, and we are investing with conviction in its future. Charlie reflects our commitment to give clients in the UK and across Europe the depth of trial and disputes capability they have come to expect from WilmerHale.”
Anjan Sahni, Managing Partner of WilmerHale
“WilmerHale is known for bringing rigorous legal thinking and strategic judgement to the most complex international matters. The firm’s combination of first-rate trial lawyers, a deep bench of international arbitrators, especially in London, and strong expertise in public international law is rare and in great demand from clients across the globe. I am excited to help grow the London office and work with colleagues across the firm globally on the most complex matters in our field.”
Charlie Lightfoot, Partner at WilmerHale
