Alex Gerbi
Partner
Alex Gerbi
alexgerbi@quinnemanuel.comAlex Gerbi is the co-managing partner of Quinn Emanuel's London office and one of the most sought-after disputes lawyers in the London market. He acts for governments/states, major corporations and high net worth individuals in complex, high value, cross-border commercial disputes. Alex's practice encompasses English High Court and Appellate litigations, as well as commercial and investor-state arbitrations, and commonly involves the strategic coordination of proceedings in multiple jurisdictions. Alex has particular expertise in disputes relating to the Middle East, Russia, Ukraine and other CIS territories.
Alex's contributions and expertise have been widely acknowledged by various organisations and publications. Recently, he was awarded the prestigious "Partner of the Year" accolade at the 2023 British Legal Awards. This award, which spans the breadth of UK private legal practice, is given each year to one lawyer who has accomplished something of great public service, changed an area of law, reshaped their industry, or made a lasting impact. It recognises individuals who have achieved success beyond their practice and have left a significant mark in their respective fields. Alex received this award in recognition of the assistance he has provided to Ukraine in respect of several highly significant international disputes with Russia.
In the latest edition of the Legal 500, Alex is ranked as a Leading Individual for commercial litigation, as well as being recommended for civil fraud, international arbitration and public international law. Alex has been described by his clients as “a natural leader and one of the top litigation lawyers in London” and “a powerhouse - smart, savvy and always contactable. Clients feel safe when he is managing their dispute because he gets into the details and never gives up”. Chambers & Partners described him as “extremely bright, sensible and practical”. Earlier in his career, Alex was included in The Lawyer's "Hot 100" for 2017, recognising his then emerging status as one of the UK's foremost lawyers.
Recent News
Practice Areas
Notable Representations
- Representing an UHNW international businessman in proceedings in England and offshore arising out of his investments in commercial real estate development projects.
- Representing Skywind Holdings Limited in fraud proceedings brought before the English High Court against sellers of In Touch Games Limited.
- Representing Ukraine in its inter-state claim against the Russian Federation before the European Court of Human Rights relating to the war.
- Representing a member of the Saudi royal family in a misappropriation claim before the English High Court against a former partner at a leading law firm.
- Represented a UK-based property investment company in a shareholder dispute.
- Represented three of the Executors of the Estate of the Late Dame Zaha Hadid in respect of a dispute with the fourth Executor.
- Representing JSC Commercial Bank “PrivatBank” of Ukraine in various international disputes connected with the frauds allegedly perpetrated against the bank by its former owners, Igor Kolomoisky and Gennady Bogolyubov.
- Representing Ukraine (via its Ministry of Finance) in its landmark dispute with The Law Debenture Trust Corporation PLC, acting on the instructions and for the ultimate economic benefit of the Russian Federation, relating to USD 3 billion Eurobonds purportedly issued by Ukraine in December 2013.
- Representing JSC Oschadbank in its bilateral investment treaty arbitration claim against the Russian Federation arising out of the loss of the bank's assets and investments in Crimea following the illegal annexation of that territory.
- Representing an international businessman and his related companies in fraud proceedings brought against multiple defendants before the English High Court.
- Represented the UHNW settlor of various offshore trusts holding the wealth generated through his considerable business operations in eastern Europe in litigation in the English courts against the former protector of those trusts who abused his position to defraud the client.
- Represented Angela Shamoon and Alexandra Shamoon in their High Court dispute with Peretz Winkler and Arzal Finance Corp concerning a claim to ownership of shares in companies of the late Sami Shamoon inherited by Mrs Shamoon under his Will.
- Advised a private equity fund in respect of a claim before the English High Court arising out of defaulted bonds.
- Advised beneficiaries under private family trusts holding various global assets valued in the $100millions in defending challenges to the integrity of the trusts by other members of the family, involving parallel proceedings in multiple jurisdictions.
- Advised a state central bank and other governmental agencies on claims and other matters connected with a systemically important bank in the CIS region.
- Represented an UHNW individual in a shareholder dispute.
- Represented a Russian UHNW individual and related corporate entities as claimants in a high value fraud claim before the English Commercial Court.
- Represented individuals who are minority shareholders in a very substantial (multi-billion dollar) privately-owned international business group against the majority shareholders in a claim for unfair prejudice under s. 994 Companies Act 2006.
- Represented a Ukrainian businessman in a high value and multi-jurisdictional shareholder dispute relating to various businesses and assets located in Ukraine but held through an ownership structure stretching across the Netherlands, Cyprus and the British Virgin Islands.
- Represented an investor in a dispute governed by Stockholm Chamber of Commerce Arbitration relating to failed energy investments in Russia. Succeeded in obtaining an award for the client in excess of US$150 million, together with the full costs of the arbitration.
- Represented shareholders in a minority shareholder dispute relating to the management and operation of a high value IT/software company.
- Represented a claimant in English High Court proceedings seeking to recover substantial losses suffered as a result of an alleged fraudulent investment scheme operated against him.
- Represented Russian businessman and entrepreneur Oleg Deripaska in his High Court proceedings against Michael Cherney, one of the largest and most complex commercial disputes ever to come to trial in the High Court.
- Represented a Gibraltarian oil and gas investment company in defence of parallel proceedings brought by interested parties in London and Gibraltar alleging unfair prejudice and breach of trust.
Education
- College of Law, London
(1998) - Manchester University
(LLB, 1997)
Admissions
- Law Society, England and Wales, 2000
Prior Associations
- Olswang LLP:
- Partner, 2007-2010
- Solicitor, 2000-2007
- Ince & Co:
- Trainee, 1998-2000
Awards
- Awarded Who's Who Legal - Commercial Litigation and Asset Recovery, 2024
- Awarded “Partner of the Year” at the British Legal Awards, 2023
- Ranked by Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Litigators Guide for International Disputes & Litigation, 2023-2024
- Ranked by The Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom for International Arbitration and Public International Law, 2024