Rival firm adds another ex-Pogust Goodhead partner as Mariana control showdown looms

The firm vying for control of the Mariana litigation has brought in former Pogust Goodhead partner Guy Robson to lead its Latin America practice, days before a High Court hearing over who should represent more than 400,000 claimants in the blockbuster case.

Robson was a partner at Pogust Goodhead from 2022 until this year and played a leading role in the Mariana case. He joins Bailey Glasser International (BGI) as a partner and head of its Latin America practice, while also returning to the team working on the litigation.    

He began his career at Freshfields, where he spent around a decade, before moving to Signature Litigation and later group action specialist Keller Postman.

The hire adds to a growing group of former Pogust Goodhead lawyers now at BGI. The firm already includes ex-partners Jeremy Evans and Faranak Ghajavand, while Pogust Goodhead founder and former CEO Tom Goodhead returned to the litigation for BGI last month.

BGI said in September that more than 15 lawyers with experience on the Mariana case were moving to the firm.

Court battle looms

The recruitment push comes as BGI and Pogust Goodhead prepare to face off in the High Court over control of the case.

BGI announced last month that it had replaced Pogust Goodhead as the firm representing the claimants after a unanimous vote by a client committee representing most of the group.

Pogust Goodhead disputes the change, arguing that the committee did not have authority to terminate the firm's engagement or appoint new lawyers on behalf of the wider claimant group.

Pogust Goodhead remains the solicitor on the record and has asked the High Court to rule on the issue. The hearing is due to take place on 5 and 6 October next week.

Robson said he was “delighted” to be returning to the Mariana litigation and working alongside many of his former colleagues.

“The focus will firmly be on delivering the strongest possible representation for the people, businesses and communities in Brazil who still continue to be affected by this terrible tragedy,” he said.    

BGI said the appointment forms part of its push to build a team with first-hand knowledge of the Mariana litigation “and a detailed understanding of its history and complexities”.

Mining giant BHP was found liable last year for the 2015 collapse of the Mariana dam in Brazil. The next stage of the litigation will determine damages due to the claimants.