Senior Clydes partner joins Steptoe, taking 'all key clients' with him

Steptoe has hired senior Clyde & Co international arbitration partner Loukas Mistelis in London, in the latest departure from the firm's disputes practice.

Mistelis, who specialises in commercial arbitration, investment treaty law and investor-state disputes, joins after more than four years at Clydes. He said all of his “key clients” will be following him to Steptoe.

Alongside his practice, Mistelis has spent almost three decades as a professor at Queen Mary University of London, a role he will continue to hold.

His exit comes after Clydes lost long-standing disputes chair Ben Knowles in February. The Clydes lifer left to join platform firm Keystone, taking colleagues Ian Hopkinson and Milena Szuniewicz with him.

Then, earlier in June, international arbitration partner Richard Power departed for Fieldfisher. He spent 10 years at Clydes and specialised in energy disputes. 

What they said

"Loukas is one of the most respected figures in international arbitration globally," said Steptoe’s international disputes lead Amy Lentz.

"His ability to combine top-tier academic insight with extensive practical experience across both commercial and investor–state disputes significantly enhances our offering to clients facing their most complex, high-stakes matters."

"I am delighted to join Steptoe and its outstanding international disputes team," said Mistelis.

 "The firm's strong global platform, combined with its excellence across both commercial and investor–state arbitration, makes it an ideal fit for my practice and my clients. I am particularly pleased that all my key clients are following me to Steptoe."