Skadden lands top disputes duo from Latham in London

Skadden has landed two disputes hires from Latham in London, bringing in arbitration heavyweight Sophie Lamb KC and partner Samuel Pape in a significant double raid on its US rival.

The pair join Skadden’s international litigation and arbitration group, one of the top ranked practices in the City, and add further firepower to the firm’s London arbitration bench.

Their arrival marks Skadden’s third senior European hire in recent weeks, following the January recruitment of former Freshfields co-managing partner and competition specialist Rafique Bachour in Brussels.

Latham raid

Lamb is widely regarded as one of the leading arbitration lawyers in the market and spent nearly a decade at Latham in London, where she served as global co-chair of its international arbitration practice. Her client base spans corporates, private equity sponsors and sovereign states.

Her arrival further strengthens Skadden’s already elite arbitration team, which now includes three KCs active in arbitration advocacy in London.

Pape also joins from Latham, where he made partner in 2023 after nearly 10 years at the firm. Like Lamb, he moved to Latham from Debevoise in 2016. His practice focuses on commercial and investor-state arbitration and cross-border litigation.

What they said

“Sophie is an exciting addition to our market-leading International Litigation and Arbitration Group, which we are continuing to invest in, particularly in the London market,” said Skadden executive partner Jeremy London.

Commenting on Pape’s hire, Ryan Junck, a global head of Skadden’s litigation/controversy practices, said: “His experience in commercial and investor-state arbitration, together with Sophie’s substantial work before international tribunals and as an advocate in the UK Supreme Court, will further strengthen our offerings for clients across complex arbitrations and litigation.”

“London remains a key focus for our ongoing investment, as we continue to further strengthen our leading International Litigation and Arbitration Group,” said Rich Youle, head of Skadden’s London office.