Winston & Strawn LLP announced yesterday that Michael Madden has joined the firm as head of its commercial litigation practice in London.
The addition of Madden follows a succession of high profile appointments for Winston, both in London and globally. As part of its continuing strategy for expanding globally, prominent IP litigators, Richard Price and Gareth Morgan, joined the firm’s London office. In addition, other major hires include former managing partner/CEO of Howrey LLP, Robert Ruyak, and former head of the President’s national Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force, Robb Adkins, to the firm’s Washington, D.C. and West Coast offices.
Madden is the former managing partner of Ashurst’s dispute resolution department. Not only does he have a strong track record in commercial litigation and arbitration, administrative law and judicial review, he has significant experience as the lead partner in disputes involving corporate acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures in various industries. He has also advised on disputes relating to international and domestic contracts, finance transactions, tax, defamation, professional negligence, insolvency issues and real estate.
Among Madden’s range of significant cases is a favorable decision before the House of Lords concerning directors’ duties which is a leading case on the use of “poison pill” and other takeover disputes. He has successfully handled many other major cases in the Court of Appeal and the High Court, including leading cases on injunctions, the exercise of public authority powers and on casino licensing.
Madden’s corporate clients represent a variety of sectors, including banks, private equity, financial services, retail, gaming and leisure, real estate and technology. He is consistently recommended for his strong client focus. He has been described, per the press release, in the leading directories as “someone you would always want on your side” and a “tough” litigator.
While serving as managing partner of the Ashurst dispute team, Madden oversaw the development of litigation and arbitration teams to service global clients, including the establishment of such practices in Europe, Singapore and Hong Kong, and with clients and lawyers in Beijing and other centres in China.
Winston’s managing partner, Thomas Fitzgerald was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “We are delighted that Michael has chosen Winston to further develop his highly regarded disputes resolution practice. Michael’s experience and stature within the sector will immediately enhance our dispute resolution capabilities and undoubtedly attract the kind of talent we seek in growing our presence throughout Europe.”
Madden was quoted as saying: “Winston’s globally acclaimed disputes resolution team has an outstanding reputation and a premier list of clients. I am pleased to be joining the Winston London office at a time of growth and welcome the exciting new challenge of developing not only a London-based disputes resolution team but a truly global offering.”
Thomas Benz, managing partner of Winston’s London office was quoted as saying: “We are delighted that Michael is joining our London team, his strong management experience in developing a cohesive and highly successful disputes team and his track record of managing significant client relationships will be integral to broadening the scope of this practice area both here and globally.”
Founded in Chicago in 1853, Winston & Strawn LLP is an international law firm with over 900 attorneys in 13 offices in the United States, Europe and Asia.