William Smith-Burnand

William Smith-Burnand

Associate

London + 44 (0)20 7872 1049
William Smith-Burnand is an associate in the Litigation/Controversy Department. Mr. Smith-Burnand is a Solicitor of England and Wales and his practice focuses on international arbitration and commercial litigation. 

Mr. Smith-Burnand has represented states, individuals, NGOs, and corporations in commercial and investor-state arbitrations under a variety of institutional rules (including ICSID, UNCITRAL, ICC, LCIA, and AAA) and in litigation before the English courts. He has particular experience in aviation, telecommunications, and energy disputes.  

Before joining WilmerHale, Mr. Smith-Burnand worked at several large international law firms in London and Rotterdam. 

Experience

    • Representing an investment management company in a High Court dispute arising out of the termination of a management agreement.
    • Representing a multinational commodity trading company in a securities litigation brought by former shareholders under sections 90 and 90A of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. 
    • Representing an aircraft manufacturer in High Court proceedings concerning confidentiality procedures. 
    • Represented a US gaming company in an LCIA arbitration following the termination of a joint venture agreement. 
    • Represented an Eastern European conglomerate in an ICC arbitration against a multinational energy company concerning petroleum supply agreements.  
    • Represented a high-net-worth individual in an ICC arbitration against a Swiss conglomerate involving claims exceeding $1 billion concerning the termination of a long-term joint venture agreement.
    • Represented an international telecommunications company in a US$1 billion ICSID arbitration arising out of the termination of a telecommunications license.
    • Assisted an international sports charity in carrying out a safeguarding investigation. 
    • Represented an Eastern European state in an Energy Charter Treaty arbitration under the ICSID Rules involving claims exceeding €1 billion.
    • Represented a South American state in an ICSID arbitration in the mining sector involving claims exceeding $100 million.
    • Represented a European state in an ICC arbitration concerning the termination of a concession agreement.
    • Represented an Asian state in an ICSID involving claims exceeding $1 billion concerning the closure of a natural gas business.

Credentials

  • Education

    • LLM, International and European Trade and Investment Law, University of Amsterdam, 2020

    • LLM, International Economic Law, University of Warwick, 2018

    • LLB, Law, University of Warwick, 2017

  • Admissions

    • England and Wales

Credentials

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