Alex Gerbi is the co-managing partner of Quinn Emanuel's London office and one of the most sought-after disputes lawyers in the London market. He acts for governments/states, major corporations and high net worth individuals in complex, high value, cross-border commercial disputes. Alex's practice encompasses English High Court and Appellate litigations, as well as commercial and investor-state arbitrations, and commonly involves the strategic coordination of proceedings in multiple jurisdictions. Alex has particular expertise in disputes relating to the Middle East, Russia, Ukraine and other CIS territories.
Alex's contributions and expertise have been widely acknowledged by various organisations and publications. Recently, he was awarded the prestigious "Partner of the Year" accolade at the 2023 British Legal Awards. This award, which spans the breadth of UK private legal practice, is given each year to one lawyer who has accomplished something of great public service, changed an area of law, reshaped their industry, or made a lasting impact. It recognises individuals who have achieved success beyond their practice and have left a significant mark in their respective fields. Alex received this award in recognition of the assistance he has provided to Ukraine in respect of several highly significant international disputes with Russia.
In the latest edition of the Legal 500, Alex is ranked as a Leading Individual for commercial litigation, as well as being recommended for civil fraud, international arbitration and public international law. Alex has been described by his clients as “a natural leader and one of the top litigation lawyers in London” and “a powerhouse - smart, savvy and always contactable. Clients feel safe when he is managing their dispute because he gets into the details and never gives up”. Chambers & Partners described him as “extremely bright, sensible and practical”. Earlier in his career, Alex was included in The Lawyer's "Hot 100" for 2017, recognising his then emerging status as one of the UK's foremost lawyers.
- Representing Ukraine in its inter-state claim against the Russian Federation before the European Court of Human Rights relating to the war.
- Representing an ultra-high net worth individual in respect of a shareholder dispute.
- Representing a UK-based property investment company in respect of a shareholder dispute.
- Representing two senior members of the Saudi royal family in a misappropriation claim before the English High Court against a former partner at a leading law firm.
- Representing JSC Commercial Bank “PrivatBank” of Ukraine in various international disputes connected with the frauds allegedly perpetrated against the bank by its former owners, Igor Kolomoisky and Gennady Bogolyubov.
- Representing Ukraine in its landmark dispute with The Law Debenture Trust Corporation PLC, acting on the instructions and for the ultimate economic benefit of the Russian Federation, relating to USD 3 billion Eurobonds issued by Ukraine in December 2013.
- Representing JSC Oschadbank in its bilateral investment treaty arbitration claim against the Russian Federation arising out of the loss of the bank's assets and investments in Crimea following the illegal annexation of that territory.
- Representing an international businessman and his related companies in fraud proceedings brought against multiple defendants before the English High Court.
- Represented three of the Executors of the Estate of the Late Dame Zaha Hadid in respect of a dispute with the fourth Executor.
- Represented a private equity fund in respect of a claim before the English High Court arising out of defaulted bonds.
- Advised a state central bank and other governmental agencies on claims and other matters connected with a systemically important bank in the CIS region.
- Advised a major Russian group on an investor-state arbitration claim against a CIS state relating to a debt arising out of Soviet era energy investments.
- Represented a Russian ultra-high net worth individual and related corporate entities as claimants in a high value fraud claim before the English Commercial Court.
- Represented Angela Shamoon and Alexandra Shamoon in their High Court dispute with Peretz Winkler and Arzal Finance Corp concerning a claim to ownership of shares in companies of the late Sami Shamoon.
- Represented individuals who are minority shareholders in a very substantial (multi-billion dollar) privately-owned international business group against the majority shareholders in a claim for unfair prejudice under s. 994 Companies Act 2006.
- Represented a Ukrainian businessman in a high value and multi-jurisdictional shareholder dispute relating to various businesses and assets located in Ukraine but held through an ownership structure stretching across the Netherlands, Cyprus and the British Virgin Islands.
- Represented a UK listed mining company in defending parallel multi-billion dollar fraud claims before the Swiss Chambers Arbitration Institution and the International Chamber of Commerce relating to a project to sink a deep mine shaft in Southern Russia.
- Represented a leading Russian internet investor in a minority shareholder dispute relating to an investment in a Russian e-commerce venture and involving multi-jurisdictional issues in the BVI, Cyprus and Russia.
- Represented an investor in a bilateral investment treaty arbitration under ICSID rules in respect of the alleged expropriation of billion dollar+ mining assets in Indonesia.
- Represented an investor in a dispute governed by Stockholm Chamber of Commerce Arbitration relating to failed energy investments in Russia. Succeeded in obtaining an award for the client in excess of US$150 million, together with the full costs of the arbitration.
- Represented a telecommunications company in an internal investigation into alleged fraudulent activities perpetrated by employees in connection with the procurement of supply contracts in Africa.
- Represented shareholders in a minority shareholder dispute relating to the management and operation of a high value IT/software company.
- Acted in English High Court proceedings for a claimant seeking to recover substantial losses suffered as a result of an alleged fraudulent investment scheme operated against him.
- Represented a Russian client in a joint venture dispute with a foreign partner subject to LCIA arbitration.
- Represented Russian businessman and entrepreneur Oleg Deripaska in his High Court proceedings against Michael Cherney, one of the largest and most complex commercial disputes ever to come to trial in the High Court.
- Represented a mining company in an English High Court claim against its insurers for an indemnity for losses suffered as a result of the capsize of a titanium dredger at a mine in Sierra Leone.
- Represented parties in a high value LCIA arbitration concerning the ownership of gas drilling rights in former Russian territories.
- Represented partners in a global telecommunications business in a long-running arbitration concerning the operation and dissolution of the partnership.
- Represented a Gibraltarian oil and gas investment company in defence of parallel proceedings brought by interested parties in London and Gibraltar alleging unfair prejudice and breach of trust.
- College of Law, London
(1998) - Manchester University
(LLB, 1997)
- Law Society, England and Wales, 2000
- Olswang LLP:
- Partner, 2007-2010
- Solicitor, 2000-2007
- Ince & Co:
- Trainee, 1998-2000
- Awarded Who's Who Legal - Commercial Litigation and Asset Recovery, 2024
- Awarded “Partner of the Year” at the British Legal Awards, 2023
- Ranked by Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Litigators Guide for International Disputes & Litigation, 2023-2024
- Ranked by The Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom for International Arbitration and Public International Law, 2024