Olswang has boosted its Commercial Litigation offering with the recruitment of Partner Bernard O’Sullivan, who will join the firm from November 2013.
Previously the senior partner of Byrne and Partners LLP, Bernard specialises in regulatory investigations and commercial litigation, frequently acting for claimants and defendants in large civil fraud investigations with multi-jurisdictional elements. Bernard regularly advises on investigations by a wide variety of bodies in the UK and overseas, with experience in the BVI, Cyprus, Singapore, Nigeria and Tajikistan.
Bernard is recommended by both the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners guides and is praised for his “ability to see the bigger picture”.
Bernard’s recent experience includes obtaining a £425 million freezing order against Russian state oil company Rosneft, in support of attempts by a former subsidiary of Yukos Oil to enforce arbitration awards in England and Wales. His international expertise includes acting for a key defendant in the high profile TadAZ prosecution, brought by the Government of Tajikistan in the English High Court. Since 2000 Bernard has also been coordinating the worldwide defence of the Abacha family in respect of claims worth billions of dollars made by the Nigerian Government.
Richard Bamforth, Head of Litigation at Olswang, commented: “As the Commercial Litigation team at Olswang continues to develop and expand, Bernard’s arrival will further strengthen an already well-regarded and busy group. He is an experienced litigator with good connections, whose skills will complement those of the existing team. We are involved in an increasing number of complex cross-border cases, so we are looking forward to working with Bernard to develop the international aspect of our practice even further”.
