Rhys Thomas has assisted clients in resolving complex, international disputes for nearly 20 years through litigation, arbitration, and mediation. He has advised multinational corporations, private equity firms, and high net worth individuals on high-stakes disputes, invariably having a cross-border dimension. The Legal 500 (2020) describes him as "an extremely talented lawyer, absolutely expert in leading a team through very difficult disputes."
Rhys frequently represents clients in substantial shareholder, investor and joint venture disputes, breach of warranty claims, as well as fraud proceedings and asset tracing, often involving emergency injunctive relief. He has in-depth experience in complex jurisdictional and choice of law disputes, having achieved success in a number of reported cases in those areas.
Rhys also has a particular focus on the technology sector and has substantial experience advising on disputes and investigations arising out of complex IT projects, as well as contentious cybersecurity issues and cyber fraud. Rhys has served secondments at two of the world's leading technology services companies.
Representative matters include advising the City of Moscow in the successful defense of a London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) claim for more than US$2 billion in connection with the redevelopment of a landmark Moscow hotel complex; high net worth individuals in relation to a complex £100 million claim concerning a complex offshore trust structure; a leading technology services company in disputes arising from a $400 million contract for a global enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation; and the defense of a $150 million fraud claim relating to a substantial technology investment.
Experience
- Trinity College, Cambridge University (M.A. in Law with first class honours 2000); Nottingham Law School (Legal Practice Course with distinction 2001)
- Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales
Who's Who Legal: Asset Recovery — leading individual
Legal 500 UK — commercial litigation: premium; international arbitration
- Welsh