Rhys Thomas

Partner

London + 44.20.7039.5101

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Rhys Thomas has assisted clients in resolving complex, international disputes for more than 20 years through litigation, arbitration, and mediation. He has advised multinational corporations, private equity firms, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) on high-stakes disputes, invariably having a cross-border dimension. The Legal 500 describes him as "startlingly bright, hard working but thoroughly down to earth" and "an extremely talented lawyer, absolutely expert in leading a team through very difficult disputes." Chambers UK notes that Rhys "fearlessly fights for his clients."

Rhys frequently represents clients in substantial shareholder, investor, and joint venture disputes and 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 recent matters include successfully advising an international hotel group on a series of connected London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) disputes arising from a €300M hotel portfolio divestment; a global technology services company in claims under a infrastructure services contract valued at more than $500 million; and the defense of a $150 million fraud claim relating to a substantial technology investment.

Experience

  • International technology company seeks advice in connection with internal investigation of high-profile data loss incidentJones Day advised an international technology company in connection with an internal investigation of a high-profile data loss incident, later representing the client in a subsequent public inquiry.
  • FTSE 100 technology company resolves £25 million data security breach claimsJones Day advised a FTSE 100 technology company in breach of warranty claims under a share purchase agreement, alleging breaches of data and technology warranties arising from alleged PCI-DSS non-compliance.
  • Sibir Energy pursues action relating to the alleged misappropriation of over $400 millionJones Day has been acting for the energy company, Sibir Energy Plc, in relation to the high profile misappropriation of sums exceeding US$400 million by former directors and shareholders.
  • Avanti Communications recovers more than $20 million award against Indonesian MoDJones Day successfully obtained an expedited arbitral award of more than $20 million on behalf of Avanti Communications Group PLC in London LCIA proceedings brought against the Indonesian Ministry of Defence.
  • Global engineering company defends arbitration claims relating to military technology projectJones Day defended a global engineering and manufacturing company in relation to an LCIA arbitration alleging defects in the design and manufacture of nuclear, biological, and chemical filtration systems for tanks and military vehicles.
  • City of Moscow defends US$2 billion international arbitration claimJones Day is representing the Government of the City of Moscow and its affiliate, OEK-Finance, in the defense of a LCIA arbitration claim for over US$2 billion arising from a joint venture for the redevelopment of a landmark Moscow hotel complex.
  • Global payments company secures substantial settlement of complex cyber fraud claimsJones Day advised a global payments company in relation to a series of LCIA arbitration claims seeking compensation from African counterpart banks in relation to a complex, multi-million dollar cyber fraud.
  • Consortium of 700 investors seeks advice in £320 million tax-driven collective investment schemeJones Day is advising investors in a tax-driven scheme to invest in carbon emission trading and research and development.
  • Technology services provider defends against $50 million under-licensing claim involving a military personnel databaseJones Day defended a technology services provider in a $50 million under-licensing claim by an international software company in connection with a military personnel database.
  • Technology services provider defends against breach of contract claim alleging defective supply of hardware and softwareJones Day defended a technology services provider against a multimillion pound breach of contract claim brought by the U.K. Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority in relation to the supply of allegedly defective Storage Area Network hardware and software.
  • Global Voice Networks conducts expert determination process with Viatel involving operating costs for fibre transfer agreementJones Day represented euNetworks in its expert determination process with Viatel concerning the correct apportionment of operating costs in relation to their combined fibre optic network assets.
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