News | Alternative Dispute Resolution

Monday 4th February 2008

David Shapiro is leaving SJ Berwin LLP. During the last twelve years, David has made an outstanding contribution to the firm and to the practice of mediation in this country.  It is typical of this extraordinary man that at the age of 80 he will not be retiring as such but will continue to act as a mediator. However, having been given the opportunity to advise on Class Actions both here and in the US, he has concluded that this work is best undertaken on an independent basis to avoid any possible conflict of interest.

Craig Pollack, Head of Litigation, says, “We are very grateful to David for his contribution to the practice and he will be deeply missed.  He has put SJ Berwin at the forefront of mediation in the UK.  We cannot be anything but supportive and encouraging to a man who at the age of 80 is always looking for the next challenge.”

David Shapiro says, “I have had twelve great years at SJ Berwin during which everyone has provided me with fantastic support.  I will miss them all: lawyers, secretaries, support staff...even management.

All the SJB lawyers, secretaries and support staff should know that I appreciate all they have done for me and that leaving here has been a truly difficult decision.”

Phillip Howell-Richardson, who joined the firm in 2005, will succeed David as Head of the ADR unit.  Phillip was recently admitted as a Fellow of the International Academy of Mediators and is also the Honorary Chairman of ADR Net. 

Phillip Howell-Richardson says “David will continue to be a magnificent friend and inspiration.  We broke the mould here, bringing mediation to the heart of English High Court Procedure.  My challenge now and in the future is to build on SJ Berwin’s great platform to develop ADR internationally.”

David Shapiro came to SJ Berwin when the Woolf Reforms were in the planning and consultation stages on the initiative of David Harrel (then Senior Partner and Head of Litigation). Lord Woolf has publicly acknowledged David Shapiro's influence in the introduction of incentives for parties to mediate, being included in the reforms of the Rules of the Supreme Court in 1999 [see Notes to Editors (1) below].

David Harrel says “David Shapiro’s passion for inventing creative solutions to commercial conflict immediately struck a chord with the team at SJ Berwin, and we are proud to inaugurate an Annual ADR Lecture in his name to mark both his legacy to the firm and his contribution to dispute resolution here and abroad.”  Details of the first Annual ADR Lecture planned for Summer 2008 to be entitled The David Shapiro Annual “Outrage” [see Notes to Editors (2) below] will be circulated shortly.

Ralph Cohen, Managing Partner, says, “We wish David every success as he embarks on the next phase of his illustrious legal career.”

If you would like any further information regarding this press release, please contact:

Craig Pollack, Head of Commercial Litigation, Tel: +44 (0)20 7111 2275, email: craig.pollack@sjberwin.com

Helen MacRae, Business Development Manager, Tel: +44 (0)20 7111 2903, email: helen.macrae@sjberwin.com

• The Woolf reforms is a label given to the most significant overhaul of English civil court procedure for more than a century which led to the introduction of the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) replacing the Rules of the Supreme Court (RSC) from  26 April 1999 onwards.  One aspect of the changes introduced has been a facility for Judges to stay court cases to allow parties time to seek solutions by mediation or other Alternative Dispute Resolution (“ADR”) techniques.  The possibility that the unreasonable refusal of a party to attempt settling a case by mediation may be penalized in costs was also introduced into English civil court procedure as a direct result of the Woolf Reforms.
  
  
• The David Shapiro Annual “Outrage” takes its name from a talk given many times by David Shapiro to inspire successive generations of new young lawyers. It captures his passion for the fearless pursuit of Justice, Free Speech and Human Rights (exemplified by his work fighting the anti-communist witch hunts under McCarthyism in the United States).  It also seeks to convey his relish for “killing sacred cows” in inventing new solutions to take the “rage” out of disputes in Court.
  
  
• SJ Berwin LLP was named ‘UK Firm of the Year’ at the Global Chambers Awards 2007.
  
  
• Founded in 1982, SJ Berwin is a leading City corporate and commercial law firm with more than 700 lawyers working across its offices in London, Berlin, Brussels, Frankfurt, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Paris and Turin.
  
  
• The Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice at SJ Berwin has 14 partners, 2 consultants and over 40 fee earners, all based in London. In addition, we have specialist departments for competition, construction litigation, property litigation and employment.
  
  
• We have extensive experience in litigating not only in England but also worldwide and have a reputation for acting in highly complex, multi-jurisdictional disputes. In addition to High Court litigation we have market reputations in International Arbitration, Mediation, Fraud and Financial Markets Litigation, with leading individual names in each area.
  
  
• We see our skills primarily as 'problem solvers'. Typically, we are closely involved with our clients in steering them clear of litigation where possible and deploying our litigation skills when there is no better solution to help the clients achieve their business objectives. 
  
  
• On June 2005 SJ Berwin LLP, an English limited liability partnership, took over the business of the SJ Berwin general partnership.  SJ Berwin LLP or an affiliated undertaking has an office in Berlin, Brussels, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Milan, Munich Paris and Turin.