Alexander Uff has left Shearman & Sterling in London to join Quadrant Chambers after more than a decade at the firm.

Uff specialises in commercial and investor-state arbitrations – both as counsel and arbitrator – particularly in disputes involving emerging markets and infrastructure. He also has experience in joint venture and shareholder disputes in sectors ranging from pharma, chemicals, aviation and telecoms, all of which are core business to Quadrant.

Simon Croall QC, the set’s head of chambers, said Uff’s arrival would add strength and depth to the service it provides, especially in the international arbitration, energy and mining sectors. He added that Uff is a well-known figure in the market, whose work made him ‘a fantastic addition’ to what are key areas of strategic focus for Quadrant.

The dual-qualified barrister and New York attorney joined Shearman in Paris in 2007, working alongside the late Emmanuel Gaillard, before moving to the firm’s London office in 2013. He has also spent time at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in Paris and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett in New York.

Uff said he was looking forward to growing his practice, adding he was “grateful to the many talented and inspiring colleagues I have worked with [at Shearman], which has been my home for the past decade and a half.” 

Quadrant previously hired counsel Gaurav Sharma from arbitration boutique Three Crowns in 2020. Like Uff, Sharma also specialises in energy, having spent time in Shell’s global disputes practice and at Debevoise & Plimpton.

Acknowledging Uff’s exit, Shearman & Sterling’s head of international arbitration Alex Bevan, said: “We will miss Alexander, who returns to his roots at the Bar.” 

Bevan replaced Gaillard and Yas Banifatemi as leader of Shearman’s international arbitration practice group on their exit to set up arbitration boutique Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes, two months before Gaillard’s untimely demise.

Bevan added: “We have no doubt that Alexander will have real success [and] look forward to continuing to work with him on our existing and future matters.”

Shearman, meanwhile, has hired extensively in the London finance market, gaining Sanjeev Dhuna from Allen & Overy last week, the fourth partner to join Shearman’s London office this year.