Professional background
I have acted in all divisions of the English High Court including the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court and my cases almost always involve international elements. I have been involved in LCIA, ICC, LME, LMAA, LCAM and ad hoc arbitrations - involving parties in various different jurisdictions - and in several ICSID arbitrations. I have also acted in cases before the Courts of the British Virgin Islands.
I am currently acting on a variety of commercial disputes including cases involving major global banks and international energy providers. I also have extensive experience of acting for and against groups of claimants, ranging from defending clients on claims being brought by groups of individuals, to advising groups of bondholders and institutional shareholders.
I have twice been the partner responsible for the cases recognised by The Lawyer’s Top 20 Litigation of the year surveys. Back in 2016, I was the lead lawyer representing the successful claimants in the first case to reach a judgment in the London High Court’s new Financial List. I have also acted in regulatory investigations involving both the Financial Conduct Authority and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
My diverse client base includes major domestic and international companies including clients in the sports, travel, financial and energy industries, as well as private equity houses, insolvency practitioners and individuals.
I was elected Vice President of the London Solicitors Litigation Association in early 2024 and appointed Vice President of the Litigation Commission of the UIA International Association of Lawyers in late 2024.
Notable deals
Advised on Olympic‑cycle (Tokyo) sponsorship arrangements for rights‑holders/brand partners.
Lead lawyer in a fast‑tracked ICC (London seat) commercial arbitration concerning major infrastructure contracts; achieved a final award within six months of the Terms of Reference (Bastion Infrastructure Group Inc.).
COVID‑era renegotiations of sponsorship/event contracts (variation, force majeure, performance) across football and wider sports.
Acting for a secured lender in a €100m cross‑border creditor‑priority contest on an English‑law loan; prepared pre‑emptive options against rival claims in the UK, Ireland and Luxembourg (Goldman Sachs Asset Management).
Advising on an FOS complaint alleging irresponsible lending and addressing proper‑respondent status; assessing affordability evidence and potential systemic exposure (CitiFinancial Europe Bank Limited).
Advising a PE investor on acquisition‑related fraud, warranty and regulatory breaches involving a major waste business; multi‑disciplinary pre‑action strategy across tax, property and employment (CCJSH Ltd / Continuance Capital).
Acting for a Luxembourg investment fund in a professional negligence/fraud dispute concerning advisory/management arrangements; quantifying losses and leading outcome‑focused negotiations (LNO Pix Group / Cyanstone).
Sponsorship and endorsement disputes for clubs and elite athletes, including instructions for New Balance Athletic.
Advised on a structured‑product issuance error that inadvertently created a UK‑situs asset for a non‑dom HNW client; designed a discreet, low‑risk fix with the issuing bank and end‑client (Pictet & Cie (Europe) SA).
Openwork v Capricorn (publishable): Defeated an urgent interim injunction in the London Circuit Commercial Court; continuing to defend and coordinate strategy alongside regulatory/employment workstreams (Openwork Limited).
Awards & recognition
John McElroy is a safe pair of hands and gives good, clear advice. John is an exceptional lawyer, he has excellent commercial instincts and he is very client-focused.
John has significant experience in fraud and energy linked banking disputes.
John is a polished operator. He keeps a keen eye on client objectives and effectively delivers.
John is a plugged-in, commercial, astute and engaged partner.
John is very easy to work with, always attentive and knowledgeable in his area.
John is a very thorough partner with a great depth of legal knowledge and is also very commercially aware.
Relentless hard-worker’ John McElroy joined the practice from Hausfeld & Co LLP in July 2024.
Authored pieces
High Court dismisses professional negligence claim as abuse of process
A second bite of the cherry denied: Precedent and the requirement to litigate fully
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Dr. Alice Meissner PartnerArbitrationCorporate LawDispute ResolutionEnergy and Natural Resources
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Ettore Bonaccorsi Partner, Dispute Resolution and ArbitrationDispute ResolutionRestructuring and Insolvency
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Jonas Mark Partner, Head of Dispute ResolutionDispute ResolutionShareholder DisputesTechnology Disputes
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Marcel Willems Partner - Amsterdam, Dispute ResolutionArbitrationCorporateDispute ResolutionFinancial Services
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Maxime Berlingin Partner, Head of Dispute ResolutionArbitrationAsset ManagementCommercial FraudDispute Resolution
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What others say…
John McElroy is a safe pair of hands and gives good, clear advice. John is an exceptional lawyer, he has excellent commercial instincts and he is very client-focused.
John has significant experience in fraud and energy linked banking disputes.
John is a polished operator. He keeps a keen eye on client objectives and effectively delivers.