Baker McKenzie today announces the further expansion of its global Disputes practice with the addition of Michelle Porter-Wright and Rebecca Thomson, who will both join the Firm’s Johannesburg office as partners on 9 September 2024 from A&O Shearman. Tiffany Gray will also join the Johannesburg office as Director Designate from Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, effective 1 September. These hires are part of the Firm’s strategy to grow its Dispute Resolution capabilities, in line with the increasingly complex needs of clients in key African markets. Michelle, Rebecca and Tiffany’s expertise will further enhance Baker McKenzie’s global international arbitration, investigations and commercial litigation offering.

Michelle Porter-Wright was a partner at Baker McKenzie until 2017 and has been a director at A&O Shearman since 2017. Michelle specialises in international arbitration and construction dispute resolution, with a focus on complex, technical disputes. She has worked on some of the world’s largest projects and disputes and is widely recognised as a leader in her field by both South African and international legal directories and publications.

Rebecca Thomson is a highly experienced disputes lawyer with a primary focus on investigations, compliance and ethics work. She also has extensive commercial litigation experience, with a specific focus on banking and financial services-related litigation. Rebecca is dual qualified in South Africa and England & Wales. Prior to joining A&O Shearman in 2020, she practised at Norton Rose Fulbright, Deloitte South Africa (in-house) and Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr.

Tiffany Gray joins the Firm from Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Inc. She has experience in corporate and commercial litigation, arbitration, public law and regulatory advisory work. Tiffany's experience also includes advising clients on cross-border disputes within Southern Africa. Her sector expertise spans mining and energy, oil and gas, health and pharmaceutical, and public law.

Lerisha Naidu, Managing Partner of Baker McKenzie Johannesburg, commented: “We’re excited to bring this highly regarded team on board. Michelle, Rebecca and Tiffany will all significantly enhance our ability to provide expert dispute resolution advice and innovative solutions to our clients. This triple hire also underscores our continued commitment to adding top talent to our Johannesburg office, following recent additions to our Banking & Finance practice.”

Steve Abraham, London-based Partner and Baker McKenzie's EMEA Head of Dispute Resolution, added: “The addition of Michelle, Rebecca, and Tiffany to our Johannesburg office is another key milestone in our strategic efforts to deepen our disputes capabilities in key markets for our clients. Their combined expertise across international arbitration, investigations and commercial litigation will be invaluable to our clients with complex needs in key African markets.”

Commenting on their appointments: 

Michelle Porter-Wright: “I am thrilled to rejoin Baker McKenzie and leverage the Firm’s unparalleled global platform to deliver exceptional results for our clients. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Johannesburg and beyond to help our clients navigate their most complex arbitrations and construction disputes.”

Rebecca Thomson: “Joining Baker McKenzie is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a dynamic and forward-thinking team. I am excited to bring my extensive experience in investigations and financial industry-focused litigation to the Firm, and to help to drive growth and innovation in these in-demand areas.”

Tiffany Gray: "I am delighted to join Baker McKenzie, where I can leverage my expertise in commercial dispute resolution and regulatory advisory services together with the Firm's global network to grow our international disputes practice. I look forward to the opportunities ahead and I am eager to collaborate with my talented colleagues to make significant contributions to our global success. Looking forward to this journey!" 

Baker McKenzie’s global disputes capabilities are renowned for their depth and breadth. With over 1 000 disputes lawyers across more than 60 jurisdictions, the Firm leverages its vast litigation, arbitration, and investigations expertise to provide comprehensive legal solutions.