Kirkland & Ellis partner jumps to Signature as firm reports 20% growth

Signature Litigation announces the appointment of Philipp Kurek, an investment and international commercial arbitration specialist, who joins as partner in its London office.

With over 12 years’ experience, Philipp trained and qualified at Kirkland & Ellis and was promoted to that firm’s partnership in 2017. Philipp specialises in international arbitration with particular expertise in investment arbitration, representing clients and providing strategic legal advice in ICSID and ad hoc arbitration proceedings.

Philipp represents clients in investor-state and commercial arbitration proceedings operating in several global industries including technology, logistics, telecommunications, financial services, private equity, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and real estate.

His focus on global arbitration has led to representing international clients in claims against several states in the following regions: Central and South America, the Middle East, Europe and Asia.

Commenting on Philipp’s appointment, founding partner Graham Huntley said, “Philipp will strengthen our existing arbitration practice and in particular with his focus on investor state claims. The appointment reflects our objective of growing the partnership both organically and with strategic hires.”

Philipp commented, “I am delighted to be joining Signature as its new investment arbitration partner. Its conflict free, disputes-only platform provides a compelling proposition for international clients seeking focussed, specialist advice, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to continue developing our distinctive approach to international commercial dispute resolution.”

Philipp’s arrival follows the appointment of litigation partner Jérémie Fierville in Signature Litigation’s Paris office in April 2023, as well as the appointments of arbitration partners Neil Newing (formerly a counsel with the firm) and Tsegaye Laurendeau in September 2022, who joined Signature from boutique arbitration firm, Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes.

Signature Litigation comprises 22 partners and over 100 members across its offices in London, Paris and Gibraltar.

2023 financial results

Signature Litigation is also delighted to report growth of 19.6% for 2023, taking revenues for the year to £32.6 million.

Growth was spread across a wide range of disputes and arbitrations, particularly within the banking, civil fraud and manufacturing sectors.

Signature Litigation also announces an annual profit share of 18.9%, paid to all members of the firm as part of its fixed profit-sharing model. Signature Litigation’s model has from its formation transferred economic ownership of the firm away from equity partners to every member of the practice.

Kevin Munslow, CEO of Signature Litigation, commented, “After slower growth in 2022, when we coped with market pressures, growth resumed strongly in 2023, in line with our long-term performance and budget expectations, across each of our London, Paris and Gibraltar offices. We continue to take advantage of opportunities in the market in line with our ongoing strategy to maintain managed year on year growth.”

Kevin continued, “We remain committed to building an environment that delivers on the aspirations of every member of the Firm and shares the fruits of success with all our members without discretion or variation.”