Richard Herstell focuses his practice on dispute resolution and has acted on a variety of litigation, arbitration and white collar matters for clients. Mr. Herstell advises corporations and financial institutions on a variety of commercial disputes and has represented clients in international and multi-party proceedings in the Court of Appeal and High Court, in addition to ICC and LCIA arbitrations and mediations, with a particular focus on matters with a Middle Eastern nexus.
Mr. Herstell has been recognised in the Legal 500 UK’s ‘Banking Litigation’ and ‘Commercial Litigation: Premium’ categories (2025 & 2024) as a “rising star” and “exceptionally impressive” whose “multilingual abilities and knowledge of Middle Eastern geography, politics and culture is extremely valuable in the international field”.
Mr. Herstell has also worked on a number of pro bono matters, including assisting the victims of the Beirut Port blast in their Lebanese law claim against an English-domiciled company in the English High Court.
Mr. Herstell trained at Dechert and qualified in 2022.
- Advising a major bank in its defence of a multi-party billion-dollar fraud dispute in the Commercial Court (listed as one of The Lawyer’s Top 20 cases in 2020 and 2025).
- Representing a Lebanese venture capital fund in respect of its claims against multiple defendants alleging breach of fiduciary, dishonest assistance, unlawful means conspiracy and breach of contract.
- Advising various Lebanese banks in respect of claims brought by customers as a result of the Lebanese financial crisis.
- Acting for a Middle Eastern energy subcontractor in an Algerian law governed ICC arbitration in relation to claims for breach of contract.
- “Key Lawyer” in Banking litigation: investment and retail category – The Legal 500 UK, 2025
- Samuel E. Klein Pro Bono Award (2024) in recognition of exceptional commitment to providing pro bono legal services
- Acting for several victims of the Beirut Port Blast in their Lebanese law claim against an English domiciled company in the King’s Bench Division of the High Court, which was recognised as “Highly Commended” at the 2023 LawWorks Pro Bono Awards.
- University House Legal Advice Centre – providing advice to, and representing, individuals in relation to First Tier Tribunal welfare benefit appeals.
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- SOAS University of London, B.A., Arabic and Economics, 2015, First Class Honors
- University of Law, GDL, 2018, Commendation
- University of Law, LLM Legal Practice (LPC), 2020, Distinction
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- England and Wales
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- English
- Arabic
- French
- Italian
- Portuguese
- Spanish