Jon Newman
Overview
Jon Newman is a litigation and arbitration partner in the London office of Kirkland & Ellis International LLP. Jon represents clients in commercial disputes, litigation and institutional arbitration in the UK and around the world. Jon has acted for clients in matters before all major arbitral institutions, courts of all levels in England and Wales, and many foreign courts.
Jon has significant experience in guiding clients through multi-jurisdictional and multi-forum disputes as coordinating counsel. Jon’s practice includes disputes relating to insurance policies, such as warranty and indemnity or political risk policies. Jon’s practice also includes advising clients on the commercial litigation and arbitration aspects of specialist intellectual property disputes. Jon also has extensive experience with dispute strategy, pre-action matters, interim injunctive relief, and settlement strategy.
Jon is a “Recommended Lawyer” in International Arbitration in The Legal 500 UK, 2026 – recognised by clients as one of the “standouts within the practice”. His “intellectual prowess and deep understanding of arbitration reassure clients”. He was also included in LawDragon’s 2025 list of 500 Leading Global Litigators. Jon has previously been recognized as a “Next Generation Partner” for International Arbitration by The Legal 500 UK and has been described as “excellent on the detail and on strategy” and “very commercial in approach”.
Experience
Representative Matters
Arbitration Representative Experience
- Representing a U.S. technology company in an ICC arbitration (New York seat) relating to the terms of an English law governed licence agreement.
- Representing a U.S. technology company in an ICC arbitration (New York seat) relating to the determination of the FRAND terms of a patent licence.
- Representing a major U.S. conglomerate in an ICC arbitration (London seat) relating to the termination of its business operations in Russia following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The dispute concerns issues under New York and Russian law as well as complex issues relating to the law on international sanctions in various jurisdictions.
- Representing a U.S. conglomerate in two separate ICC arbitrations (London seat) relating to gas processing facilities in Russia.
- Representing a Fortune 500 company in an ICC arbitration (Caribbean seat) relating to the enforcement of a guarantee.
- Representing a Fortune 500 company in an LCIA arbitration (London seat) relating to the enforcement of the terms of a political risk insurance policy relating to South America.
- Representing a U.S.-based company in an LCIA arbitration (London seat) relating to the enforcement of the terms of a political risk insurance policy relating to Russia.
- Representing a Canadian pension fund in HKIAC arbitration proceedings (Hong Kong seat) against Chinese entities relating to a shareholder agreement in the healthcare infrastructure industry.
- Advising a major investment bank on settlement of various disputes subject to an ICC arbitration arising out of a failed joint venture.
- Representing a Middle-Eastern company in DIFC arbitration proceedings against local counterparties relating to a services agreement in the telecoms industry.
- Representing a Middle-Eastern company in an ICSID investment treaty arbitration against an Asian state relating to treaty breaches and the expropriation of investments.
- Representing an Asian alternative investment management firm in a SIAC arbitration against Singaporean entities relating to the management of a joint venture in the hospitality industry.
- Representing a major private equity firm in relation to UNCITRAL arbitration administered by the HKIAC against a Taiwanese joint venture partner regarding breaches of a shareholders agreement.
- Advising a U.S. satellite communications company in relation to potential LCIA arbitration proceedings and ancillary matters arising out of a commercial dispute.
- Advising a high net worth individual in an LCIA arbitration concerning breach of warranties in a commercial agreement.
Litigation Representative Experience
- Representing Lenovo in its case for determination of provisions of the prior licence agreement existing between Ericsson and Motorola Mobility
- Representing Pfizer and Viatris to secure a complete win and settlement against UK Government and numerous generic pharmaceutical manufacturers in the largest-ever UK patent damages claim.
- Representing a Fortune 500 corporation on multijurisdictional claims relating to the enforcement of a debt, guarantee and asset recovery matters (valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars), including in claims in the Caribbean, the US, and Switzerland (including USC 1782 relief and Norwich Pharmacal relief).
- Representing a U.S.-based engineering corporation on pursuing a claim under a political risk insurance policy, including issuing proceedings in the U.S. court.
- Representing a global insurance company in respect of allegations of breaches of restrictive covenants, breaches of confidentiality, and other commercial disputes surrounding a team move.
- Representing a major private equity fund in pursuing a claim under a warranty and indemnity insurance policy, including issuing proceedings in the English court.
- Representing a global pharmaceuticals company on the enforcement of terms under a supply agreement.
- Representing ASSIA Inc in Part 8 claim in the English court against British Telecommunications PLC concerning the proper construction of various clauses of a patent licence agreement.
- Representing a U.S.-based software developer in a dispute with a UK-based user of an online game, including seeking undertakings in lieu of injunctive relief.
- Representing a U.S.-based chemicals manufacturer in a dispute with a UK-based distributor, including seeking interim injunctive relief.
- Representing a global professional services company in a dispute with a former senior employee relating to the misuse of confidential information.
- Acting for a private equity fund in relation to a claim by a limited partner relating to the management of certain funds and investments in the Scottish Court of Session.
- Representing a Canadian pension fund in relation to a fraud perpetrated by a joint venture partner and subsequent freezing injunction applications before the Hong Kong and Cayman courts.
- Advising a number of UK and international companies on issues relating to the application and enforcement of restrictive covenants under English law, including advising on applications for interim relief.
- Advising a number of US-based companies on seeking or defending requests for discovery and deposition testimony in the UK pursuant to the Hague Convention on Taking of Evidence Abroad.
Prior Experience
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP
- Associate (2011–2014)
- Trainee (2009–2011)
More
Thought Leadership
Publications
Co-Author, “COVID-19: Arbitrating in the Midst of a Pandemic”, Practical Law Arbitration Blog, April 2020
Author, “Tailoring the international commercial arbitration process for parties traditionally reluctant to enter into formal dispute resolution proceedings”, Practical Law Arbitration Blog, September 2017
Author, “Developments in international commercial arbitration involving Chinese parties”, Practical Law Arbitration Blog, June 2017
Co-Author, “Increased Transparency in International Commercial Arbitration”, Financier Worldwide, August 2016
Co-Author, “Confidentiality of Arbitration in Third-party Proceedings: The Law Remains Uncertain”, Practical Law Arbitration Blog, May 2016
Credentials
Admissions & Qualifications
- 2011, Admitted to practice as a Solicitor of England and Wales
- 2012, Higher Rights of Audience
Education
- BPP Law School, HolbornLPCwith Distinction2009
- The University of Law, GuildfordGraduate Diploma in LawCommendation2008
- University of BristolEnglish Literature, 2.12007