Stephenson Harwood appoints Michael Bywell and Peter Dalton to boost its tech disputes coverage in London

Stephenson Harwood appoints Michael Bywell and Peter Dalton to boost its tech disputes coverage in London

Stephenson Harwood has strengthened its technology group in London by hiring the services of two dispute resolution partners, Michael Bywell and Peter Dalton, from Hausfeld and Herbert Smith Freehills, respectively.

Bywell and Dalton will lead the firm's contentious technology, cyber, and data dispute practice. Bywell has over 25 years of experience advising clients on technology and cybersecurity-related matters, including data breach claims, while Dalton specialises in cybersecurity, tech-focused intellectual property, and IT dispute resolution. These additions to the firm's technology group highlight its commitment to providing clients with top-notch legal services in the areas of technology, cybersecurity, and data disputes.

Simon Bollans, head of Stephenson Harwood's technology sector group, said the pair's arrival reflects the firm's priorities in this area.

"Hiring Michael and Peter to lead our technology disputes and cyber practices reflects that focus and builds on our existing bench strength for local and international technology work in the corporate, commercial, intellectual property and data protection areas," Bollans added.

Bywell spent close to four years at Hausfeld, and before that, he worked at Arnold & Porter and legacy firm SJ Berwin. He has international experience, having worked in Australia and New Zealand for Minter Ellison's Auckland affiliate and Australian firm Johnson Winter & Slattery, both as a partner. He is qualified to practice law in England and Wales, Australia, and New Zealand, which further adds to his expertise and skills in the technology and cybersecurity field.

Lianne Craig, Hausfeld's London managing partner, said: "We enjoyed having Michael with us over the last few years. We are glad to hear he found a good home at Stephenson Harwood with a full-service technology practice."

Dalton, previously a senior associate at Herbert Smith Freehills for nearly four years, has more than a decade of experience in the field following a 12-year stint at Kemp Little. His expertise ranges from ransomware and nation-state hacking incidents to technology and cyber-related regulatory investigations, tech-patent, and software disputes. He also provides counsel on distressed IT project disputes and renegotiations.

Dalton is highly regarded in the industry for his expertise in technology, cyber, and data disputes. He was associated with Kept Little for nearly 12 years and has advised a range of clients, including large corporations, SMEs, and public sector organisations, on complex and high-value disputes in these areas. His expertise ranges from ransomware and nation-state hacking incidents to technology and cyber-related regulatory investigations, tech-patent, and software disputes. He also provides counsel on distressed IT project disputes and renegotiations.

"Cyber and data security are major risk areas in every industry and cyber breach response is a growing area that is often business critical for clients," said Ros Prince, co-head of Stephenson Harwood's commercial litigation practice.

Prince added: "The same is true of IT implementations and digital transformation: every organisation has them and they can easily go wrong leading to time and cost overruns and disputes. Michael and Peter bring important skills that not only complement our market leading regulatory investigations, commercial disputes and civil fraud teams, but also enable us to offer an end-to-end technology service."