Michael Lightfoot

Partner

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Michael Lightfoot

Expertise

Michael is a dual-qualified specialist in international arbitration and commercial litigation (England & Wales/New York), and Co-Head of Gateley’s International Arbitration Group, a market-leading practice recognised by the legal directory rankings. Michael has represented clients in the resolution of their international commercial disputes for over 16 years, with a career based in London and New York.  Clients praise Michael for being “fantastically bright and hard-working” and leaving “no stone unturned.” (Legal 500, 2026) 
 
At Gateley Michael advises clients across a wide range of industries and sectors including engineering, construction, power, oil & gas, real estate, commodities, M&A, pharmaceuticals/life sciences, IT and financial services. He has acted as counsel on international arbitrations conducted under major institutional arbitration rules including the ICC, LCIA, AAA-ICDR, SCC, ICSID, as well as ad hoc UNICITRAL arbitrations. Michael has also managed litigation before the English courts and appeared as counsel in federal and state courts in the United States. His international arbitration practice encompasses both commercial arbitrations and investor-state disputes. He regularly advises clients who require financing to pursue their claims, whether through traditional litigation funders, or other markets.  

Michael is frequently invited to speak at conferences in the UK and internationally on arbitration and litigation matters. 

How do you help clients?

I work with businesses, individuals and governments to resolve the cross-border disputes.

Experience

  1. Acted for the employer in contentious proceedings arising out of one of Europe’s most important power projects that connects the national grids of two countries via a subsea high-voltage cable. 
  2. Acted for the employer in contentious proceedings arising out of the construction of a major onshore wind farm in Western Africa. 
  3. Acted for the main contractor in contentious proceedings against a subcontractor arising out of defective equipment and workmanship on a combined cycle power plant in Western Africa.  
  4. Acted for a global industrial energy company in contentious proceedings with a contractor arising out of the construction of a gas-fired power station in Wales. 
  5. Acted for a global provider of digital healthcare solutions in a dispute with a healthcare provider in the Middle East arising out of the rollout of a patient record system.
  6. Advised one of Eastern Europe’s largest producers of agricultural commodity products on matters arising out of a significant corporate bond default.