Skadden adds to International Litigation and Arbitration Team with New Hire

Skadden is thrilled to welcome Samuel Pape to their International Litigation and Arbitration Group in London as a partner, strengthening their expertise in cross-border arbitrations, investment treaty disputes, and complex commercial litigation. With more than 15 years of experience in arbitration and international litigation, Mr. Pape is renowned for his strategic counsel and representation in commercial and investor-state arbitrations, as well as intricate cross-border litigation, with a focus on disputes within Francophone jurisdictions and Latin America.

Throughout his career, Mr. Pape has represented a wide range of clients, including multinational corporations, private equity funds, financial institutions, and state parties, in disputes spanning various industries such as energy, infrastructure, mining, banking, and technology. He has handled cases involving M&A transactions, shareholder conflicts, and financial disputes, demonstrating exceptional expertise in environmental class actions and parent company responsibility matters.

The recruitment of Samuel Pape follows the recent addition of Sophie Lamb KC to Skadden, who also brings significant experience to the firm. With over 25 years of expertise in “bet-the-company” arbitrations and complex litigation, Ms. Lamb KC has represented public companies, sovereign states, private equity firms, and major corporations in sectors like energy, infrastructure, technology, and financial services before international tribunals and courts.

Ryan Junck, a global head of Skadden’s litigation/controversy practices, expressed his enthusiasm for Mr. Pape’s addition to the team, noting his extensive experience in both commercial and investor-state arbitration. Mr. Junck emphasized that Mr. Pape’s expertise, combined with Ms. Lamb KC’s substantial work in international tribunals and the U.K. Supreme Court, will bolster Skadden’s ability to provide outstanding service to clients involved in complex arbitrations and litigation.

Rich Youle, the head of Skadden’s London office, highlighted London’s importance as a strategic focus for the firm’s investment, emphasizing the commitment to enhancing the International Litigation and Arbitration Group. He stated that Mr. Pape’s recruitment underscores Skadden’s dedication to attracting top talent and enhancing its capabilities in handling complex international matters.

Excited to join Skadden, Mr. Pape expressed his eagerness to collaborate with the firm’s esteemed team of international arbitration and litigation lawyers to deliver exceptional service to clients. He mentioned that Skadden provides an ideal platform for further developing his practice and looks forward to working alongside Sophie Lamb and his new colleagues.

In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Pape actively contributes to the field of arbitration and international law, serving on the executive board of the Institute for Transnational Arbitration (ITA) and the editorial board of the European Investment Law and Arbitration Review. His exceptional skills have been recognized by rankings such as The Legal 500 UK 2026 and Who’s Who Legal/Lexology 2026, where he was acknowledged as a Next Generation Partner in International Arbitration and a Future Leader in Arbitration, respectively. Likewise, Law360 awarded him the title of Rising Star in international arbitration in 2025. Fluent in English and French, Mr. Pape is also proficient in Spanish and Portuguese.