Image

Richard Wells

Associate

Email

richard.wells@aoshearman.com

Phone

+44 20 3088 1480

Offices

London

V-CARD
Richard, a former doctor and medical researcher, advises on international commercial arbitration and investment treaty arbitration. 

He has participated in arbitrations under the rules of various institutions (including the LCIA, ICC, UNCITRAL and ICSID Rules). He also provides advice on the structuring of investments and dispute avoidance mechanisms, working closely with colleagues in transactional departments.

Before qualifying as a solicitor, Richard worked as a doctor and medical researcher, gaining his medical degree and a PhD in cancer immunology from the University of Cambridge.

He seeks to combine his scientific and legal expertise in his work, working with colleagues in the life sciences, healthcare and technology sectors from across the global firm.

Richard also has interests in legal technology and innovative working, spending six months on secondment to the firm’s legal technology team; and in diversity and inclusion initiatives within the firm.

Expertise

Experience

Representative matters

  • A large pharmaceutical company in an arbitration relating to the divestment of the rights to manufacture and sell a prescription medication.
  • A large pharmaceutical company on a holistic dispute avoidance and resolution approach with relation to potential licensing disputes across a global portfolio of agreements.
  • An electricity producer in sub-Saharan Africa in an arbitration under UNCITRAL Rules, including in an application to remove the Tribunal and a challenge to an interim award in front of the High Court.
  • A global development agency in an LCIA commercial arbitration relating to financial instruments.
  • A shareholder in an arbitration relating to the dissolution of a joint venture structure.
  • An electricity producer in sub-Saharan Africa regarding a claim for expropriation.
  • A global development agency regarding a dispute avoidance strategy in relation to a financial instrument.
  • The Kingdom of Morocco in defending an ICSID arbitration claim brought by a Swedish investor in relation to an oil refinery.
  • The Kingdom of Morocco in defending an ICSID arbitration claim brought in the construction sector.
  • A large pharmaceutical company on the IP and commercial aspects of its strategic collaboration with, and investment into, a partner aiming to develop a second-generation mRNA COVID-19 vaccine to address emerging variants for pandemic and endemic use.
  • A large pharmaceutical company on the IP and commercial aspects of its divestment of a significant business unit which was concerned with the production and distribution of prescription medications.

Pro bono

  • Sitting as a magistrate in the East of England.
  • Advising a human rights charity regarding international and domestic legislation relating to the prevention of gender-based violence and harassment, with a particular focus on sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Advising a human rights charity regarding the international and national frameworks that govern interactions between the International Criminal Court and member states.
  • Advising a pro bono client regarding their appeal against a decision relating to disability-linked benefits payments.
  • Assisting with legal education and mentoring for school age students, including those considering a career in law.

Qualifications

Admissions

Admitted as a Solicitor (England and Wales), 2022

Academic

LLM (Commercial Legal Practice), BPP Law School, 2020 (Distinction)

GDL, BPP Law School, 2019 (Distinction)

PhD (Cancer Immunology), University of Cambridge, 2015

MB BChir (Clinical Medicine), University of Cambridge, 2016

MA in Medical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Cambridge, 2010 (1st Class)

GMC registration number: 7518334 (registered without an active licence to practise)

Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.