Andrew Hearn

Andrew Hearn is a senior counsel, Solicitor Advocate (Higher Courts Civil) and one of the most experienced commercial disputes solicitors practicing in the City of London.  Mr. Hearn has decades of experience litigating and arbitrating some of the most complex disputes, typically of an international nature.

Mr. Hearn advises clients across a range of matters including those involving banking and financial services; post-acquisition disputes; fraud claims; litigation in relation to sovereign distressed debt; cross-border enforcement work and major insolvency proceedings, including in jurisdictions such as the Cayman Islands and the BVI; a range of contractual disputes; and disputes concerning intellectual property and reputation management. The nature of his work has led Mr. Hearn to develop particular expertise in the handling of jurisdiction disputes.   

Mr. Hearn is also experienced in internal investigations, as well as investigations and proceedings conducted by regulatory bodies such as the FCA. He has considerable expertise in anti-corruption laws and has lectured widely on the subject.

His extensive client base includes hedge funds and other companies in the financial services sector, ultra high net worth individuals, publishers, and major brand owners from the manufacturing and retail sectors. He has led many matters originating from, or closely connected to, Russia and the CIS, including for his high-profile representation of Michael Cherney in Cherney v. Deripaska (for which he was commended in the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers report). 

Mr. Hearn also sits as a recorder (part-time judge) on the London and South Eastern circuit, serves as a Chair of Police Misconduct Panels and is on the panel of arbitrators and mediators of the London Chamber of Arbitration and Mediation.

For over a decade, Mr. Hearn has been ranked in Chambers UK and The Legal 500 UK as a leading commercial litigation solicitor. Chambers UK ranks Mr. Hearn for Commercial and Corporate Litigation, praising his "superb client service" and stating: "[he] is a good operator who is very thoughtful and considered."; "he's so experienced that nothing fazes him. He's an unbelievably cool customer who can see round any corner", and "he is a keen strategist who knows how to get what his clients need" (2021-2023). The Legal 500 UK notes his "excellent tactical judgment; good knowledge of the law; good understanding of his client’s business and needs" and commented that he "is such an insightful and inspiring partner, he commends respect in all settings"; "Andrew Hearn is a standout practitioner – one of the very best in the City" (2021-2022). Chambers UK 2019 cited clients who said of Mr. Hearn: "His critical and strategic thinking was a crucial asset in our being able to devise successful strategies for the litigation. He was available 24/7 and no task was too big or too small for him." Chambers Global 2018 and Chambers UK 2018 described Mr. Hearn as "an established player" in the London litigation market with clients lauding his abilities, saying "He always sees the big picture, has a vast experience in commercial court and is a natural leader of big litigation."

In 2023, The Legal 500 UK acknowledged Mr. Hearn as a Leading Individual for Commercial Litigation and he was listed as a key lawyer for Fraud: Civil. In 2018, The Legal 500 UK described Mr. Hearn as "the godfather of fraud claims, an ace litigator and knows everything and everyone" and "sharp and steady and delivers extremely reliable advice", as well as acknowledging him as a leading individual. In 2017, The Legal 500 UK commented that he has “excellent client management and handling skills, as well as the ability to comprehend big-picture issues.” The directory has previously described him as a “quality litigator” and as “particularly highly recommended. He is a brilliant lawyer and has a remarkable ability to master new and complex business and financial problems quickly.” The Legal 500 UK has also referred to clients who described him as “a consummate professional” offering “sensible advice in an unflappable manner” and “tough but sensible, certainly a leading light.”