LONDON, October 28, 2025―Duncan Speller has joined Duane Morris LLP as co-chair of the firm’s International Disputes in the London office. Prior to joining Duane Morris, Speller was co-chair of the International Arbitration Practice Group at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP. His hire marks a key step in Duane Morris’ strategy to double down on its London offering and to build a globally recognized international dispute resolution practice.
“Duane Morris is operating on a global scale, and Duncan Speller is exactly the type of marquee talent we strive to attract to our firm. His experience and reputation will be a significant addition to our cross-border capability,” said Duane Morris Chairman and CEO Matthew A. Taylor. “Our London office is strategically important to Duane Morris, and we are committed to investing in market-leading talent to bolster our London capabilities. I’m looking forward to sharing more good news in this critical market.”
“Duncan’s strong arbitration credentials will greatly enhance our team as we continue to prioritize growing our International Disputes Group, which was also recently bolstered with the addition of Akshay Kishore who joined Duane Morris & Selvam LLP in Singapore as head of the India Dispute Resolution Practice,” said Sharon L. Caffrey, co-chair of the firm’s Trial Practice Group.
“We offer regional experience and a network of trusted, connected worldwide partners, which allows us to provide seamless representation and deliver innovative and efficient solutions to any problems our clients may be facing on a global scale. Duncan will be an outstanding addition to this offering and to our clients,” said Stephen H. Sutro, co-chair of the firm’s Trial Practice Group.
“We are pleased to welcome Duncan to our team. His practice will add a dynamic facet to our platform here, and his hire forms an integral part of our wider, exciting vision to invest in high-caliber talent across our marquee practices and sectors in London,” said Nic Hart, managing partner of the firm’s London office.
Speller practices international arbitration and English High Court litigation. An English barrister, he has significant experience conducting oral advocacy as a first chair and has successfully represented clients as an advocate on some of the most challenging, high-value and complex cases over the past decade. Speller has represented clients in more than 200 institutional and ad hoc arbitrations, sited in both common and civil law jurisdictions, including England, New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, France, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Austria and Germany. He also has substantial experience in international commercial litigation in both the English Court of Appeal and in the Commercial and Chancery Divisions of the High Court.
Seamlessly aligned with the Duane Morris platform and industry-focused approach, he has particular experience in sectors such as aviation, oil and gas, mining and resources, insurance and reinsurance, private equity, telecommunications, technology, banking and competition law issues, presenting significant opportunity to work in tandem with the firm’s global sectors groups. His practice also has strong axis into markets where Duane Morris operates, including the Asia-Pacific region—further realizing the firm’s aim of having a London litigation capability that is truly global by nature.
Speller sits as an arbitrator and has been appointed as arbitrator or emergency arbitrator by multiple arbitral institutions. Speller is ranked by Chambers UK (2025) for International Arbitration, and the Legal 500 UK (2025) also recognized him as a “Leading Individual.”
“Duane Morris offers a synergistic global platform that aligns perfectly with my clients and my practice. For me, this is an opportunity to be an integral part of an exciting, multifaceted growth vision. I’m looking forward to playing a key role as the firm continues to build a leading, globally recognized international disputes practice that connects London to the firm’s offices across the United States, East Asia and Australia, as well as its strategic alliances in Latin America. The firm is exceptionally well-placed to offer an integrated, efficient and world-class international disputes service to our clients,” said Speller.
About Duane Morris
Duane Morris LLP provides innovative solutions to today’s multifaceted legal and business challenges through the collegial and collaborative culture of its more than 900 attorneys in offices across the United States and internationally. The firm represents a broad array of clients, spanning all major practices and industries. Duane Morris has been recognized by BTI Consulting as both a client service leader and a highly recommended law firm.
