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Sam Gokarn-Millington

He/himSenior Associate
Sam is consistently across the detail on procedural issues, which is exactly what you need from a senior associate acting on group litigation. His advice has always been sensible, considered and commercial, and his communication style is direct and assured. I work with a number of lawyers from several firms and Sam stands out as first class.
Senior Legal Counsel, Major Industrials Company
About

Sam Gokarn-Millington is a Senior Associate in the Litigation and Regulatory Group. Sam specialises in the resolution of complex, cross-border and high value commercial disputes, advising international clients in the industrials and technology sectors.

Sam has a breadth of experience in High Court litigation and International Arbitration, focusing specifically on class actions. Sam previously worked in the Litigation, Arbitration, and Investigations group in Dubai, and acted on several high-profile construction, engineering, and manufacturing arbitration mandates.

Sam works closely with his regulatory colleagues on a number of business-critical matters and is currently working on a series of high-profile investigations and group actions arising from a product liability issue for a major international manufacturer. Sam also has significant expertise advising on contentious cyber security claims, metaverse disputes and cryptocurrency/digital asset litigation.

EXPERIENCE

Sam has acted for:

Technology/Fintech
  • A Fintech client on their portfolio of international consumer litigation.
  • A US cryptocurrency exchange in relation to several claims for unjust enrichment to recover erroneously credited cryptocurrencies to international users' trading wallets.
  • Retail clients on several threatened class actions arising out of the alleged un-authorised access of employees' personal data following cyber-attacks by third-party threat actors.
  • An international satellite and telecommunications company in providing a global litigation managed service in relation to a series of contractual disputes with companies based in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and North America.
  • A high-net worth individual in defending a claim for damages of circa USD10 million arising from cyber-attacks carried out on the systems of a telecommunications company.
  • Several international telecommunications companies, in respect of their claims in negligence against the owners, operators and P&I Clubs of several cargo and fishing vessels which have caused significant property damage to the clients' fibre-optic sub-sea cable networks.
  • A Norwegian IT client by obtaining a commercial settlement in mediation in relation to a dispute over the implementation of, and delays to, an IT software project.
Industrials/Construction
  • An S&P 500 manufacturer on a number of high-profile product liability, contractual, contribution and personal injury claims, and representing them in criminal and regulatory investigations, and before a Public Inquiry. Preparing for civil claims arising out of a number of developments across the UK and defending several group actions concerning alleged negligence and product liability.
  • An international steel conglomerate in defending a GBP 14 million nuisance group claim in the Technology and Construction Court in London brought by local residents of the client's steelworks.
  • A large industrials company in a contractual dispute following the conditional sale of an advanced metal forming subsidiary.
  • The sellers of a chemical plating and manufacturing company in defending GBP 10 million Commercial Court proceedings brought by the buyer under a sale and purchase agreement relating to alleged breaches of warranty and tax indemnity claims.
  • A UK manufacturer on a complex dispute with three utility companies concerning breaches of contract, negligence and breaches of the relevant regulatory framework.
  • A Chinese bio-engineering company – alongside colleagues in Shanghai, China - in its claims for damages against a Spanish healthcare company arising out of the alleged wrongful termination of the parties’ distribution agreement for heart-rate monitors across Asia.
  • The developer of an Interconnector project in relation to issues pertaining to subsea cables in French and UK territorial waters. Advising the developer in relation to potential liability and mitigation measures, specifically in relation to Out of Service cables where the relevant owner could not be identified.
  • A construction and engineering company in defending AED300 million arbitral proceedings (governed by the DIFC-LCIA Rules) involving claims for liquidated damages, variations, time extensions, and acceleration costs, arising from a university project in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
  • A construction client on an adjudication brought by a sub-contractor concerning delays in the installation of gravity base foundations on an offshore wind farm project.
  • An international ventilation and air conditioning company in two interlinked International Chamber of Commerce “upstream” and “downstream” arbitrations relating to delays on an airport infrastructure project in Qatar.
Sport
  • The shareholders in an English professional football club in respect of a dispute concerning a Share Purchase Agreement and Option Agreement.
Education
  • University of Leeds, LLB Law, First Class
  • University of Sheffield, Legal Practice Course, Distinction
  • Sidney Herbert Clay Trust Prize Winner

Awards

In 2017, Sam was awarded the Trainee Solicitor of the Year award at the Yorkshire Legal Awards.

Prior Experience

  • 2022 - present, Senior Associate, DLA Piper UK LLP
  • 2017 - 2022, Associate, DLA Piper UK LLP
  • 2015 - 2017, Trainee Solicitor, DLA Piper UK LLP
  • 2018 - present, University of Sheffield, Member of the School of Law Advisory Board
  • 2018 - 2021, Trustee to the Board of the Boys and Girls Club of South Yorkshire

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