William Thomas KC

Ranked in 2 Practice Areas

Band 2

Public International Law

Global Market Leaders

4 Years Ranked

Band 3

International Arbitration

2 Years Ranked

Ranked in Guides

UK 2025

About

Provided by William Thomas KC

Global

Practice Areas

Will specialises in international commercial arbitration, investment arbitration and public international law, and has particular expertise in the extractives, TMT and projects sectors. He has represented parties, as counsel and advocate, in numerous institutional and ad hoc arbitral proceedings, including before ICC, LCIA, CAS, ICSID and UNCITRAL tribunals. Will has also acted for parties in proceedings before the International Court of Justice and the Iran-US Claims Tribunal.

Career

Will holds a degree from the University of Cambridge, and is an English solicitor-advocate and Queen’s Counsel. He lectures annually on international law at King’s College, London and Sciences Po, Paris. He speaks English and French.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Global

Public International Law - Global Market Leaders

Band 2

Individual Editorial

William Thomas KC is the global head of Freshfields' public international law group. Thomas has an established reputation as a dedicated PIL advocate, possessing longstanding experience handling inter-state and investor-state disputes.

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International Arbitration - UK

Band 3

Individual Editorial

William Thomas KC's arbitration practice includes complex disputes arising from the telecoms industry. He expertly acts for both claimants and sovereign states in big-ticket BIT disputes.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

"William is a top-notch lawyer. He was very good at making strategic calls and did a lot of the cross-examinations and mastered that and how to handle the witnesses. He was also really adept at managing the client. He has the ability to grasp the detail while seeing the bigger picture."

Public International Law respondent
Global

"William is hard-working, pragmatic, enthusiastic and knowledgeable."

Public International Law respondent
Global

“Will is very persuasive and impressive. He rolls up his sleeves and gets on top of the issues quickly. He is excellent with clients and pragmatic yet considered in his approach.”

International Arbitration respondent
Global

“Will is always responsive and communicative, and his ability to negotiate and resolve disputes is outstanding. His advocacy skills and legal expertise are truly exceptional.”

International Arbitration respondent
Global

Public International Law respondent
Global

"William is hard-working, pragmatic, enthusiastic and knowledgeable."

Public International Law respondent
Global

“Will is very persuasive and impressive. He rolls up his sleeves and gets on top of the issues quickly. He is excellent with clients and pragmatic yet considered in his approach.”

International Arbitration respondent
Global

“Will is always responsive and communicative, and his ability to negotiate and resolve disputes is outstanding. His advocacy skills and legal expertise are truly exceptional.”

International Arbitration respondent
Global

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Africa-wide

Dispute Resolution

Sylvia Noury KC

Band 3

William Thomas KC

Global Guide 2024

Public International Law + 1 more ranking

About

Practice Areas

Career

Chambers Review

Global

Public International Law - Global Market Leaders

Individual Editorial

International Arbitration - UK

Individual Editorial

Strengths

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