William Thomas KC

Ranked in 2 Practice Areas

Band 2

Public International Law

Global Market Leaders

5 Years Ranked

Band 3

International Arbitration

3 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

Chambers Global Guide

Public International Law - Global Market Leaders

Band 2

Individual Editorial

William Thomas KC is the Global Head of Freshfields' public international law group. He has an established reputation as a dedicated PIL advocate, possessing longstanding experience handling inter-state and investor-state disputes. William's distinguished practice sees him act in landmark cases before major courts and tribunals such as the International Court of Justice.

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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

Will is very clever. He is excellent at managing cases and an astute cross-examiner. He's a real leader in the field.

Public International Law respondent
Chambers Global Guide

William is super smart, super approachable, super collaborative as well as a great tactician. He is absolutely committed to his clients and his team.

Public International Law respondent
Chambers Global Guide

Will is an experienced and astute PIL practitioner. Clients love working with him, he is very focused and an excellent advocate.

Public International Law respondent
Chambers Global Guide

Will has great judgement and is very clear in thinking through tasks. He is also very collaborative as well as being analytically sharp.

International Arbitration respondent
Chambers Global Guide

Will has extensive knowledge. He has highly impressive skills and is a pleasure to work alongside.

International Arbitration respondent
Chambers Global Guide

Will is a thoughtful lawyer and a very persuasive advocate.

International Arbitration respondent
Chambers Global Guide

Will is very clever. He is excellent at managing cases and an astute cross-examiner. He's a real leader in the field.

Public International Law respondent
Chambers Global Guide

William is super smart, super approachable, super collaborative as well as a great tactician. He is absolutely committed to his clients and his team.

Public International Law respondent
Chambers Global Guide

Will is an experienced and astute PIL practitioner. Clients love working with him, he is very focused and an excellent advocate.

Public International Law respondent
Chambers Global Guide

Will has great judgement and is very clear in thinking through tasks. He is also very collaborative as well as being analytically sharp.

International Arbitration respondent
Chambers Global Guide

Will has extensive knowledge. He has highly impressive skills and is a pleasure to work alongside.

International Arbitration respondent
Chambers Global Guide

Will is a thoughtful lawyer and a very persuasive advocate.

International Arbitration respondent
Chambers Global Guide

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Africa-wide

Corporate/M&A & Private Equity

Pervez Akhtar

Band 2

William Thomas KC

Global Guide 2025

Public International Law + 1 more ranking

About

Practice Areas

Career

Chambers Review

Chambers Global Guide

Public International Law - Global Market Leaders

Individual Editorial

International Arbitration - UK

Individual Editorial

Strengths

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Africa-wide

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Bahrain

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