Preventing liability before litigation: comparative strategies to reduce negligence exposure

Hannah Blecha is a Partner at Schwärzler Attorneys at Law in Liechtenstein. Her key specializations are Trust/Foundation/Corporate Law including all aspects of related Litigation and Dispute Resolution, as well as Asset Recovery. The main areas of activity relate to Private Clients and Private Client Litigation, Disputes regarding Foundation and Trust Law, Banking and Finance, Asset Recovery and Cross-Border Commercial/Corporate Litigation. In addition, Hannah is an expert in financial sanctions and regularly gives lectures on this subject at the University of Liechtenstein.

Somesh Tiwari is a distinguished legal professional with expertise in both litigation and corporate law, making him a rare blend of a seasoned litigator and a sharp corporate strategist. As the Managing Partner at Vardharma Chambers, he specializes in General Corporate Advisory, Private Equity, Banking & Finance, Arbitration, and High-Stakes Litigation. His exceptional contributions to the legal field have earned him numerous accolades, including being named Forbes India Magazine’s Top Managing Partner in 2024, receiving the Lex Talk Legal Falcon of the Year Award 2021 at the Dubai Lex Talk World Conference, being recognized as one of the Most Admired Global Indians by Passion Vista Magazine in 2022, and being honored the Global Legal Excellence Award at the Global Legal Summit 2024 in Dubai. Raised in a family of lawyers and judges, Somesh’s legal career is deeply rooted in tradition and ambition. Educated in Bombay, he started his professional journey in the demanding world of litigation, appearing before various Indian courts, including the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. His early litigation experience sharpened his instincts for risk assessment, resilience, and strategic manoeuvring, skills that now set him apart in corporate advisory and dispute resolution. As his career progressed, he seamlessly transitioned into corporate law, integrating his litigation expertise to offer a proactive and strategic approach to business advisory. His ability to foresee potential disputes and structure legally sound transactions provides his clients with both protection and a competitive edge. His legal acumen spans complex corporate transactions, regulatory compliance, and dispute resolution, ensuring that businesses operate within a secure yet growth-oriented framework. At Vardharma Chambers, Somesh leads a team committed to offering comprehensive legal solutions. His unique journey—from courtrooms to corporate boardrooms—gives him a rare versatility, allowing him to navigate clients through both litigation battles and intricate corporate deals. His counsel is sought after for his ability to balance ambition with prudence, ensuring clients achieve their business objectives without unnecessary legal hurdles. Deeply influenced by his family’s legal legacy, particularly his grandfather, a senior advocate at the Allahabad High Court, Somesh remains committed to delivering excellence in both litigation and corporate practice.

Chinasa Unaegbunam, SAN, FCIArb., was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 2002 after obtaining her law degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. She is an experienced lawyer who has provided both dispute resolution and legal advisory services to our clients. Her extensive experience in Arbitration and Litigation spans various sectors including Aviation, Employment, Banking, Construction, Energy (Power), and Property Law. Chinasa contributed to the drafting of the Civil Aviation Act of 2006, which incorporated several international conventions, including the Montreal Convention 1999 and the Cape Town Convention 2001. Additionally, she has participated in a wide range of transactions in various capacities. Notably, she was part of the team that prepared legal documentation and provided advisory services for the first-ever Export Credit Facility of over US$ 6,000,000 (Six Million Dollars) granted by the US EXIM Bank for the purchase of two Beech Aircraft from Raytheon. Since then, she has drafted and advised on several documents involving aircraft purchase under the new Cape Town Convention. Chinasa was recently appointed to the Advisory Board of The Hague Court of Arbitration for Aviation (HCAA). She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK Chapter, and heads the Aviation Practice Group of the Firm.

Kinnery Patel, Esq. L.L.B. (Honors), L.L.M is an Orange County Attorney, born and raised in London, England, where she completed her legal education and holds an advanced Master of Laws (L.L.M) Degree in International Business Law. LICENSED TO PRACTICE LAW IN: All California State Courts and the Central Federal District Court The United States Supreme Court All New York State Courts England & Wales, permitting practice in 49 other Common Law Countries All European Courts AREAS OF EXPERTISE: Estate Planning; Advanced Estate Planning & Gifts to Foundations; Planning for Children and Special Needs; Asset Protection; Estate Tax Minimization Strategies; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisition; Business Succession Planning; Conflicts of Law; Estate Litigation; Corporate Litigation; Civil Litigation; Probate; Trust and Estate Administration; and Elder Law. PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS: California State Bar New York State Bar United States Federal Bar United States Supreme Court Law Society of England and Wales International Bar Association – Vice Chair - Negligence & Damages Committee EDUCATION: Tower College, 1993, Merseyside, England William Hulme Grammar School, 1995, Manchester, England Bachelor of Law with Honors, 1998, Coventry University, England Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, 1999, The College of Law, York, England Master of Laws in International Business Law, 2001, The University of Manchester, England ADMITTED TO PRACTICE IN THE FOLLOWING COURTS: New York State Supreme Court, September 3, 2003 California State Supreme Court, December 3, 2003 Law Society of England & Wales, December 1, 2006 United States District Court, Central District of California, March 20, 2006 United States Supreme Court, August 17, 2009