Donna Newman
Partner
Donna is a leading expert in commercial, business and finance disputes, known for her strategic insight and ability to navigate complex issues.
Partner
Donna is a leading expert in commercial, business and finance disputes, known for her strategic insight and ability to navigate complex issues.
Language - English
Jurisdiction - England & Wales
Donna Newman is a partner at Stephenson Harwood, specialising in guiding clients through intricate commercial, business and finance disputes. Her extensive experience in High Court litigation and international arbitration makes her a sought-after advisor for clients facing complex challenges.
Her expertise spans a wide range of markets, structures, investments and financial products making her a go-to advisor for financial institutions, funds, businesses and high-net-worth individuals.
Donna's expertise extends to M&A transactions, where she adeptly handles breach of warranty claims, indemnity claims, and disputes over earn-out provisions, ensuring her clients' positions are protected.
Donna also provides comprehensive support to clients facing challenges in shareholder disputes, joint ventures and other business disputes, being a trusted adviser to clients in protecting their investment and business interests.
Donna's clients benefit from her ability to spearhead their overall disputes strategy, providing clear, strategic advice tailored to their unique needs. Her approach is characterised by a seamless coordination with local counsel worldwide, allowing her to manage disputes spanning multiple jurisdictions with precision and efficiency.
Her work on high-profile cases, such as the Arch Cru investment fund collapse and the Swiss Franc depegging disputes, highlights her capability to handle high-stakes situations with skill and effectiveness.
Clients value Donna’s direct and pragmatic approach, which combines technical knowledge with impeccable strategy and commercial savvy. Her reputation for delivering results and inspiring confidence makes her an invaluable guide in the legal landscape, helping clients overcome challenges and achieve success in their ventures.
SPL Guernsey ICC Ltd Arch-Cru funds litigation
Advising the newly appointed board of an offshore listed fund on complex, multi-jurisdictional claims related to previous fund management. This includes pursuing actions against former managers, directors, administrators, and auditors.
Global defence of a fund's position
Represented an investment manager in successfully defending multi-jurisdictional claims brought by an investment seller, ensuring robust protection of the client’s interests.
Financial institution breach of warranty claim
Acted for a financial institution in a breach of warranty claim against a seller under a share purchase agreement, helping protect the client’s position post-acquisition.
Assisting a client with contractual uncertainty following market disruption
Represented a bank in defending claims relating to the price of multiple foreign exchange trades which had been executed in a volatile market following the depegging of the Swiss Franc from the Euro.
Challenging counteparties' actions
Acted for the liquidators of a fund in relation to the close out by five banks of the fund’s positions resulting in a series of disputes with the banks across multiple jurisdictions and a mix of litigation, arbitration and mediation, securing a successful resolution.
Construction of a contract
Advised a bank in connection with a dispute with two other banks over the interpretation of trust documentation including the question of where liability falls under a tax indemnity, helping to protect the client’s financial position.
Claims under an SPA
Acted for a private equity business in bringing claims under an acquisition agreement where the business acquired was not as expected, ensuring the client achieved its strategic objectives.
Investment company misrepresentation claim
Acted for an investment company to rescind an agreement due to serious omissions and false representations during an investment purchase, ensuring client protection.
Shareholder dispute
Acted for a shareholder in a dispute over the ownership and division of a high profile group of companies spanning the globe, supporting the client’s investment interests.
Global litigation strategy for Hong Kong property tycoon and their portfolio of claims
Acted for a Hong Kong property tycoon in successfully pursuing multiple claims across jurisdictions following a business separation, securing a major victory for the client.
