News Type: Headlines

Congratulations to Sanford Michelman, our Chairman and Co-Founder, on once again being named to the Los Angeles Business Journal’s LA500, which shines a bright light on the 500 most influential leaders shaping Los Angeles business and industry. Sanford’s repeat recognition speaks not only to his stature within the legal community, but also to the strategic vision, leadership, and lasting impact he continues to have across the business landscape in LA. We’re proud to see him featured alongside many of the region’s most respected leaders driving growth, innovation, and influence throughout Southern California.

We’re happy to report that Dana has once again been named a Top 100 Lawyer by the Los Angeles Business Journal.

This recognition is reserved for attorneys whose work is shaping business across Los Angeles—leaders handling complex deals, high-stakes matters, and contributing meaningfully to the profession. Dana’s inclusion, particularly as a repeat honoree, reflects the excellence and leadership he brings to our firm and our clients every day.

It’s another proud moment for MR and a reminder of the high bar we set—and meet—across the firm.

Amanda Monroe has been named the new Practice Leader of Michelman Robinson’s Labor & Employment Department, taking the mantle from Dana Kravetz.

The firm is deeply grateful to Dana for his outstanding leadership of the L&E team. Under his direction, the department has continued to thrive and we thank him for the leadership and steady guidance he has provided.

Amanda has long been a steady force within the L&E group. She understands the pressures our clients face and brings a practical, solutions-oriented approach that reflects the standard we set at MR.

As Practice Leader, Amanda will oversee the structure, staffing, and professional development of her team, which requires both strategic vision and daily leadership. She is, without question, exceptionally well suited for this responsibility.

London / Los Angeles, 16 February – Michelman Robinson today announced that Daniel Burbeary has been named Office Managing Partner of the firm’s London office, further strengthening leadership as it expands its international footprint.

Burbeary was the firm’s first official solicitor hire in the UK and the first partner to join Michelman Robinson’s London office. His appointment reflects the pivotal role he has played in launching, building, and integrating the London platform into the firm’s broader global strategy.

Admitted to practice in England and Wales, Burbeary focuses on cross-border litigation and international arbitration, with a particular emphasis on complex fraud and asset recovery matters. Over the course of his career, he has represented clients across multiple jurisdictions, including Africa, China, Russia, and former CIS countries, and is frequently sought out for high-stakes, multi-jurisdictional disputes.

“Dan has been instrumental in establishing our London presence and shaping the office into a key part of the firm’s international platform,” said Sanford Michelman, MR’s Chairman and Co-Founding Partner. “His leadership, global perspective, and deep experience in complex cross-border matters make him exceptionally well suited to lead the office through its continued pattern of growth.”

As Office Managing Partner, Burbeary will focus on expanding the London office’s capabilities, strengthening collaboration across the firm’s U.S. and international offices, and continuing to build a high-caliber, market-leading team in London.

“I’m honoured to take on this role at such an exciting time for the firm,” said Burbeary. “We’ve built a strong foundation in London, and I look forward to continuing to grow the platform while deepening our integration across offices and delivering exceptional outcomes for our clients.”

Michelman Robinson launched its London office as part of its broader international expansion strategy, responding to growing client demand for sophisticated, cross-border legal services. The office plays a central role in the firm’s global disputes, investigations, and corporate crime capabilities.

Dan’s appointment follows the appointments in recent months of litigation partners Sukhi Kaler, Harry Dimoulis and Akshay Sewlikar, and the formal integration of the firm’s Corporate Crime and Investigations group, which includes Ruth Paley, Polly Sprenger, John Gibson and Lily Dou.

LONDON – Michelman Robinson today announces that Akshay Sewlikar has joined the firm as a partner in its Commercial and Business Litigation practice, further strengthening its international arbitration, complex litigation and investigations offering.

Dual-qualified in India and England and Wales, Akshay advises corporates, financial institutions and sovereigns on high-stakes disputes and regulatory inquiries. His practice spans international arbitration, English High Court litigation, and sensitive investigations, particularly in the financial services, energy, infrastructure and mining sectors.

Akshay brings over a decade of experience representing clients in proceedings under LCIA, ICC, SIAC and DIFC rules. He has a particular expertise in acting for and against states and state-owned entities.

He has acted in major sovereign bond arbitrations, bond litigations, regulatory inquiries and commercial fraud disputes, and was part of the team representing the Premier League in the first ever financial fair play proceedings against Everton FC.

He also has significant experience in financial crime, sanctions, antitrust and tax-related investigations. Akshay regularly advises on internal inquiries, whistle-blower issues, and cross-border defence strategies for high-profile institutions. He joins from Linklaters, where he was a Managing Associate in the arbitration and litigation group and was recognised as a “key lawyer” in Legal 500’s international arbitration rankings.

He previously served as a Judicial Assistant at the High Court of England and Wales and completed a secondment at an investment bank, overseeing disputes and regulatory matters across EMEA. Before moving to the UK, Akshay practised at the Bombay High Court, appearing in a range of civil, criminal and arbitration matters.

Akshay’s arrival marks another important step in M|R’s strategic growth in London, following the firm’s recent launch of its first international office. He joins alongside Daniel Burbeary, another partner in the firm’s Commercial and Business Litigation practice in London. The firm’s expansion also follows the formal integration of the firm’s Corporate Crime and Investigations group, which includes Ruth Paley, Polly Sprenger, John Gibson and Lily Dou.

“Akshay is a world-class disputes lawyer with the international perspective and depth of experience that reflects exactly what we’re building here in London,” said Sanford Michelman, the firm’s Chairman and Co-founder. “As we establish and expand our footprint, we are focused on attracting top-tier talent who can offer immediate value to our clients. Akshay’s arrival signals that intent.”

“This is an exciting time to be joining Michelman Robinson,” said Akshay Sewlikar. “The London office is growing with real momentum, and the firm’s energy, ambition and cross-border outlook immediately resonated with me. I’m looking forward to helping shape our London disputes and investigations offering from the ground up.”

Michelman Robinson has launched its first international office in London, marking a major milestone in the firm’s evolution and expanding its ability to serve clients in one of the world’s most dynamic legal and financial centers.

Founded in Los Angeles in 1999, MR has grown steadily across the United States, building a reputation for business-minded counsel in sectors including financial services, advertising and digital media, hospitality, insurance, music, aviation, and technology. The London launch answers the call of clients with cross-border interests who have long sought the firm’s presence overseas.

“London is not only a gateway to international markets, it’s a stage on which our brand of strategic, business-first lawyering can truly shine,” said Sanford Michelman, Chairman and Co-Founder of the firm. “This move is entirely client-driven. We’ve listened, and now we’re here.”

The London office, which is operated by MR’s affiliate Michelman & Robinson UK LLP, will initially focus on dispute resolution and corporate crime and investigations, while also extending MR’s capabilities in restructuring, corporate law, finance, insurance, aviation, labour and employment, ESG, technology, and IP. Helping to lead the launch is Hooman Yazhari, a seasoned restructuring partner with cross-continental experience and a reputation for building high-performing teams.

“London is the natural next step for the firm, and our opportunity to reimagine what a transatlantic law firm can be,” Yazhari said. “We’re not importing a template—we’re building something unique: a collaborative, nimble, people-first culture that attracts the very best talent and puts clients at the center of everything we do.”

Already, the firm has welcomed litigation partner Daniel Burbeary , along with highly respected finance lawyer Andrew Shutter, and is assembling a top-tier global corporate crime and investigations team, including Ruth Paley, Polly Sprenger, and John Gibson, all of whom are expected to join through 2025. Lily Dou, a specialist forensic accountant who has advised on some of the largest corporate crime enforcement cases in the UK, has also joined the London office as a partner to build out the full-service investigations offering. The MR London partnership is currently operating as a non-SRA authorised law firm while its application for authorisation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority remains pending.

Members of the Bar of England and Wales, Paley, Sprenger, and Gibson are currently working with MR on an interim consultancy basis, assisting with the set-up of operations and helping to shape its culture and vision. In the meantime, they continue to act in a number of high-profile and complex client matters as self-employed practitioners, until they are formally admitted to the MR London partnership following the grant of the requisite regulatory permissions.

In the meantime, Michelman adds, “Our presence in London signals more than growth; it signals intent. We’re building a global platform equipped for modern legal challenges and positioning our clients—current and future—to always be three moves ahead.”