McDermott Will & Schulte wins Financial Times Innovative Lawyers in Disputes recognition and ranks among Europe’s top 30 most innovative law firms

September 28, 2026 – Global law firm McDermott Will & Schulte has been named the winner of the Innovative Lawyers in Disputes category as part of the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Awards Europe 2026. The firm was also recognized among the top 30 Most Innovative Law Firms in Europe.

McDermott received the disputes award for its role in a high-stakes, multi-jurisdictional disputes strategy for Tecnimont S.p.A., an Italian multinational contractor, and its Russian subsidiary, MT Russia LLC. The matters arise from EPC contracts for a fertilizer plant in Russia, the performance of which was affected by EU financial and trade sanctions enacted in 2022.

The firm represents Tecnimont and MT Russia in ICC, London-seated arbitration proceedings against one of the world’s largest fertilizer manufacturers, as well as related English court proceedings to enforce tribunal-issued peremptory orders under section 42 of the English Arbitration Act. Those orders require the respondent to withdraw parallel proceedings brought in Russia, India, and Malaysia in breach of the arbitration clause.

Most recently, on August 28, 2026, the arbitral tribunal issued a Final Partial Award finding that Tecnimont and MT Russia had lawfully suspended performance of the contracts due to sanctions and that the respondent’s subsequent termination was wrongful. The tribunal awarded Tecnimont and MT Russia more than €260 million in damages and dismissed counterclaims exceeding €1.6 billion.

The Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Europe report recognizes law firms and in-house legal teams for innovative approaches to client service, business operations, technology, and the delivery of legal services.

View the full list of honorees here.