Helen Ward
Principal Attorney & Founder
Helen Ward is the founding principal of Helen Ward Law Firm, and her reputation as a “tenacious, brilliant, and deeply human” lawyer precedes her. Clients consistently praise her “unwavering commitment to justice” and her “ability to see around corners.” One long-standing client says: “Helen doesn't just handle your case – she takes ownership of your problem as if it were her own. You feel protected.” Another notes: “She is the calm in the storm; a strategic genius who never loses sight of the human impact of the law.”
Helen's practice spans high-stakes commercial litigation, professional negligence, and complex cross-border disputes. Before founding her own firm, Helen was a partner at a leading Magic Circle firm, where she led numerous ground-breaking cases before the High Court, Court of Appeal, and international arbitration tribunals. Her expertise covers sectors such as financial services, technology, energy, and construction, and she is widely recognised for her skill in resolving disputes through both aggressive advocacy and innovative alternative dispute resolution methods.
Beyond her legal practice, Helen is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. She regularly mentors young solicitors and barristers, and she has been recognised by The Times and Chambers UK as a “trailblazer in modern legal practice.” Helen holds a first-class law degree from the London School of Economics and an LL.M. from the University of Cambridge. She is admitted as a solicitor in England & Wales and is also qualified as a solicitor advocate, granting her higher rights of audience before all courts.
Jonathan Ashworth
Partner, Debt Finance
Clients describe Jonathan Ashworth as “a superb strategist who combines razor-sharp commercial insight with genuine care for client outcomes.” One longstanding client notes: “Jonathan is the first person I call when a deal gets complicated – he never loses his cool and always finds a solution.” Another says: “His ability to read a room and anticipate counterparty moves is exceptional.”
Jonathan Ashworth is a partner in Helen Ward Law Firm's Debt Finance department, widely recognised for his expertise in leveraged and acquisition finance. His practice spans a broad range of complex financial transactions, including cross-border leveraged buyouts, real estate finance, fund financing, investment grade lending, and complex restructurings. Jonathan is particularly valued by private equity sponsors and financial institutions for his pragmatic, solution-oriented approach in high-pressure environments.
With nearly two decades of experience, Jonathan has led numerous market-leading transactions across the UK and Europe. He has advised leading private equity houses such as Bridgepoint, Hg, Cinven, and Permira, as well as major global banks and alternative lenders. Prior to joining Helen Ward Law Firm, Jonathan spent over a decade at a Magic Circle firm, where he co-headed the firm’s Nordic finance practice. His recent work includes the £1.2bn financing of a technology services platform and multiple public-to-private transactions. He is consistently ranked as a leading individual in Legal 500 and Chambers UK.
Philippa Hartley
Partner, International Trade & Compliance
Philippa Hartley is renowned for her incisive expertise in international trade compliance, with a particular focus on sanctions, export controls, customs law, and product regulation. Clients praise her “encyclopaedic knowledge of EU and UK sanctions regimes” and her “ability to turn complex regulatory puzzles into clear, actionable advice.” A compliance director at a major multinational says: “Philippa is our trusted partner for any high-stakes cross-border issue – she thinks three steps ahead.”
Philippa co-leads the firm’s specialist EU and UK export controls and sanctions teams. She advises multinational corporations, financial institutions, and sovereign entities on all aspects of trade restrictions, including sanctions targeting Russia/Belarus, Iran, Syria, and other complex jurisdictions. Her work includes assisting clients with internal investigations, voluntary disclosures, compliance programme design, and negotiating supply chain provisions in high-value contracts.
Before joining Helen Ward Law Firm, Philippa spent several years in Brussels and at a leading global law firm in London, giving her deep insight into EU and UK policy dynamics. She also works closely with the firm’s Washington D.C. sanctions team to provide seamless transatlantic advice. Beyond sanctions, Philippa regularly advises on customs classification, origin rules, tariff engineering, and the trade implications of emerging environmental regulations (including CBAM and deforestation legislation). She is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and a contributor to leading trade law publications.
James Cavendish
Partner, Commercial Litigation & Arbitration
James Cavendish earns exceptional praise from clients who note his “profound understanding of complex, industry-specific legal disputes” and his “talent for delivering commercially astute, no-nonsense advice.” A general counsel of a listed engineering firm commented: “When the stakes are highest, James is the advocate you want in your corner – formidable in cross-examination and brilliant at simplifying the impossible.”
James is a preeminent litigator specialising in international commercial arbitration and litigation, with a distinct focus on the energy (oil & gas), construction, infrastructure, and insurance sectors. He has represented an impressive roster of clients, including three of the largest construction companies in the UK, several FTSE-listed corporations, and state entities such as the Swedish State and the State of Ukraine. His practice encompasses complex multi-jurisdictional disputes, often involving high-value claims and technical expert evidence.
Recognised for his skill in cross-examination and case presentation, James is frequently appointed as an arbitrator in international commercial arbitrations under the auspices of the SCC, LCIA, and ICC. Prior to private practice, he served as a law clerk in a major common law jurisdiction, and he brings a strategic, trial-ready mindset to every dispute. He is described by directories as “a brilliant tactician and a tenacious advocate.”
Associates
Our Associates are dual-qualified (England & Wales and Sweden) solicitors who bring a fresh, modern perspective to emerging areas of legal practice. The team is particularly recognised for its expertise in E-Commerce, digital regulation, fintech, and telecommunications law. They work seamlessly alongside our partners to deliver efficient, innovative, and commercially focused solutions, ensuring that clients benefit from both deep sector knowledge and the latest developments in technology law.