Kimberley Smith

Competent on the arbitration, but communication was a challenge

I engaged Kimberley Smith at McDermott Will & Schulte to handle a complex contractual dispute with our former European distributor, which contained an arbitration clause. Her profile and recognition in International Arbitration by Best Lawyers were the primary reasons for our selection, and her professional background in London was directly relevant to our cross-border issue. On the substantive legal work, Kimberley was undeniably knowledgeable. Her strategy for the arbitration proceedings was sound, and she demonstrated a clear grasp of the procedural intricacies. However, the experience was somewhat mixed. While she was recognized for her expertise, practical client management felt lacking. Response times to emails were often slower than expected, sometimes stretching to several business days, which created anxiety during critical phases. Updates were provided, but they were occasionally delivered in dense, technical briefs that required follow-up calls to fully decipher. For the high-stakes nature of our case and the firm's reputation, we anticipated a more proactive and accessible communication style. The arbitration itself was handled competently, leading to an acceptable settlement. Yet, the process felt more transactional than collaborative. She is clearly a skilled practitioner in her field, but the client service aspect could be more consistent to match her legal acumen.