John Fordham, prominent Stephenson Harwood partner and former head of commercial litigation, has died, aged 74. After a career spanning more than half a century at one of the United Kingdom’s leading firms, Fordham leaves a significant legacy and was amongst the longest-serving corporate lawyers in London.
Fordham’s esteemed career of fifty years featured a tenure lasting more than 25 years as the head of the firm’s commercial litigation practice. These contributions led to him becoming one of Stephenson Harwood’s longest-serving department heads.
In a statement from Stephenson Harwood, Fordham was celebrated as a force of nature within the legal profession. His record at the firm highlighted his steadfast loyalty, leadership, and a deep passion for law, attributes that have inspired many and will forever be a part of Stephenson Harwood’s institutional memory.
Fordham started his journey at Stephenson Harwood in 1972 as an articled clerk. He progressed to join the partnership in 1979 and held this position until his passing. His career milestones include some of London’s most high-profile disputes, such as the Maxwell pensions scandal and the Lonrho legal battle over Harrods’ ownership. Remarkably, Fordham was part of the team that facilitated the release of 50 hostages from the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, held captive for 14 months.
Stephenson Harwood recognized Fordham’s “extraordinary energy and passion,” “sharp intellect,” and his generous spirit. He was known for personally funding a significant portion of the biennial litigation department trips around Europe. Beyond law, Fordham’s passions lay in cricket and curry. In his later years, he developed a devotion to umpiring.
Fordham is survived by his wife Sarah, children Rebecca and Ben, and five grandchildren.