Pogust Goodhead announces the appointment of Gemma Anderson as partner, a standout addition that reflects the firm’s continued growth and investment in senior talent as the Mariana case advances through the High Court in London.
Gemma will work on the Mariana litigation alongside Jonathan Wheeler, who leads the case for the firm. Her appointment reunites the pair after fourteen years working together at Morrison & Foerster, where they collaborated on numerous high-stakes disputes.
Gemma is a highly experienced commercial litigator specialising in complex cross-border disputes. She joins PG from Quinn Emanuel’s London office, where she has spent the last two years as a partner focused on significant, high value commercial cases.
Alicia Alinia, CEO at Pogust Goodhead, said:
“Gemma’s appointment is a fantastic moment for Pogust Goodhead. Her arrival is a clear signal of the team and platform we are building for the future – deep expertise, strong leadership, and the capacity to run major international cases at scale. We’re delighted to welcome her as a partner.”
Jonathan Wheeler, partner and lead for the Mariana litigation, said:
“Gemma is an exceptional disputes lawyer and a natural fit for the Mariana team. We worked closely for fourteen years at Morrison & Foerster, and I’ve seen first-hand the rigour and relentless drive she brings to complex cross-border matters. Her appointment strengthens our ability to deliver for clients as we build on the milestone liability decision and move into the next phase of the case.”
Gemma Anderson said:
“I’m thrilled to be joining Pogust Goodhead at such a pivotal moment for the Mariana litigation. This is a truly landmark case - not only for the communities affected, but for what it represents globally on access to justice and corporate accountability. I’m looking forward to working with Jonathan and the wider team to help secure a fair outcome for hundreds of thousands of victims.”
The Mariana proceedings in England involve over 600,000 Brazilian individuals, businesses, municipalities, religious institutions and Indigenous communities affected by the 2015 Fundão dam collapse in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Following the English court’s decision on liability on 14 November 2025, the case is now in its second stage, focused on damages and the quantification of losses.
