Squire Patton Boggs has announced the appointment of International Dispute Resolution (IDR) partner Alain Farhad, who has joined the firm from Freshfields Bruckhaus and Deringer in Dubai.
Mr. Farhad’s practice focuses on international disputes arising from commercial contracts and investment protection treaties. He acts on behalf of clients in a variety of industries including oil & gas, real estate, pharmaceutical and telecommunications. He has also represented investors and states in investment treaty disputes.
Mr. Farhad has acted in more than 40 international arbitration proceedings under the ICC, ICSID, DIAC and UNCITRAL rules. He is often appointed as sole arbitrator, co-arbitrator or chairman of arbitral tribunals in international arbitration proceedings.
Fluent in English, French and Farsi, Mr. Farhad is admitted to the bars of the State of New York, Paris, and the DIFC Courts in Dubai. He serves on the Steering Committee of the ICC UAE arbitration commission and is a regional representative for the ICC’s Young Arbitrator Forum.
Thomas Wilson, head of Squire Patton Boggs’ construction and arbitration practices in the Middle East, said: “Alain is one of the rising stars in the growing international commercial arbitration market in the Middle East; his reputation, experience and capabilities will be a great asset to have. We are delighted to welcome Alain into our growing regional arbitration practice.”
Global Chair of Squire Patton Boggs’ International Dispute Resolution practice, George von Mehren, commented: “The expansion of the Middle East IDR team is of strategic importance both to the firm as a whole and to the regional practice. Alain will play a key role in expanding our team, giving us a partner and advocate in the Middle East who focuses on commercial arbitration. Alain is also a good strategic fit for the development of our representation of sovereigns in investment treaty arbitration based on his prior experience. He will be a tremendous asset to the firm and our clients.”
Mr. Farhad said: “This is an exciting time to be developing an international arbitration practice in the Middle East which is attracting an increasing number of sophisticated disputes and international arbitration lawyers. I see great potential for Squire Patton Boggs in this market because it has a longstanding history and presence in the Middle East and an excellent team of talented international arbitration lawyers across its network. I am delighted to join the partnership of Squire Patton Boggs and thrilled at the opportunity to contribute to its continued success.”
Squire Patton Boggs is recognized as one of the top 30 international arbitration firms in the world by leading industry journal Global Arbitration Review (GAR) in its 2015 guide. With a team of over 90 lawyers with arbitration experience, the firm is a noted leader in bilateral investment treaty arbitrations and has participated in high-profile treaty cases including those involving energy, banking and monetary regulation, the health care sector, electrical generation and mining. The firm is also unbeaten in natural gas price review disputes, and has successfully concluded over 40 of such disputes, including negotiated settlements prior to the commencement of arbitrations.
Over the past year, Squire Patton Boggs has appointed 30 lawyers into its International Dispute Resolution Practice, including the appointment of partner Luka Misetic in New York; partners Carole Sportes and Valérie Ravit in Paris; partner Ben Holland and of counsel James Barratt, who both joined the firm in London.
The firm is ranked by The American Lawyer Arbitration Scorecard 2015 as a Top 10 Arbitration Firm for handling the highest number of large arbitrations in 2013-2014 and recognized as counsel in the 4th biggest defense win of 2013-2014, successfully defending a claim in excess of US$ 2 billion.
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