A&O Shearman ‘s merger resulted in the formation of a large and very attractive arbitration offering, notably in the investment space where the Parisian team regularly represents state entities and companies in high-stake disputes, spanning oil and gas, telecoms and construction. Often acting alongside colleagues from the London, Singapore and other international offices, the Parisian practice has a strong footprint in Africa, the Middle-East and Eastern Europe, and notably acts in several highly sensitive matters relating to Russia (EU Russian sanctions and Russian invasion of Crimea) with Ukraine as a client. Cambodia and Morocco are two other key clients. The team’s commercial arbitration caseload is also dynamic and diverse, dealing notably with offshore renewables projects and banking issues. The practice is led by Marie Stoyanov, who also serves as the firm’s global international arbitration practice head, and with Jennifer Younan   as the other key member within the team. Support is notably provided  by senior associate Alex Calthrop .

Led by Emmanuelle Cabrol, Ashurst LLP‘s  compact Parisian team, which regularly combines forces with the London office, acts for a prominent client base including leading names in the energy and nuclear sectors. The team mainly handles commercial arbitration disputes, while also currently managing a large gas investment dispute. It is often involved in African related matters, dealing with energy, construction and energy issues, as well as high-stake nuclear and renewable matters in France.

Audit Duprey Fekl is a high-level arbitration firm that handles commercial and investment disputes as counsel while also being regularly retained to advise and provides expert opinion on complex related issues dealing with arbitrators’ liabilities and international sanctions.  The practice acts for prominent corporations, in matters often relating to joint ventures, energy, natural resources and construction issues that are linked to Africa, while also handling exequatur cases. The practice is co-headed by a trio of partners who act in matters as counsel and arbitrator, composed of Pierre Duprey, Matthias Fekl and Mathias Audit , a partner whose expertise on sanctions and corruption in relation to international awards is particularly sought after.

Bredin Prat runs a strong commercial and investment arbitration practice acting for some CAC 40 companies and international groups as well as many state entities, among which notably Egypt and several other Arabic states. The practice regularly acts in matters linked to Africa and the Middle East that deal with a variety of sectors (telecoms, construction, waste, infrastructure). It also manages post M&A arbitration disputes and regularly acts in exequatur and set aside judicial proceedings. Raëd Fathallah leads the team, which also includes  José María Pérez, Tim Portwood,  Marina Weiss and Laura Fadlallah.

Excellent boutique firm Clay Arbitration  punches well above its weight, regularly representing state entities or companies in multi-billion dollars investment disputes. The team is often retained to act in large and challenging oil and gas disputes pertaining to Iran and the Middle East, while its involvement also extends to Europe and many other industry sectors such as banking and the renewables sector. Finally, the practice also handles commercial arbitration and exequatur proceedings. Thomas Clay  is highly regarded, and ably supported by associate Taha Zahedi Vafa .

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton boasts a small but excellent practice in its Parisian office that often combines forces with the firm’s other offices including London. The Parisian team handles both commercial and investment arbitration, acting for companies and state entities. It has a strong caseload advising on Africa and the Middle East related issues, notably in the oil and gas sectors, but its involvement also extends to many other geographical and industry areas such as M&A and telecoms. It also regularly manages exequatur and award enforcement proceedings before French courts. The Paris practice is co-headed by the excellent pair made up of Jean-Yves Garaud  (whose litigation practice is also prominent) and Laurie Achtouk-Spivak .

Clifford Chance runs a busy commercial arbitration practice representing French and international companies in ICC cases dealing with various subjects and geographical areas. The firm is heavily involved in the defense and aviation sectors where it is the preferred advisor to a leading European manufacturer. It also regularly acts in cases linked to Africa, notably concerning mining. The practice is co-headed by Jason Fry and Simon Greenberg, who are supported by counsels Sandrine Colletier, Karolina Rozycka, Marie-Isabelle Delleur and Alexis Foucard.

Clyde & Co LLP assists major companies as well as several state entities in managing ICC cases, as well some investment arbitration and exequatur proceedings. The team’s caseload is quite diverse and spans many industry sectors such as energy, construction, transport and concession. The team is regularly involved in African related disputes and also acts in Latin America and European related matters. Its involvement alongside the state of Ukraine in some challenging cases also deserves a particular mention. Practice head Nadia Darwazeh and Ivan Urzhumov are the key names in the practice, while Michael Conrad  and counsel Sophie Grémaud are two other contributors.

Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP is highly regarded for its expertise in representing state entities in large investment disputes – the firm applies a rare and unique policy of acting only for states and state-owned entities in investor-state arbitration. The team regularly handles large cases on behalf of Kazakhstan but also manages cases dealing with European countries and Africa. It acts in large oil and gas and mining disputes in addition to many other issues. The practice also has strong knowledge of exequatur and set aside proceedings, while the firm’s international platform is another asset. The team is co-headed by Geoffroy Lyonnet and Peter Wolrich. Also involved are Rémy Lerner and Marie-Claire Argac.

Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier has the ability to handle complex and challenging commercial arbitration (ICC) and exequatur proceedings. The team regularly represents large corporations involved in matters linked to M&A transactions or the defense sector and in cases relating to France, Africa and the Middle-East. It is also involved in a large dispute in the energy sector in Nigeria. The team also stands out for its excellent exequatur and set-aside practice, where it regularly acts in complex proceedings including currently handling a key matter concerning Crimea. The practice is co-headed by professor Laurent Aynès and Carine Dupeyron .

De Gaulle Fleurance & Associés runs a dynamic international arbitration practice that recently attracted new major mandates in relation to the RDC (mining) and Venezuela (construction). The practice is heavily involved in energy, natural resources and infrastructure ICC disputes pertaining to Africa (Congo, Algeria, Cameroon, Gabon). Its caseload also extends to other various industry sectors such as aviation and geographical areas. The practice is co-headed by Samantha Nataf  and Pierrick Le Goff  and includes counsel  Capucine du Pac de Marsoulies.

Leading arbitration boutique Derains & Gharavi is appointed by state entities such as Iran, India and Romania that are among its key clients, as well as large corporations, especially in the TMT sector, and high-net worth individuals. The practice manages a heavy investment caseload, notably in relation to Iran and Libya where it acts in high-stake disputes pertaining notably to the oil and gas and banking sectors. The team also handles commercial arbitration and exequatur proceedings, dealing with a variety of issues including renewal energy, telecoms and construction. Hamid Gharavi , who handles cases as counsel and arbitrator, is the practice's frontman. Also recognised are world’s renowned arbitrator Yves Derains,  Bertrand Derains,  and Emmanuel Foy . Melanie van Leeuwen and Sophia von Dewall left the firm early 2025.

DLA Piper has a large and experienced Paris-based team that regularly handles work in relation to Africa (Guinea, Congo, RDC, Algeria), Europe (Hungary) and the CIS (Georgia). The practice acts in investment and commercial arbitration, on behalf of major companies and occasionally for state entities, in large cases often dealing with mining, construction, telecoms and expropriation issues. The practice also acts in exequatur and set-aside proceedings. The team is co-headed by the excellent  Michael Ostrove and Alexander Brabant, with Théobald Naud and counsel Maxime Desplats being two other key members.

Eversheds Sutherland (France) LLP‘s co-manages commercial and investment arbitration with a caseload mostly made up of Iran and Libya-related cases, spanning notably the oil and gas and banking sectors. Aside from these, the practice regularly handles work linked with Africa and the Middle-East, notably in the telecoms sector. The practice is headed by Wesley Pydiamah and also includes counsel Nanette Pilkington . Gaëlle Le Quillec  and Julien Fouret  left the practice in 2024.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP's Parisian team works in close combination with the firm’s European and international offices managing a strong investment and commercial arbitration caseload. The practice represents leading companies spanning various industries such as healthcare, energy and construction, in large disputes concerning oil and gas concessions, renewables and real estate projects often linked with France, Europe and the Middle East. The practice also manages exequatur proceedings. The team is co-headed by star partner Noah Rubins,  Christophe Seraglini and Alexandra van der Meulen , who was promoted to partner in 2024. Counsel Vasuda Sinha provides support. Of note, Peter Turner has now retired.

Prestigious international arbitration firm Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes  impresses by its large and high-profile team that is retained by the world’s largest corporations as well as by some state entities (Egypt and Algeria particularly, but also Columbia and Peru) to handle their most sensitive commercial and investment arbitration proceedings. Mainly based in Paris but with complementary offices in London, New York, Cairo and Abu Dhabi, the firm has a very strong presence on large oil and gas and African and Arabic related disputes, currently acting in sensitive cases linked to the Israel-Palestine war. Its workload also encompasses many other industry sectors such as construction, telecoms or banking, and geographical zones such as Europe and Latin America. Finally, award exequatur is another key area of strength where the practice acts in large and complex proceedings. Practice head Yas Banifatemi and Mohamed Shelbaya (Paris and Cairos based) are two highly prominent figures in the arbitration circles. Also recommended are Coralie Darrigade, Maude Lebois, Thomas Parigot , Benjamin Siino, Yael Ribco Borman  as well as 2025’s promoted partners Youssef Daoud (Paris/Cairo), Anders Junker-Nilsson and André Marini . Also recommended is counsel Yael Ribco Borman  .

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. is regularly retained by companies while also handling matters for some state entities to handle commercial and investment arbitration, dealing with a range of industry sectors and legal issues including mining and construction, and often related to Africa. Recently, the firm has also been mandated to deal with high-stake disputes in the satellite sector, while its expertise is also sought after on sensitive matters involving Russian aspects. The arbitration practice finally has a particularly strong judicial component with Carole Malinvaud notably defending the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in several major proceedings before French courts, in addition to managing cases as counsel and arbitrator. The combined London and Paris-based practice also includes Christian Camboulive, Alexandra Munoz and London-based partners Saadia Bhatty and Rupert Reece. Support is provided by counsels Sacha Willaume and Astrid Westphalen .

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP‘s Parisian-based team combines solid common and civil law expertise as well strong OHADA know-how. The practice is regularly involved in ICC disputes, often relating to Africa and dealing with construction, commercial contracts and energy. The team also stands out for its involvement in sensitive matters linked to the defense and aviation industries (such as recently managing complex issues relating to Russia and some Asian countries). Finally, the team is also adept at handling matters dealing with Brazil and exequatur and set aside cases. The team is co-headed by the excellent Thierry Tomasi , Laurence Franc-Menget and Emily Fox who was promoted to partner in 2024. Of Counsel Vincent Bouvard provides support.

Led by Laurent Gouiffès, Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP develops a solid Parisian based practice that is well known for its strong ICC and Africa expertise, while also handling a good amount of work in relation to South America (notably Mexico by combining forces with the firm’s Miami office). The practice, which manages both investment and commercial disputes, mostly acts for commercial companies but a number of European, South American and Africa states are also clients. Its caseload is quite diverse, spanning oil and gas, telecoms, joint venture, M&A, and construction and infrastructure issues.  Of note, the team recently won a major victory in an investment dispute for its client the state of Colombia. Key team members include Thomas Kendra , Melissa Ordonez  and senior associate Lucas Aubry .

Honlet Legum Arbitration's main strength lies in its solid investment arbitration expertise where the firm manages several large ICSID disputes notably spanning oil and gas and mining issues linked to various parts of the world. Additionally, the team also regularly assists companies in commercial arbitration proceedings, also often linked to the oil and gas and mining industries. The boutique is co-headed by Jean-Christophe Honlet and Barton Legum .

Under the leadership of Sebastien Bonnard , Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP ‘s Parisian practice manages commercial and investment arbitration cases acting alongside African state entities, as well as companies. The team handles a diverse array of disputes, spanning infrastructure, construction, as well as public procurement and corporate law. It is particularly active in matters linked to Africa (Algeria, Tunisia, Togo, Gabon, Senegal). Exequatur proceedings are also dealt with. Sena Agbayissah and councel Sabrina Touchard  also contribute.

Jones Day is particularly retained by leading French and international companies to assist with high-stake commercial and investment disputes linked to Arabic countries, notably relating to oil and gas, construction and telecoms issues. The team’s caseload also expands to other fields and geographical areas including defense. The practice is co-headed by Elie Kleiman and Jean-Pierre Harb, with 2024’s promoted partner Claire Pauly being the third key member.

King & Spalding LLP has a solid Parisian practice that regularly combines forces with the firm’s US and Middle East based teams in assisting major corporations, notably in the oil and gas sector, while also handling work for private investor collectives and state entities.  The team notably acts in billion dollars investment and commercial disputes, linked with real estate, infrastructure and energy projects undertaken in Europe, Eastern Asia and the Middle East (Turkey, Iraq, Algeria). The team also assists clients before judicial courts in exequatur cases. Marc-Olivier Langlois leads the Paris practice, which also includes the excellent Ken Fleuriet  (Paris and Washington based), Amy Frey (who rejoined the firm in 2023 after a brief period at McDermott Will & Emery AARPI ) and counsel Agnès Bizard. Senior partners James Castello and Laurent Jaeger left the firm in 2024 to focus on their respective arbitrator practice.

Headed by the excellent   Fernando Mantilla-Serran, Latham & Watkins‘  Paris-based arbitration practice stands out for its excellent Latin American practice, that recently translated into several victories on behalf of its key client Colombia in high-stake disputes raising major environmental issues.  Often supported by the firm’s other international offices, the Parisian practice also handles a good amount of commercial arbitration, notably in relation to the pharmaceutical sector. Associates Esperanza Barrón-Baratech and Diego Romero provide additional support.

Linklaters ' solid Parisian-based practice is proficient at handling investment and commercial arbitration disputes, and regularly combines forces with colleagues based in the firm’s other international offices. The team is busy managing work in relation to Africa (Gabon, Senegal) and the Middle East, spanning various industry sectors such as oil and gas, construction, mining and M&A. The team also regularly deals with award enforcement proceedings before French courts, including handling sensitive matters raising corruption allegations. International corporations as well as some African states are clients. The team is headed by Roland Ziadé , who is supported by counsels  Andrew Plump, Maria Mitaeva and Claudia Cavicchioli.

Mayer Brown shows strength in commercial and investment arbitration where the Parisian team often joins forces with the firm’s other international offices to handle European, Latin American, Middle Eastern and African related cases. The team manages large disputes spanning various industry areas such as construction, infrastructure, mining and energy, acting mostly for companies but also for a number of state entities (Gambia, India). It has recently been entrusted with a new high-profile mandate that is raising major intra EU arbitration rules issues. Practice head Dany Khayat is the key name, with Alejandro López Ortiz and José Caicedo  being two other key members. Counsel Isabela Lacreta  provides support.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP boasts a large and high-level team in Paris that regularly combines forces with the firm’s New York, London and other European offices to assist some of the world’s largest companies, spanning various industry sectors including mining and energy. The practice is regularly involved in high-stake oil and gas disputes in relation to the Middle East, Russia and Africa. It also acts in major construction and infrastructure disputes while one of its most recent mandates includes a dispute in the banking sector. The Paris team is co-led by Philippe Pinsolle, who is Geneva based and also heads the firm’s continental Europe practice, Isabelle Michou, Thomas Voisin, Michael Young, who divides his time between Paris and New York, and Alexander Leventhal. Of counsel James Clark  also contributes.

Reed Smith is home to a large and experienced team that goes through a diverse commercial arbitration caseload, spanning energy, construction, aviation, shipping and oil and gas. The Paris-based team acts for large French technologies and construction companies as well as many foreign companies which it regularly assists with matters linked to Africa (Cameroon, Guinea, Gabon). Exequatur is also dealt with. The practice is co-headed by  Peter Rosher and Ana Atallah. Andrew Tetley and  Clément Fouchard are two key members.

Squire Patton Boggs houses one of the market’s strongest investment arbitration practices with a particularly strong involvement alongside state entities (Latin American, Eastern European, African and Asian state entities) which the Parisian based practice often represents alongside colleagues from the firm’s other international offices. It is entrusted with high-stakes and billion-dollar cases, encompassing various industry sectors such as infrastructure, joint-venture, mining, oil and gas. Its range of expertise also extends to commercial arbitration. The Paris team is co-headed by Carole Sportes , José Ricardo Feris and  Sabrina Aïnouz, Jérôme Lehucher and Rostislav Pekař (who divides his time between Prague and Paris) are other names to note.

Teynier Pic is one France’s most established dispute resolution boutique firms, adept at handling arbitration, litigation and mediation proceedings. The firm is entrusted by a prominent client base including a number of top French engineering firms to assist with ICC and commercial arbitration, dealing with a various array of issues (construction notably but also licensing and telecoms). The team has a strong presence on matters linked to Africa and also a strong know-how managing significant exequatur cases. The team is co-headed by Eric Teynier and Pierre Pic, and also includes key partners Raphaël Kaminsky,  Sara Nadeau-Séguin and  Danny Rifaat. Counsel Yann Dehaudt-Delville provides additional support.

International arbitration firm Three Crowns LLP houses a large and experienced Paris based team that can leverage on a prominent international platform to handle large and highly strategic cases. The practice stands out for its balanced commercial and investment arbitration practice, representing leading international corporations active in a wide array of industries and particularly the oil and gas sector but also banking. The team handles large disputes linked to various geographical areas such as notably the Middle East, Africa and Asia. It is able to assist with complex matters including cases raising state corruption issues. The highly seasoned Georgios Petrochilos and Todd Wetmore co-head the practice which also include  Kathryn Khamsi, Shaparak Saleh and  Ilija Mitrev-Penushliski .

UGGC Avocats

White & Case LLP hosts one of the market’s largest teams with about 60 Parisian-based lawyers which allow for the coverage of a full array of disputes. The practice, which manages both commercial and investment arbitration cases, is renowned worldwide for its second-to-none construction arbitration expertise which earns it mandates on high-stakes cases linked to many parts of the world and pertaining to canal, seaport, road and power plant projects. Its energy-related caseload is also prominent, spanning oil and gas disputes including dealing with several sensitive proceedings that are the result of wars and conflicts. The team’s involvement also encompasses many other industrial sectors such as telecoms or legal issues such as M&A. It has a strong presence in matters pertaining to Africa (Nigeria, Angola), and the Middle East (Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Libya). Michael Polkinghorne , Christophe von Krause and Charles Nairac  are at the helm of the practice. Andrew de Lotbinière McDougall , John Willems and Elizabeth Oger-Gross are particularly recommended, while Nicolas Bouchardie, Kirsten Odynski,Noor Davies, Lucas De Ferrari and Samy Markbaoui  are other strong elements.

Launched early 2024 in Paris with an a satellite office in Bogota, arbitration specialist firm Wordstone Dispute Resolution AARPI manages a busy caseload that includes a number of new prominent mandates. Particularly recognised for its Latin America arbitration practice that represents a large portion of its activity, its involvement is also important in cases linked to Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The team represents both state entities (Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt) and commercial entities in large and high-stakes investment and commercial disputes, spanning a wide array of issues and industry sectors (construction, telecoms, pharmaceutical, M&A). Of note, the firm recently won a series of victories in several investment arbitration cases alongside state entities. The excellent team is co-headed by the highly regarded Eduardo Silva Romero and José Manuel García Represa.  Other key members include Catalina Echeverri Gallego  and of counsel Audrey Caminades .