Pinsent Masons hires co-head of its investor-state arbitration practice in London

Graham is a highly experienced international lawyer representing States, companies and international organisations on investment and commercial arbitrations and other public international law matters, including State-to-State and sovereign immunity issues. Graham will co-lead the firm’s investor-state dispute settlement and public international law team with Sylvia Tonova who joined the firm earlier in March.

Graham is the third partner to join the firm this year who specialises in investor-state arbitration and public international law. In addition to Sylvia, Amaia Rivas Kortazar joined to lead the firm’s public law practice based in Madrid, Spain.

Graham joins from public international law firm Volterra Fietta where he represented clients under all the major arbitration rules with a particular focus on the energy and financial markets. He has advised sovereign clients and energy companies on a wide range of matters including public international law, competition and regulatory issues, major projects, project finance, banking, joint ventures, and supply, transport and regasification agreements. He also served for several years as General Counsel to the Energy Charter Secretariat in Brussels.

Jason Hambury, global co-head of Pinsent Masons’ International Arbitration Practice, said: “Graham is recognised as one of the leading experts on international energy law, the Energy Charter Treaty and investment treaty arbitration. Graham will play a significant role in the continued success of our practice and we are delighted to welcome him. The hire of these three specialists reflects the growth of our practice in this area and our commitment to support our clients who are continuing to face uncertain geopolitical developments and challenges around meeting their net zero commitments, as well increasing regulatory burdens in an ever-changing investment environment in their respective markets.”

Graham has been recognised on numerous occasions as a leading energy public international lawyer by the Corporate International Global Awards and the Annual Global Expert Awards.

Graham said of his appointment: “I am excited to be joining Pinsent Masons and to co-lead the investor-state dispute settlement and public international law team with Sylvia. I am greatly looking forward to working with such a talented team, with experts across the firm’s many regions and supporting our clients to resolve their politically sensitive disputes in these challenging markets.”