Pinsent Masons hires investor-state arbitration specialist in London

01 Mar 2023 | 09:50 am | 1 min. read

Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has hired partner Sylvia Tonova to the firm’s International Arbitration Practice.

Sylvia is a highly experienced international arbitration lawyer and has extensive experience in both international commercial and investment treaty arbitration focussing on complex, high-value disputes, often in the context of high-profile and politically sensitive projects and transactions. Sylvia will co-lead the firm’s investor-state dispute settlement and public international law team.

She is dual qualified in England and the US (New York and Washington DC).  Sylvia represents clients under all the major arbitration rules and advises clients on investment treaty disputes, sovereign immunity, and managing political risk.

Sylvia joins from Jones Day where she has led on arbitrations in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Asia. She also sits as an arbitrator and was appointed to the ICSID Panel of Arbitrators for a six-year term in 2016.

Jason Hambury, global co-head of Pinsent Masons’ International Arbitration Practice, said: “Sylvia’s skillset is a perfect fit with our leading arbitration practice. Our clients will benefit from her experience working on complex cross-border commercial and investor-state disputes, across numerous sectors, such as energy, mining and telecoms. Sylvia will play a significant role in the continued success of our practice and we are delighted to welcome her.”

Sylvia has been recognised in Legal 500, Who’s Who Legal and Chambers as being a leading individual in international arbitration.

Sylvia said of her appointment: “I am thrilled to join Pinsent Masons and co-lead the investor-state dispute settlement and public international law team. Investment treaty law plays a pivotal role in the political risk strategy of cross-border investors, particularly in the energy, mining and infrastructure sectors. I look forwarding to helping clients resolve their politically sensitive disputes and joining a team highly regarded for its deep sector knowledge and world-class reputation in handling high-value, complex arbitrations.”

Latest press releases

Show me all press releases

Pinsent Masons advises on the acquisition of the Port of Nigg

Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has advised Mitsui & Co. Europe Ltd (Mitsui) and Mitsui O.S.K. lines Ltd (MOL) on their joint acquisition of Global Energy Service Holding Limited, the holding entity of the Port of Nigg, from the Global Energy Group.

Pinsent Masons advises Zenobē on Shetland battery energy storage project

Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has advised Zenobē, the UK’s leading owner and operator of grid-scale battery storage, on the financing and development of a 68MW battery energy storage project in Lerwick.

Pinsent Masons advises Ushio on the acquisition of the lamp business from ams-OSRAM

Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has advised Ushio Inc., a global leader in light sources for Industrial Process and Visual Imaging applications, on a strategic agreement with the ams-OSRAM Group to acquire its lamp business for industrial and entertainment applications.

People who viewed this press release also viewed

Show me all press releases

Pinsent Masons advises on the acquisition of the Port of Nigg

Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has advised Mitsui & Co. Europe Ltd (Mitsui) and Mitsui O.S.K. lines Ltd (MOL) on their joint acquisition of Global Energy Service Holding Limited, the holding entity of the Port of Nigg, from the Global Energy Group.

Pinsent Masons advises Zenobē on Shetland battery energy storage project

Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has advised Zenobē, the UK’s leading owner and operator of grid-scale battery storage, on the financing and development of a 68MW battery energy storage project in Lerwick.

Pinsent Masons advises Amey Consulting Australia on key acquisition

Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has advised engineering consultancy Amey Consulting Australia on its acquisition of Australian company Premise Holdings Pty Ltd.

For all media enquiries, including arranging an interview with one of our spokespeople, please contact the press office on

+44 (0)20 7418 8199 or 

Location contacts

We are processing your request. \n Thank you for your patience. An error occurred. This could be due to inactivity on the page - please try again.