GLOBAL 100 ADR FIRMS AND LAWYERS
Find the Best ADR Law Firms and Lawyers on each Continent
A continent-wise list of the best international firms, institutions and lawyers in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) — covering both domestic and international arbitration and mediation.
In today’s complex and increasingly globalized commercial environment, the importance of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)—especially arbitration and mediation—has grown exponentially. Whether resolving disputes arising from cross-border contracts, infrastructure projects, natural resources, or investment treaties, finding the right legal representation is critical. This article outlines some of the best law firms and renowned practitioners in ADR on each continent, offering a global map of excellence in dispute resolution.
Leading Law Firms
- Lex Mundus & Cencla PRUC – Africa’s leading online ADR training law firm of the year
- Aluko & Oyebode (Nigeria) – A top-tier firm with a specialized arbitration team.
- Bowmans (South Africa, Kenya, Mauritius) – Known for international arbitration and cross-border dispute resolution.
- ENSafrica (South Africa) – Africa’s largest law firm with a dedicated arbitration division.
- Zulficar & Partners – Premier arbitration practice, founded by Dr. Mohamed Abdel Wahab and Mona Zulficar.
- Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy – Known for energy, construction, and infrastructure arbitration across MENA and Africa.
- Shahid Law Firm – Handles cross-border disputes in oil and gas; active in CRCICA and other forums.
- Kosheri, Rashed & Riad – One of Egypt’s oldest firms, active in UNCITRAL and ICSID arbitration.
- Al Tamimi & Company (Cairo Office) – Active in local/international arbitration for Gulf and African clients.
- Oraro & Co. (Kenya) – Strong in commercial mediation and arbitration.
- JLD & MB Legal Consultancy (Ghana) – Rising star in West Africa, skilled in domestic and institutional arbitration.
- G. Elias & Co. (Nigeria) – Strong in energy arbitration and commercial disputes.
- AB & David Africa (Ghana/Pan-Africa) – Known for PPP and investor-state disputes.
- Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah (Ghana) – Noted for commercial and telecom arbitration.
- K-Solutions & Partners (Kenya) – Focused on construction and procurement arbitration.
- TEMPLARS (Nigeria) – Energy and infrastructure arbitration expertise.
Top ADR Practitioners
- Prof. Dr. Mohamed Abdel Wahab – Vice-Chair of ICC; renowned arbitrator in ICSID, CRCICA, ICC, and UNCITRAL cases.
- Prof. Ahmed El-Kosheri†– Founding figure in Egypt’s arbitration scene, cited internationally.
- Dr. Karim Hafez – Managing partner of Hafez Law Firm, active in investor-state disputes.
- Mouna Farouk (CRCICA) – Trainer and ADR expert; instrumental in mediation development.
- Dr. Ismail Selim – Director of CRCICA, seasoned arbitrator and counsel.
- Funke Adekoya, SAN (Nigeria) – ICC Court member and respected arbitrator.
- Professor Emilia Onyema (Nigeria/UK) – African arbitration expert and SOAS lecturer.
- John Ohaga (Kenya) – Chair of Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration.
- Georgette Francois, FCIMArb (Ghana) – Chair of GHACMA, advocate for mediation reform.
- Prof. Paul Idornigie, SAN (Nigeria) – Academic and public procurement arbitrator.
- Dr. Fui Tsikata (Ghana) – Eminent arbitration counsel and energy law expert.
- Dr. Kariuki Muigua (Kenya) – Leading East African arbitrator and academic.
- Babajide Ogundipe (Nigeria) – Commercial arbitration expert and advisor.
- Dr Osei Bonsu Dickson (Ghana) – Rising ADR practitioner and academic with international reach
Leading Law Firms
- Al Tamimi & Company (UAE) – The largest full-service law firm in the Middle East, with a strong ADR and arbitration department.
- Clyde & Co (Dubai, Doha, Riyadh) – Leading regional firm for construction, insurance, and infrastructure arbitration.
- Afridi & Angell (UAE) – Prominent in DIFC-LCIA arbitration and international contract disputes.
- Hadef & Partners (UAE) – Well-established in domestic UAE arbitration and commercial mediation.
- Sultan Al-Abdulla & Partners (Qatar) – Recognised for international commercial arbitration, especially in energy and construction sectors.
Top ADR Practitioners
- Essam Al Tamimi (UAE) – A key figure in Middle East ADR, founder of Al Tamimi, and advisor on arbitration reform.
- James MacPherson (Qatar/UAE) – Sought-after arbitrator and advisor in energy and construction arbitration.
- Dr. Nayla Comair-Obeid (Lebanon) – One of the region’s leading arbitrators; former member of the ICC Court and CIArb Trustee Board.
- Muna Al-Marzouqi (UAE) – Academic and practitioner contributing to the development of ADR in Gulf legal systems.
- Michael Patchett-Joyce (UAE/UK) – Arbitrator active in the UAE, DIFC-LCIA, and Middle Eastern tax and commercial disputes.
Leading Law Firms
- Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP (UK, Germany, France) – Widely considered a global powerhouse in international arbitration.
- Three Crowns LLP (London, Paris, Madrid) – A specialist arbitration boutique firm with a stellar record.
- Clifford Chance LLP & Allen & Overy LLP (UK) – Respected for investor-state arbitration and commercial disputes.
- WilmerHale (UK, Germany) – Known for its exceptional public international law and international arbitration teams.
- Lalive (Switzerland) – Top-tier boutique arbitration firm.
- Noerr LLP (Germany) – Known for cross-border commercial disputes.
- Wenger Vieli Ltd (Switzerland) – Strong in mediation and arbitration.
- Volterra Fietta (UK) – Specialists in public international law and investor-state arbitration.
- Hanotiau & van den Berg (Belgium) – Boutique firm focusing exclusively on arbitration.
Top ADR Practitioners
- Gary Born (UK/US) – Chair of the International Arbitration Practice Group at WilmerHale.
- Prof. Loukas Mistelis (UK) – Arbitration scholar and practitioner, Queen Mary University of London.
- Audley Sheppard KC (UK) – Former LCIA Chair and specialist in commercial arbitration.
- Sophie Nappert (UK/Canada) – Expert in energy arbitration and AI ethics in arbitration.
- Professor Stavros Brekoulakis (UK/Greece) – Authority in international arbitration at Queen Mary University.
- Emmanuel Gaillard†(France) – Legendary arbitrator and founder of Shearman’s arbitration group.
- Sophie Lamb QC (UK) – Barrister and arbitrator with expertise in construction and international trade.
- Philippe Pinsolle (France) – Managing partner at Quinn Emanuel’s Paris office, ICC Court member.
- Patricia Shaughnessy (Sweden) – Renowned arbitrator and academic at Stockholm University.
Leading Law Firms
- Debevoise & Plimpton LLP (New York) – Highly ranked for investor-state arbitration (ICSID).
- Sidley Austin LLP (New York, Washington DC) – Strong international trade and arbitration teams.
- Covington & Burling LLP (Washington DC) – Known for treaty disputes and tech-related arbitration.
- Arnold & Porter LLP (USA) – Deep bench in public international law.
- Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP (USA) – A respected arbitration team particularly active in Latin America and international investment law.
- Chaffetz Lindsey LLP (USA) – A boutique New York firm with seasoned arbitration partners known for ICC, ICSID, and UNCITRAL disputes.
- Arbitration Chambers New York (USA) – A collective of independent arbitrators with diverse global experience.
- Dentons Canada LLP (Canada) – One of the leading firms in commercial arbitration in North America.
- Foley Hoag LLP (USA) – Known for public international law, treaty-based arbitration, and representing states before tribunals.
Top ADR Practitioners
- Lucy Greenwood (USA/UK) – Independent arbitrator with focus on energy and commercial disputes.
- Jan Paulsson (USA/France) – A legendary figure in international arbitration.
- Charles Brower (USA) – A leading arbitrator in investor-state arbitration.
- Claudia Salomon (USA) – President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration.
- Yves Fortier QC (Canada) – Widely regarded as one of the most eminent arbitrators in the world.
- Professor Catherine Rogers (USA) – Founder of Arbitrator Intelligence and leading scholar on ethical standards in ADR.
- EloÃsa Machado (Brazil) – Prominent Brazilian ADR expert and academic with strong regional influence.
- Raúl Vinuesa (Argentina) – Experienced arbitrator and professor engaged in Latin American investor-state disputes.
- Mauricio Gomm Santos (Brazil/USA) – International arbitration expert with focus on Brazil–US commercial matters.
Leading Law Firms
- Marval, O’Farrell & Mairal (Argentina) – Highly ranked for cross-border arbitration.
- BMA – Barbosa, Müssnich & Aragão (Brazil) – Experts in infrastructure and commercial disputes.
- Claro & Cia. (Chile) – Renowned for sophisticated arbitration strategy.
- Pérez Alati, Grondona, Benites & Arntsen (Argentina) – Strong arbitration capabilities.
Top ADR Practitioners
- Carlos Alberto Carmona (Brazil) – One of Brazil’s leading arbitration authorities.
- Eduardo Silva Romero (Colombia/France) – Partner at Dechert LLP, prominent ICSID arbitrator.
- MarÃa del Pilar Perales Viscasillas (Spain/Latin America) – Active in UNCITRAL and IBA working groups.
Leading Law Firms
- King & Wood Mallesons (China) – A dominant force in Asia-Pacific disputes.
- AZB & Partners (India) – Top Indian firm with strong international arbitration practice.
- Rajah & Tann (Singapore) – Regional heavyweight in commercial arbitration and mediation.
- Tay & Partners (Malaysia) – Notable in construction arbitration.
- Kim & Chang (Korea) – Korea’s top ADR firm, especially in IP and tech disputes.
- Morrison Foerster LLP – Singapore/Japan – Strong in tech-related international arbitration in Asia.
- WongPartnership LLP – Singapore – Recognised for its strong team in SIAC and ICC arbitration.
- HFW (Holman Fenwick Willan) – Australia & Dubai – Leading firm in maritime, construction, and energy arbitration.
- Trowers & Hamlins LLP – Oman/UAE – Middle East presence in infrastructure and construction arbitration.
- Peter & Kim (South Korea/Switzerland) – Boutique firm with deep arbitration bench, including former judges and institutional leaders.
Top ADR Practitioners
- Michael Hwang SC (Singapore) – World-renowned arbitrator, former Chief Justice of Dubai DIFC Courts.
- Abhinav Bhushan (India/France) – Regional Director for South Asia, ICC.
- Nadja Alexander (Singapore) – Mediation expert and advisor to Singapore International Mediation Centre.
- Hi-Taek Shin (South Korea) – Influential academic and arbitrator in investment arbitration.
- Dr. Kabir Duggal (India/USA) – Internationally respected arbitrator and academic with ICSID and investor-state expertise.
- Lucy Reed (Singapore/USA) – President of SIAC Court and one of the most respected voices in arbitration.
- Sundaresh Menon (Singapore) – Chief Justice of Singapore, influential in shaping arbitration jurisprudence.
- Tariq Mahmood (Pakistan/UK) – Sought-after international arbitrator, part of various arbitration panels.
- Samaa Haridi (Egypt/USA) – Active in international commercial and investment arbitration, member of ICC and ICDR panels.
