International chartered arbitrator and accredited mediator with significant experience in commercial disputes in both the Civil and Common Law systems.

Formerly a lawyer at a top-tier New York law firm, went on to join a prominent American firm in 2008 to expand Middle East operations. Currently, serves as a partner at Chrysalis LLP, a Dubai-based arbitration firm established in 2016. Having served as arbitrator on over 40 cases under a variety of rules, specializes in disputes pertaining to construction, infrastructure, international trade, shareholder and joint venture matters, and real estate.

Current Employer / Title

Chrysalis (FZE) / Founding Partner

Profession

Attorney, Arbitrator, Mediator, ADR Practitioner, Dispute Board Member

Primary Areas of Expertise

• Real Estate

• International Trade Construction & Engineering Infrastructure

• Oil & Gas

• Technology

Work History

Founding Partner, Chrysalis (FZE), 2016 – Present; Counsel, Nabarro LLP (now CMS), 2014 –2016; Senior Associate, Chadbourne & Parke LLP (now merged with Norton Rose), 2012 – 2014; Senior Associate, Patton Boggs (now Squire Patton Boggs), 2008 – 2012; Associate, Peckar & Abramson P.C., 2003 – 2008.

Experience

Extensive experience (as counsel and arbitrator) with arbitrations arising out of construction of social and economic infrastructure projects in a variety of countries in Eurasia, the Middle East, North and South America and India. Disputes have related to crude oil pipelines, gas compressor stations, airports (including maintenance hangers), telecom towers, catering facilities, educational facilities, roadways, waterway systems, luxury residences, high-rise commercial towers, and mixed-use facilities.

Experienced in arbitration related to international trade and business-related matters, including disputes arising out of international mergers and acquisitions, and shareholder/commercial agency disputes.

Trained and accredited as a facilitative mediator in commercial cases; mediated a dispute in relation to the assets of a family office.

As counsel, represented the steering committee of a major airport in the Middle East in two evaluative mediations in relation to the construction of various phases of the airport.

Alternative Dispute Resolution Experience

Served as an arbitrator in over 40 cases, serving as chairman, wing and sole arbitrator in large/complex international construction and infrastructure projects, joint-venture and shareholder, international sale of goods and technology arbitrations.

Technology Proficiency

Familiar with various online platforms (i.e. Zoom, GoToMeeting, MS Teams, etc.) and willing to conduct arbitrations virtually where possible. Preference for sharing electronic documents throughout the case (hard copies of exhibits not encouraged at the evidentiary hearings).

Working knowledge of MS Office, Adobe Acrobat Pro, Excel, etc.

Education

Oxford (Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration-2021); Fordham University  School of Law (LL.M, International Business and Trade Law-2002); CIArb Accredited Mediator (2019).

Professional Licenses

Admitted to the Bar: New York (2002); U.S. District Court: Southern District of New York (2005); U.S. Supreme Court (2008).

United Arab Emirates, DIFC Courts in Part II (2015).

Professional Associations

Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UAE Branch (Committee Member); Diversity & Inclusion Officer and Council Member of the International Bar Association (IBA); Society of Construction Law (Gulf) (Member); Chartered Arbitrator and Fellow and Chartered Arbitrator – Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb); London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) (Member); ICC Arbitration Committee, UAE and UK Chapters (Member); ArbitralWomen (Member).

Citizenship

United Kingdom

Languages

English; Persian