Alston & Bird has further strengthened its Litigation & Trial Practice Group and International Arbitration & Dispute Resolution Team with the addition of partner Amir Ghaffari and counsel Julia-Didon Cayre, who will reside in the firm’s London office. Amir focuses on complex international commercial and construction arbitration, advising multinational corporations, state-owned entities, financial institutions, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. Julia focuses on advising global clients in commercial proceedings under the rules of all major arbitral institutions.
“The arrival of Amir and Julia underscores our commitment to growing our international arbitration platform globally,” said Richard Willis, partner-in-charge of Alston & Bird’s London office. “Amir’s extensive international commercial and construction arbitration experience further bolsters our capabilities in the UK and well beyond, and our new colleagues enhance the value we offer to clients across our litigation practices.”
“Amir is a dedicated advocate with more than two decades of experience handling complex, high-stakes matters in London, Dubai, Paris, and other locations around the world,” said Matt Richardson, co-chair of Alston & Bird’s Litigation & Trial Practice Group and International Arbitration & Dispute Resolution Team. Alex Yanos, co-chair of the team, said, “He and Julia bring a deft approach and seasoned perspectives that will strengthen our ability to serve global clients in construction and a range of other industries.”
Amir’s clients include owners and developers, EPC and EPCM contractors, engineers, major equipment suppliers, insurers, and subcontractors. He also represents government entities and corporations in energy-related disputes. Other key areas of Amir’s practice include shareholder, joint venture, and post-M&A disputes encompassing a multitude of sectors.
“I’m honored to join Alston & Bird in London, where I look forward to growing my international dispute resolution practice in collaboration with the firm’s highly respected platform,” said Amir. “I’m thrilled to be part of a firm that prioritizes collegiality and teamwork to build strong teams that deliver results.”
Julia advises on high-value, investor-state proceedings under complex international rules. Her expertise in complex disputes spans a variety of sectors, including oil and gas, mining, hospitality, and pharmaceuticals.
Amir and Julia join from Ghaffari Partners in Dubai, where Amir was the international arbitration boutique’s founding partner. Their move to Alston & Bird follows the London team’s recent additions of Financial Services Litigation partner Nick Brocklesby and International Arbitration & Dispute Resolution partner Will Hooker.
Alston & Bird’s International Arbitration & Dispute Resolution Team handles the full range of high-stakes and commercial disputes in administered and ad hoc arbitrations around the world. The attorneys use arbitration to resolve contractual disputes with foreign companies to ensure clients’ claims are heard by a neutral, sophisticated tribunal and that any award is globally enforceable. The team has represented clients in some of the largest international commercial arbitrations, including matters where the amount in controversy exceeded US$5 billion.
The team represents clients in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East in business disputes involving energy, natural resources, infrastructure, and construction, as well as commercial arbitrations involving issues related to intellectual property, competition law, construction, and energy. The attorneys have arbitrated under the rules of almost every major global arbitral institution, including the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), AAA’s International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC), London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC), and Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC).