Mediator Resume

Arbitrator with 70+ appointments in U.S.-seated and international commercial disputes, regularly selected by parties to resolve complex, cross-border business conflicts. Serves as chair, sole, and co-arbitrator, managing proceedings with a practical, commercially focused approach and issuing clear, enforceable awards, none of which have been set aside or refused enforcement. Partner at Akin Gump and Professor at Columbia Law School, with practice, teaching, and thought leadership all centered on arbitration. Member of leading arbitral boards, including the AAA/ICDR Council. Chambers-ranked and recognized as one of the 20 “Global Elite” Thought Leaders in the Americas, and widely regarded as a leading arbitrator of his generation.

Akin Gump - Partner (Arbitration) Columbia Law School - Lecturer-in-Law (teaching modules on arbitration) Center for International Commercial & Investment Arbitration - Senior Fellow and Advisor American Review of International Arbitration - Managing Editor

Arbitrator, Mediator; Professor

Partner, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, since 2026; Senior International Arbitration Advisor, Arnold & Porter LLP, 2018 - 2025; Senior Associate, Baker McKenzie LLP, 2015 - 2018; Senior Associate, Curtis Mallet-Prevost Colt & Mosle LLP, 2008 - 2015; Consultant, The World Bank Group, 2008 - 2008; Consultant, UNICEF, 2004 - 2006.

ARBITRATOR EXPERIENCE Serves as arbitrator and mediator in domestic and international commercial disputes, with 70+ appointments as chair, sole, and co-arbitrator. Regularly selected by parties in U.S.-seated and cross-border matters involving complex commercial relationships, including multi-party disputes, parallel proceedings, and coordinated proceedings across jurisdictions. Experience spans expedited and mid-size matters through to large, procedurally intensive disputes. SECTOR EXPERIENCE -Commercial Contracts & Supply Chains: pricing and payment disputes, defective or delayed performance, warranties, indemnities, limitation of liability, fraud -Corporate, M&A & Shareholder: mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, post-closing adjustments, earn-outs, valuation disputes, governance and fiduciary duty claims -Life Sciences & Biotechnology: licensing, product development, clinical research, manufacturing, commercialization -Intellectual Property, Technology & Web3: software and technology agreements, blockchain, smart contracts, digital assets, fintech, tokenization, telecommunications, licensing and ownership disputes -Financial Services: swaps, OTC derivatives, structured products, guarantees, private investment arrangements -Energy & Infrastructure: oil and gas, renewable energy (solar and wind), electricity generation and distribution, infrastructure projects -Business Relationships & Distribution: joint ventures, partnerships, franchising, cross-border distribution, exclusivity and non-compete disputes -Sports: commercial and contractual disputes involving sports organizations, athletes, sponsorship, licensing, and related business relationships EXPERIENCE AS A U.S. ARBITRATOR. Serves as arbitrator in U.S.-seated commercial arbitrations across major centers, including New York, Delaware, California, Texas, Utah, and the District of Columbia. Acts in disputes arising from commercial contracts, corporate transactions, financial arrangements, and technology-driven business relationships, as well as matters in life sciences and biotechnology, energy and infrastructure, telecommunications, aviation, sports, and cross-border supply and distribution networks. Regularly conducts proceedings under AAA/ICDR rules, including expedited and large complex cases. Co-Chair of the AAA’s Large, Complex Case (LCC) Committee. Familiar with the nuances of U.S. arbitration practice, including document production, privilege, evidentiary hearings, motion practice, expert evidence, and post-hearing submissions, with due regard to efficiency and goals of the parties. INTERNATIONAL AND CROSS BORDER EXPERIENCE Regularly appointed in international arbitrations seated across major arbitral centers and involving parties from every continent. Experience spans disputes arising in both civil and common law jurisdictions, often within a single proceeding involving multiple governing laws and legal traditions. Acts in disputes involving cross-border contracts, joint ventures, foreign investment structures, and international supply chains, frequently requiring coordination of evidence, witnesses, and counsel across jurisdictions. Familiar with institutional rules and procedural practices applied in international arbitration, including managing parallel proceedings, addressing jurisdictional and evidentiary issues, and structuring proceedings to accommodate differing legal and cultural approaches. Experience includes disputes involving multinational parties across Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa.

Involved in large, complex international and domestic arbitrations and mediations that cumulatively exceed US$80 billion under numerous bilateral/multilateral investment treaties and contracts in South Asia, Latin America, Central Asia, Middle East, Europe, and Africa. A CEDR certified mediator and an IMI qualified mediator, involved in several domestic and international mediation in all sectors including commercial, international, employment, among others.

Participated in a six month international mediation for a South Asian Government against an international telecommunications company incorporated in Mauritius. Amount in dispute: USD 2 billion. Participated in a Med-Arb procedure representing a Central Asian Government against an international oil consortium in the energy sector. Amount in dispute: USD 6 billion. Advised the Government of a South Asian country on a mediation strategy based on nationalization of certain energy and telecommunication contracts. Amount in dispute: USD 1 billion. Participated in an international mediation involving a Kazakh bank for failure to make payments. Amount in dispute: USD 4 million. Acted as a mediator in an employment dispute. Amount in dispute: USD 20 million. Acted as a mediator in a breach of contract dispute. Amount in dispute: USD 30 million.

I am a facilitative mediator willing to assist the parties in evaluating their cases. The hallmark of mediation is the flexibility of the process. The role of the mediator is to provide the parties with the opportunity to freely and confidentially discuss the dispute and explore a broad range of options for resolution. The mediator is a facilitator and guide in the communication between or among the parties. An effective mediator helps the parties to thoroughly understand and prepare for mediation, defines and refines the process to maximize the opportunities for resolution and encourages the parties to persevere in the sometimes difficult task of understanding each other’s views and the risks and benefits of settlement options and alternatives to settlement. In other words, I view mediation as a party-driven process. I am flexible to adopt any approach that the parties deem appropriate.

Extensive experience conducting arbitrations and mediations in virtual, hybrid, and in-person formats, with a practical approach to hearing management. Regularly manages remote hearings, evidentiary sessions, and procedural conferences using widely adopted platforms, ensuring effective coordination across parties, counsel, witnesses, and experts. Experienced in handling electronic records, e-bundles, and real-time document presentation, with established protocols for confidentiality, data integrity, and secure information sharing. No requirement for hard-copy submissions. Uses technology to streamline proceedings, manage time zones, and facilitate remote witness examination while maintaining clear and reliable hearing records. Adapts hearing structure and scheduling to reduce cost and delay while preserving procedural fairness. Familiar with institutional guidance and soft law frameworks relating to cybersecurity, data protection, and confidentiality, including secure platforms, access controls, and document management protocols. Familiar with the use of AI tools in dispute resolution and their limitations, with a focus on appropriate, transparent, and reliable application based on the agreement of the parties. Will tailor technology solutions to meet the needs of parties and the specific requirements of each dispute.

Harvard Law School (SJD (Doctoral Degree in Law), International Arbitration - 2026); Leiden Law School (PhD, International Arbitration - 2019); NYU School of Law (LLM, Hauser Global Scholar; Transitional Justice Fellow - 2008); University of Oxford (BCL, Master's Degree in Law/DHL-Times of India Scholar - 2007); NALSAR (Diploma in Humanitarian Law, Gold Medal - 2006);University of Mumbai (Diploma in Human Rights Law, Gold Medal - 2005; LLB, Gold Medal, 5 awards - 2004).

Admitted to the Bar: New York (2010), District of Columbia (2017); Admitted as a Barrister: England and Wales (2021; prior to that a Solicitor in England & Wales); Admitted to the Bar Council of Maharashtra & Goa, India (2004).

Extensively vetted and appointed to leading arbitral rosters globally, reflecting sustained demand for service as arbitrator in both U.S.-seated and international disputes across jurisdictions, industries, and legal systems. Panel appointments span North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, and include both commercial and specialized dispute resolution frameworks. Serves on the panels of major international and U.S. institutions, including the American Arbitration Association / International Centre for Dispute Resolution, Singapore International Arbitration Centre, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, Japan Commercial Arbitration Association, Korean Commercial Arbitration Board, Netherlands Arbitration Institute, and WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, among others. Also included on specialized and high-level panels reflecting subject-matter and public international law expertise, including the European Union Trade and Sustainable Development Panel of Arbitrators, the United Nations Office of the Ombudsman’s Global Arbitrators List, and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Presidential Panel. Appointments further extend to emerging and regional arbitration centers, including institutions in the Middle East (e.g., Abu Dhabi Global Market Arbitration Centre, Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration), Asia (e.g., Shanghai Arbitration Commission, Thailand Arbitration Center, eBRAM ODR), Africa (e.g., Kigali International Arbitration Centre, MARC (Mauritius)), Latin America (e.g., CBMA (Brazil), CICA (Costa Rica)), and offshore and financial centers (e.g., BVI International Arbitration Centre, AIFC / Astana International Arbitration Centre). These appointments reflect experience across commercial, financial, technology, energy, life sciences, and investor-related disputes, and familiarity with diverse procedural rules and practices. Full list of institutional affiliations available upon request.

Recent Publications Author of 70+ publications and 10 books in arbitration, widely relied upon by arbitrators, counsel, and courts for their practical treatment of procedure, evidence, and case management in commercial disputes. Work has been cited by arbitral tribunals and national courts, including the Supreme Court of Switzerland, reflecting direct use in practice. Selected books include: -U.S. Supreme Court Precedents on Arbitration: Shaping the American Arbitration Law and Practice (Brill, 2025) -England & Wales Court Judgments on Arbitration: Shaping English Arbitration Law and Practice (Brill, 2026) -Soft Law in International Arbitration (Juris, 2nd ed., 2024) -Force Majeure and Hardship in the Asia-Pacific Region (Juris, 2022) -Pro-Arbitration Revisited: A Tribute to Professor George Bermann (Juris, 2023) (Co-Editor) -International Investment Law and Arbitration in Central Asia (Wolters Kluwer, 2023) (Co-Editor). Recipient of leading distinctions in arbitration, including the Smit-Lowenfeld Prize (for the most outstanding article in international arbitration) and the Albert H. Pegram Award (recognizing outstanding scholarship and contribution to dispute resolution), among other recognitions. Speaking Engagements Delivered 500+ speaking engagements worldwide, and regularly invited as a keynote speaker at leading arbitration forums, reflecting sustained demand for practical, commercially grounded insight into international arbitration. Recent keynote and featured engagements include: -Keynote, Hot Topics in International Arbitration: Corruption and Conflicts of Interest, American Chamber of Commerce, Lima (2024) -Keynote, International Arbitration Developments and Practice, New York City Bar Association (2024) -Keynote, Advocacy for Advocates: Effective Strategies in Arbitration, International Centre for Dispute Resolution programs -Keynote, International Arbitration and Contemporary Challenges, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Roebuck Lecture (2023) -Keynote, Modern ADR in a Global Context, National ADR Convention (Philippines) Regularly invited to speak at practitioner-focused programs and conferences hosted by the American Arbitration Association / International Centre for Dispute Resolution, the American Bar Association, and major arbitration conferences and arbitration weeks across North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. Speaking topics focus on issues central to commercial arbitration, including: -Efficient and proportionate case management -Evidence, document production, and hearing management -Drafting and interpretation of arbitration clauses -Contract disputes, including delay, performance, and risk allocation -Financial disputes, valuation, and damages -Technology and systems-related disputes -Conflicts of interest, independence, and due process Recognized as a high-demand, award-winning speaker, known for delivering clear, practical, and commercially focused guidance grounded in experience as arbitrator.

No travel charges for hearings conducted in mutually agreed locations. Remote and hybrid formats are readily accommodated to reduce cost and scheduling constraints. Will work with the parties to structure hearing logistics in a practical and efficient manner, consistent with procedural fairness and due process.

Hourly Rate: $850.00 Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: $850.00/hr Cancellation: Not provided Cancellation Period: 15 Days Comment: (1) Travel Policy: In case of travel outside of New York City, will bill for reasonable out-of-pocket costs (including transportation, food, hotel, and non-refundable canceled tickets). Willing to travel internationally. (2) Cancellation: Parties must cover reasonable compensation and expenses incurred up to parties’ notice of withdrawal/settlement inclusive of any non-refundable expenses (e.g., travel) incurred in prior to such withdrawal/settlement. If cancellation occurs within a 15 day period, the mediator may waive the fees but may also seek a reasonable payment for the days booked for the mediation.

English; Hindi

United States of America

New York, New York