(February 21, 2012, Weil News)
International law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP today announced that Washington, DC-based Arif Hyder Ali joins London-based Juliet Blanch as co-head of Weil’s International Arbitration practice. Mr. Ali joins the firm together with partners Alexandre de Gramont, Theodore R. Posner and Samaa A.F. Haridi.
“This group of partners helps further position our practice in the global market to mirror the needs of our clients,” said Executive Partner Barry M. Wolf. “We are happy to welcome each of these accomplished practitioners to Weil.”
“This team has the reputation, trial expertise and experience to work on the most complex, global cases, affording Weil an even greater bandwidth to serve future growth,” said Jim Quinn, Co-Chair of Weil’s Litigation Department. “We are also excited to welcome Arif as Co-Chair of our International Arbitration practice.”
Mr. Ali, Mr. de Gramont, and Mr. Posner join Weil’s Washington, DC office while Ms. Haridi is based in the New York office. They all join from Crowell & Moring LLP, where Mr. Ali was Chair of the firm’s International Arbitration Practice and Mr. de Gramont served as Vice-Chair.
Mr. Ali has represented clients in a number of precedent-setting commercial and investor-state international arbitrations around the world, especially in the energy, hydrocarbons and minerals industries, and is a highly-ranked practitioner both in the United States and globally. Mr. de Gramont has handled international arbitration matters for more than ten years and has gained a reputation as a leading international arbitration lawyer in the United States.
Mr. Posner brings to the team over a decade’s experience in government, including negotiating international trade and investment agreements and representing the United States in some of the most complex state-to-state arbitrations to come before the World Trade Organization. Ms. Haridi focuses on complex international litigation and arbitration proceedings and is particularly experienced in international disputes relating to the Middle East.
Mr. Ali said, “Juliet and I have often discussed our vision for a world-leading international arbitration practice. My partners and I are thrilled to be joining forces with Juliet and her team and look forward to implementing our common vision of an integrated international arbitration practice operating across Weil’s multi-jurisdictional international platform.”
This news appeared in the following publications (may require registration/subscription):
- Global Arbitration Review: A Valentine's day parting: Ali leaves Crowell for Weil (Feb. 14, 2012)
- IFLR 1000: Weil recruits top arbitrator from Crowell & Moring (Feb. 21, 2012)
- Washington Post: Crowell & Moring loses attorneys (Feb. 19, 2012)
- The Deal: Movers & shakers (Feb. 22, 2012)
- Thomson Reuters: Career Tracker: Lawyers on the move - Feb. 22, 2012
- National Law Journal: Moves (Feb. 27, 2012)
- Wall Street Journal: Comings & Goings (Feb. 27, 2012)
- Commercial Dispute Resolution: Weil Gotshal appoints Arif Hyder Ali International Arbitration Practice Co-Chair (Feb. 28, 2012)
- The Lawyer: Moves (March 5, 2012)
- Who's Who Legal: Weil appoints leading arbitration team in DC (March 13, 2012)