About

Provided by Lalive


LALIVE is a global leader in international commercial arbitration. Founded over 50 years ago by pioneers who shaped the world of arbitration, the team is recognised today as ‘arbitration royalty’ by Global Arbitration Review’s GAR 30 index of the world’s leading arbitration experts.


LALIVE's lawyers are disputes specialists, focused on providing top-tier arbitration expertise to individuals, corporations, and States, on their most complex and critical matters. They bring an unrivalled breadth and depth of experience in high-value, international disputes, in particular in the construction, infrastructure, energy, mining and pharmaceutical sectors.


The firm's expertise spans borders and cultures, reflecting our clients’ needs. The team includes over 25 nationalities speaking some 20 languages, and qualified in over 15 jurisdictions. They handle proceedings across a broad range of jurisdictions and under arbitration rules worldwide. In 2023, the firm was involved in arbitrations involving 49 different applicable laws and 26 arbitral seats in Europe, the US, Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia. This diversity and international reach form part of the firm’s DNA.


The firm's lawyers routinely act as both counsel and arbitrators in arbitral proceedings, allowing them to bring a strategic and balanced view to every case. Many are recognised as leading figures in the field and hold key positions in international arbitral institutions and associations.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers
Arbitration (International) - Europe-wide
2
Band 2
What the team is known for

Lalive is an outstanding Swiss firm operating out of Geneva, Zürich and London, with the experience and reputation to compete on a pan-European level. Its team is praised for its prowess in large-scale investor-state arbitrations on behalf of states as well as state-owned and private companies. The firm is particularly active in the energy, construction and mining sectors, with a strong caseload of ICSID and UNCITRAL arbitrations relating to disputes between European and Middle Eastern or Asian parties. The firm is recognised as a superb choice to handle Geneva-seated commercial cases, with additional experience in cases seated in London or Helsinki. It is also well reputed for the numerous prominent arbitrators within its ranks.

Work Highlights

Provided by Lalive
  • Lalive represented Romania in a ICSID arbitration initiated by Canadian and UK investors concerning a gold mining project under Romania's bilateral investment treaties with the two countries.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers
Domitille Baizeau
2
Domitille Baizeau
2
Band 2

Domitille Baizeau demonstrates prowess in acting as counsel in various investor-state and commercial disputes governed by different arbitration rules such as those of the ICC and UNCITRAL. She is also an increasingly visible arbitrator, acting as president or co-arbitrator in European-seated tribunals.

"Domitille Baizeau is very brilliant and diplomatic as well."

Matthias Scherer
2
Matthias Scherer
2
Band 2

Clients appreciate Matthias Scherer for his expertise in high-profile investor-state arbitrations under ICSID rules, where he mostly acts for European states. He is also in demand as an arbitrator, sitting in ICC and SCC tribunals in Switzerland and Stockholm.

"Matthias is a refined professional. He is clever, intuitive, determined and an extraordinary cross-examiner."

"His composure, vision and vast knowledge have more than proved their effectiveness over the years."

Michael E Schneider
2
Michael E Schneider
2
Band 2

Michael Schneider is a well-respected figure in the European arbitration community. He is particularly appreciated for his role as an arbitrator in ICSID and ICC tribunals across the continent.

Noradèle Radjai
4
Noradèle Radjai
4
Band 4

With her experience in handling BIT claims under ICSID rules as well as European-wide ICC arbitrations, Noradèle Radjai is well placed to represent Eastern European states as well as construction companies.

"The best and most well-informed arbitration specialist we have used in many years."

"Noradèle Rajai is an excellent lawyer and an understated star."

5
Joachim Knoll
5
Band 5

Joachim Knoll has a particularly strong arbitration practice advising a wide range of clients from the mining world, oil and gas companies and the finance sector, among many others. He has experience of UNCITRAL arbitrations, ECT and BIT matters and ICSID tribunals.

"Joachim is a team leader who always tries to weigh up all the risks and options, choosing the best one for the situation."

"Joachim is very competent and reliable."

"He's a balanced, calm professional."

Ranked Lawyers at
Lalive

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Europe-wide

Arbitration (International)

Domitille Baizeau
3
Domitille Baizeau
3
Band 3
Matthias Scherer
3
Matthias Scherer
3
Band 3
Noradèle Radjai
4
Noradèle Radjai
4
Band 4
5
Joachim Knoll
5
Band 5
International Arbitration: Most In Demand Arbitrators

Domitille Baizeau
2
Domitille Baizeau
2
Band 2
Matthias Scherer
2
Matthias Scherer
2
Band 2
Michael E Schneider
2
Michael E Schneider
2
Band 2

Members

Provided by Lalive

Joachim Knoll

Head of Department

Melissa Magliana

Head of Department

Industries

Provided by Lalive

Aerospace & Defence

Automobiles & Parts

Banks

Chemicals

Commercial & Professional Services

Construction & Materials

Consumer Product Manufacturing

Energy

Financial Services

Food & Drink Producers

Forestry & Paper

Government

Industrial Engineering

Media

Mining & Metals

Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences

Private Clients / Individuals

Real Estate

Sports

Technology, Hardware & Electronics

Telecommunications

Transportation

Travel & Leisure

Utilities