Linklaters LLP

Litigation, Arbitration & Investigations

Roland has acted as counsel in approximately one hundred international arbitration cases (ICC, UNCITRAL, LCIA, ICSID, AAA, SCC, OHADA, PCA, and ad hoc) and has represented and advised private companies (from the United States of America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa), states, and international organisations.

Roland has also acted as arbitrator in over 45 international arbitrations (ICC, LCIA, ICSID, UNCITRAL, SCC, Swiss Chambers, DIAC, DIFC-LCIA, AFA, CRCICA). He was a member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration for 9 years.

Roland is distinguished by Chambers Global and Chambers Europe, The International Who’s Who on Commercial Arbitration, Best Lawyers, as well as the Guide to the World's Leading Experts in Commercial Arbitration, for his experience and expertise in international arbitration. In 2011, Global Arbitration Review named Roland as one of the 45 top arbitration lawyers under the age of 45 and in 2017, Global Arbitration Review ranked him in the top three worldwide of partners below 45. In 2018, he was selected by Who’s Who Legal among the 10 leading and most highly regarded arbitration counsel and arbitrators in France and in 2019 he was identified among the top 15 Global Elite Thought Leaders for the EMENA Region.

According to Chambers, Roland is consistently considered as  “a bright lawyer” and “skilled arbitrator.”   He “attracts high praise from clients, with one saying: ‘I appreciated his ability to understand how corporate clients view the law, rather than looking at it as a purist - this is actually rarer than you think.’ Other sources describe him as ‘an outstanding lawyer; he is extremely talented and very efficient.’ He is highly experienced on acting in Middle East-related cases.” He is also “well respected for his work in North and Sub-Saharan Africa, with considerable experience of investment treaty arbitrations.” Roland is “highlighted by clients for his attention to detail and precision in risk assessment.” Interviewees also say that he "looks at the file from all angles and doesn't leave any part of the puzzle unfilled" and that "he is able to quickly factor in the client’s expectations and to adapt to complex situations."  He impresses sources  as “a very, very good and very very accomplished guy”  with “considerable experience of investment treaty arbitration.”  Clients appreciate his ‘excellent knowledge of the procedural aspects of an arbitration, as well as his broad knowledge of international jurisprudence,’ with one enthusing that he is a “star."  (Chambers Global).

According to Who’s Who Legal,  “the eminent Roland Ziadé is described as an ‘outstanding negotiator’ with significant experience on the international scene.” “Described as a ‘star’”, he “emerges as one of the titans of the arbitration market in Europe” and is “regarded as one of the most sought-after counsel for international arbitrations, particularly in reference to ICC arbitration.” He “has extensive experience sitting as arbitrator in major disputes and draw praise for ‘his multicultural mindset and excellent knowledge of commercial arbitration’” (Who’s Who Legal).

Legal 500 considers that he “stands out for being very knowledgeable, sharp and passionate. Each new case is treated as if it was the case that will change his career. He has great capacity to anticipate and address the moves of the adverse party and to predict the expectations of the tribunal. He is definitively a top arbitration lawyer and someone to better have on one’s own side when facing an arbitration dispute” (Legal 500).

2013 to date Partner, Linklaters, Paris 2010 to date Lecturer on International Arbitration (Université de Versailles, Sciences Po and Paris Bar School) 2010 - 2013 Counsel, Cleary Gottlieb, Paris and Abu Dhabi 2002 - 2009 Associate, Cleary Gottlieb, New York and Paris 1999 - 2001 Associate, Stibbe (now Latham & Watkins), Paris

French, English, Arabic

Member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration Member of the ICC Commission on Arbitration Member of various ICC arbitration-related Task Forces Member of the Executive Committee of the Comité Français de l’Arbitrage Member of the Executive Committee of the Foundation for International Arbitration Advocacy Member of the Executive Committee of the Harvard Club of France Member of numerous arbitral organisations (LCIA, IAI, AFA, ASA etc.)

2003 - Admitted to the New York Bar 2002 - Harvard Law School – LLM (Fulbright Scholar) 1999 - Admitted to the Beirut Bar 1999 - Admitted to the Paris Bar (Laureate, 2nd out of 1055 students) 1996 - Hague Academy of International Law Certificate 1996 - University of Paris I (Sorbonne): DESS in International Trade Law 1996 - University of Paris II (Assas): DEA in Private International Law and International Business Law 1995 - University of Paris II (Assas): Maîtrise in Business Law