With extensive capabilities across a multitude of complex multi-jurisdictional arbitrations, LALIVE‘s practice maintains a particularly strong presence in the construction and infrastructure, energy, mining, and pharma sectors. The practice is praised for its ’impressive partner engagement from high-level strategy to the tiniest details’. Joachim Knoll and Melissa Magliana with their vast expertise in managing international commercial arbitration for a varied host of clients. Former practice head Matthias Scherer is a strong choice for clients requiring assistance with disputes arising from joint ventures and M&A, among others, while Veijo Heiskanen is pre-eminent within the areas of commercial and investment arbitration. Marc Veit utilises his multi-jurisdictional expertise to handle disputes arising from energy, telecoms and life sciences sectors, with Bernd Ehle being another name to note in the practice.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team complimented each other very well. They decided their work to optimize performance. At the hearing, their use of technology to share, update and plan was top notch.'

  • They worked day and night to check and recheck their strategy. Their hard work and dedication was always above and beyond. A very difficult case was handled with the care and commitment any client would wish for.’

  • ‘This team is unique among all lawyers I ever worked this. Each member has unique qualities. Domitille Baizeau is a great leader. Tough but compassionate. Hard working and a great motivated and organizer. Catherine Anne Kunz is a great one-two partner as they finish each other's sentences but complete and complement one another.'

  • ‘Melissa Magliana is an extremely perceptive lawyer. Quick on her feet, precise in her written and oral explanations. Great strategist. Patient with clients and opposing counsel. Strong drafting skills and good case overview.’

  • ‘Hard-working team of dedicated specialists.'

  • 'Impressive partner engagement from high-level strategy to the tiniest details.’

  • ‘Sam Moss has a keen eye for strategy and an impressive ability to address the most minute details. Deep expertise in construction disputes. ’

Key clients

  • The government of Romania
  • Gate Gourmet
  • Prairie Mining
  • DSG Yapi San Tic A.S.
  • Republic of Latvia
  • Indiana Resources and Winshear Gold Corporation
  • Lupaka Gold Corporation
  • EnviroGold (Las Lagunas) Limited

Work highlights

  • Representing the Romanian government in a $4.75bn arbitration over a gold mining project under Romania’s bilateral investment treaties with Canada and the UK.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Michael Schneider
Michael Schneider
Hall of fameLALIVE
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Joachim Knoll, Melissa Magliana

Other key lawyers

Matthias Scherer, Veijo Heiskanen, Marc Veit, Bernd Ehle, Michael Schneider, Teresa Giovannini, Sam Moss, China Irwin, Catherine Kunz, Domitille Baizeau