Overview
Avocat Attorney-at-law
Member of the Paris Bar
Member of the New York Bar
Member of the Beirut Bar
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).
Work Highlights
Recent matters of significance where substantial involvement can be disclosed have included:
- Counsel to an African State in the successful dismissal of an ICSID arbitration brought by an investor
- Counsel to an African State in several ICC and ad hoc arbitrations
- Counsel to a major French company in several ICC arbitrations in relation to a post-M&A dispute
- Counsel to a Middle Eastern State-owned company in an ICC arbitration in relation to a construction project
- Counsel to a European company in an international arbitration against a State
- Counsel to the CEO of a Middle Eastern company in successfully defending an over $200 million arbitration
- Counsel to a major international bank in an LCIA arbitration relating to a project in Iraq. The matter was successfully settled
- Counsel to an Abu Dhabi-based major telecommunication company in winning an ICC arbitration, as well as in various court proceedings in relation to an investment in Africa
- Counsel to a leading steel company in the successful dismissal of a $80 million ICC arbitration
- Counsel to a Middle Eastern media company in winning a Paris-based ICC arbitration in relation to the performance and termination of an agreement
- Counsel to an Algerian company in successfully defending an ICC claim
- Counsel to a Middle Eastern-based claimant in a London-based international arbitration
- Counsel to a major pharmaceutical company in an ICC arbitration
- Counsel to an African State in several ICC proceedings, including the dismissal of a $174 million arbitration relating to oil contracts
Beyond the Office
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
Professional Offices:
- 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.)
Education and Qualifications
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
He speaks French, English, Arabic
Thought Leadership
Has published numerous articles dealing with various arbitration topics (Journal of International Arbitration, the International Business Law Journal, Revue de l’Arbitrage, Business and Law Review, Arbitration News, the International Journal of Arab Arbitration, and the Lebanese Review of Arab and International Arbitration) and has spoken at over eighty arbitration conferences and seminars, including most recently:
- “Catch me if (and while) you can: How to Navigate Interim Measures in International Arbitration”, Co-Chair and Speaker, ICC Institute Advanced Training Level Seminar, Dubai, 16 February 2020
- “Are new rules changing arbitration and is it time to revisit the arbitral proceedings?”, Co-Chair and Moderator, GAR Live Paris Conference, Paris, 27 November 2019
- “Dealing with corruption issues in international arbitration”, GAR Live Construction Disputes Conference, Paris, 4 April 2019
- “Global and local trends for arbitration: Prague Rules, Corruption, Expedited Proceedings and Diversity”, ICC Jordan Arbitration Day, Amman, 17 January 2019
- “Recent developments in ICC arbitration”, ICC Kuwait Arbitration Day, Kuwait City, 6 November 2018
- Mitigating risks: Exploring the latest Africa trends, Webber Wentzel Conference, Johannesburg, 9 October 2018
- “Conflicts of interest and Disclosures: General Principles and Practices”, 3rd Annual Meeting of the ICC Arab Arbitration Group, Beirut, 22 September 2018
- “Post-crisis disputes: Strategic considerations and business expectations”, LCIA Conference, Beirut, 18 January 2018
- “The use of languages in international arbitration”, CRCICA/CFA Conference, Cairo, 9 January 2018
- “GAR Live Inquisition - on Annulled Awards”, GAR Conference, Paris, 29 November 2017
- “Selecting the seat of arbitration”, ICC YAF, Beirut, 28 July 2017
- “Strategic questions in Arbitration”, Special Guest Speaker, ASA below 40, 12 May 2017
- “Emergence of expedited proceedings and analysis of their innovative features”, Cambridge Arbitration Day, 18 March 2017
- “Opening statements in international arbitration”, FIAA Workshop, Geneva, 27 January 2017
- “Bias, self-insight, vested interests, and self-deception in judgment and decision making: challenges set by the requirement of arbitrator inequality”, Oxford, 16 December 2016
- “The Adaptation of Long-Term Contracts to Changing Circumstances”, Swedish Arbitration Days, Stockholm, 9 September 2016
- “The Latest Developments in Investment Arbitration”, GAR Live, Istanbul, 24 June 2016
- “Threats and Challenges in International Arbitration”, ICCA Breakfast Seminar, Mauritius, 9 May 2016
- “Third Party Funding in International Arbitration”, Columbia Arbitration Day, New York, 21 February 2016
- “The Role of African Courts: Enforcement Against Public Entities”, Casablanca Arbitration Days, Casablanca, 11-12 December 2015
- “ICC Arbitration in the Middle East: An Insider View”, ICC Conference, Dubai, 18 November 2015
- “The Impact of Sanctions on International Arbitration”, International Bar Association (IBA) Annual Conference, Vienna, 6 October 2015
- “Challenge and Replacement of Arbitrators”, Masterclass for Arbitrators, ICC, Paris, 20 May 2015
- “Investment Arbitration: Is the Middle East Heading the Way of Latin America?”, 1st GAR Live Dubai, 20 November 2014
- “What Can International Arbitration Learn From the Arab World?”, DIS Annual Conference, Berlin, 18 September 2014
- “The Cross–Examination of Expert Witnesses in International Arbitration, Dos and Don’ts”, Swedish Arbitration Days, Stockholm, 5 September 2014
- “Structuring and Restructuring in Investment Arbitration”, Ninth Fordham International Arbitration Conference, New York, 13 June 2014
- “Drafting Enforceable Awards”, ICC Advanced Level Training, Dubai, 10 March 2014
- “Corporate Choices in International Arbitration”, PwC Annual Seminar: Perspectives in International Arbitration, Dubai, 15 May 2013
- Mock Court Session: “Arbitrators’ Ethics from the ICC Court’s Standpoint”, ICC's First Annual Conference on International Arbitration in the MENA Region, Dubai, 16-17 April 2013
- LCIA Arab User’s Council Conference, Co-Chair of session on “Independence and Challenge of Arbitrators”, Doha, 21 March 2013
- “Case Management Techniques under the New ICC Rules and How these Can Lead to Improving Time and Cost Efficiency”, 1st ICC YAF MENA Symposium, Dubai, 24 January 2013
- “The Impact of Trade Sanctions on International Arbitration”, ICC YAF Conference, Geneva, 11 January 2013
Admissions