PARTNERS

Marie-Laure Bizeau

EMAIL ml.bizeau@medici.law

PHONE  +33 1 81 70 82 50

Valence Borgia

EMAIL valence.borgia@medici.law

PHONE +33 1 81 70 82 50

Caroline Duclercq

EMAIL caroline.duclercq@medici.law

PHONE +33 1 81 70 82 50

Marie-Laure Bizeau

EMAIL ml.bizeau@medici.law

PHONE +33 1 81 70 82 50

ADMISSION

• Paris Bar

LANGUAGES

• English 
  
• French

EDUCATION

• Paris Bar School — Paris, France (2002)
  
• Postgraduate Degree (DESS) in Litigation, Arbitration and ADR – University of Paris II–Assas (2001)
• Postgraduate Degree (DESS) in International Business Law – University of Paris I Sorbonne (1999)

Marie-Laure Bizeau is a partner at Medici. Admitted to the Paris Bar in 2003, she began her career with Serge Lazareff and then worked at Derains & Gharavi International since its creation, for more than 11 years, including as a partner from 2018 to 2020. She has more than 17 years of experience in international arbitration during which she has acted as Counsel in numerous commercial arbitration proceedings governed by the rules of the largest arbitration institutions (ICC, LCIA, DIAC, CRCICA Swiss Rules of International Arbitration, KCAB, TRAC and UNCITRAL) as well as in investment arbitration proceedings, whether ad hoc (notably under the aegis of The Agreement for Promotion, Protection and Guarantee of Investments among the Member States of the Organization of the Islamic Conference) or under the ICSID Rules.

Marie-Laure has been involved in arbitrations relating to construction, sales and service contracts, distribution and license agreements, joint ventures and shareholder relationships in the sectors of energy (oil and gas), infrastructure, telecommunication, hospitality, pharmaceuticals, and investments in general. Her experience covers proceedings governed by civil law, common law, investment treaties and general public international law.

In addition, she has developed a strong practice in peri-arbitral litigation and more particularly in proceedings for the annulment and enforcement of awards before French courts as well as in proceedings relating to the liability of the various parties involved in the arbitration proceedings.

Marie-Laure also regularly acts as an arbitrator in domestic and international commercial arbitration proceedings.

RECOGNITION

• Since 2017, Marie-Laure has been included in the Who's Who Legal list of Future Leaders in International Arbitration, which describes her as "absolutely first-class, praised for her depth of intellect and super client skills";
• In 2021, Marie-Laure is ranked in the Arbitrators list of the Magazine Décideurs in the “Strong reputation” category;
  
• She is also recognized by Legal 500 as a "'notable' practitioner" (2020 EMEA Edition).  

EXPERIENCE

Experience as Counsel in investment arbitration and ICSID annulment proceedings

• Counsel to Finetis SARL and Finetis Maroc SA in an ICSID arbitration against the Kingdom of Morocco relating to the construction and operation of a high-speed telecommunications infrastructure;
• Counsel to a Tunisian company in an arbitration against the Republic of Gabon initiated under the Investment Agreement of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in relation to the construction of social housing buildings in the Republic of Gabon;
• Counsel to a French company in an ICSID arbitration against the Republic of Guinea relating to the construction of a building complex in Conakry;
• Counsel to Lebanese investors in an ICSID arbitration against the Democratic Republic of Congo relating to the expropriation of an investment in the construction and wood industries and in the annulment proceedings initiated by the Democratic Republic of Congo against the award (Antoine Abou Lahoud and Leila Bounafeh-Abou Lahoud v. Democratic Republic of the Congo, ICSID Case No. ARB/10/4);
• Counsel to the Republic of Togo in ICSID annulment proceedings initiated against Togo Elecritcité and GDF Suez and relating to a dispute concerning a concession in the electricity industry.

Experience as Counsel in ad hoc and institutional commercial arbitration proceedings

• Counsel to a Belgian company in an ICC arbitration against an African State relating to a leasing contract - Claims: EUR 87.000.000 — Seat: Paris — Cameroonian law;
• Counsel to an American company against an Italian company in an ICC arbitration concerning a contract for the supply of industrial paint —  Seat: Geneva — Swiss law;
• Counsel to a Middle East company against European companies in an ICC arbitration related to car distribution contracts;
  
• Counsel in mediation proceedings under the auspices of the CMAP (Centre for mediation and arbitration of Paris) between a European hospitality group and a French company relating to the operation of overseas hotel complexes;
  
• Counsel to a Middle East State in an ICC arbitration against an Asian company arising out of the design and construction of a solid waste management facility;
  
• Counsel to a commercial agent in an arbitration under the Swiss Rules of International Arbitration against various companies of the same group and relating to an agency contract;
  
• Counsel to a European bank in an ICC arbitration against another European bank relating to a share purchase agreement;
• Counsel to an Indian company in an ICC arbitration against a Spanish company relating to the manufacture  and delivery of materials as part of a plant construction;
• Counsel to a Middle East citizen in an ICC arbitration relating to a debt collection and the implementation of a demand guarantee;
• Counsel to a French company in an ICC arbitration relating to a service contract;
  
• Counsel to a French company in a domestic commercial arbitration relating to hotel management contracts;
  
• Counsel to an Iranian construction company in an ICC arbitration against an Italian company relating to the breach of a construction contract.

Experience in proceedings related to arbitration

• Counsel to an Emirati company against a Libyan company in annulment proceedings initiated against an ICC award > See article in GAR :  "Enforcement of Libyan oil award stayed in Paris";
  
• Counsel to a Qatari company against an UAE company in annulment proceedings initiated against an ICC award > See article in GAR : "Audi Volkswagen award set aside in Paris" and "French court upholds annulment over law firm conflict";
  
• Counsel to a British company against Uzbekistan in proceedings for partial annulment of an investment arbitration award;
• Counsel to an Tunisian company against the Republic of Gabon in proceedings for partial annulment of an investment arbitration award;
  
• Counsel to an Iraqi company against a French company in annulment proceedings initiated against an ICC award;
  
• Counsel to an Iranian company against an Italian company in annulment proceedings initiated against an ICC award;
  
• Counsel to a French company against a Tunisian company in annulment proceedings initiated against an ICC award;
  
• Counsel to a Dutch company against a Germany company in annulment proceedings initiated against an ad hoc arbitration award.

Experience as arbitrator

• Chairman of the Arbitral Tribunal in an ICC arbitration between a European company and a Taiwanese company relating to the sale of solar modules;
• Chairman of the Arbitral Tribunal in an ICC arbitration between two North African companies relating to a services contract;
• Chairman of the Arbitral Tribunal in an ICC arbitration between a Middle East company and a European company relating to an industrial equipment purchase contract;
• Sole arbitrator in an ICC arbitration relating to a contract for the construction of a road;
• Sole arbitrator in an ad hoc arbitration between European companies relating to a cooperation agreement for the management of an oil licence;
• Sole arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between French companies relating to a contract for the distribution of pharmaceutical products;
• Sole arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between European companies relating to the sale of wind turbines;
• Sole arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between French companies relating to the management of a nuclear power plant;
• Sole arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between French companies relating to a purchase contract;
• Sole arbitrator in an ICC arbitration relating to a contract for the inspection of goods;
  
• Co-arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between European and North African companies relating to a construction contract;
• Co-arbitrator in an ad hoc arbitration relating to a franchise contract for the operating of a supermarket;
  
• Co-arbitrator in an ad hoc arbitration relating to a contract for the construction of a hotel.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Since 2020 — Founding Partner, Medici (Paris)
• 2018-2020 — Partner, Derains & Gharavi (Paris)
• 2015-2018 — Counsel, Derains & Gharavi (Paris)
• 2009-2015 — Associate, Derains & Gharavi (Paris)
• 2003 -2008 — Associate, Cabinet Lazareff (Paris)

MANDATES / TEACHING

• Since 2014 — Visiting lecturer in international and internal arbitration at the University of Montpellier;
  
• Lecturer at the Paris Bar School of the Paris Court of Appeal;
• Member of the Arbitration and ADR Commission of ICC France.
  
• Member of the French Arbitration Association (AFA)
  
• Member of the CMAP (Centre of Mediation and Arbitration of Paris
  

EDUCATION

• 2003 — Postgraduate Degree (DESS) in Litigation, Arbitration and ADR – University of Paris II–Assas
• 2002 — Postgraduate Degree (DESS) in Litigation, Arbitration and ADR — University of Paris II–Assas
• 1999 — Postgraduate Degree (DESS) in International Business Law — University of Paris I, Sorbonne

PUBLICATIONS / SPEAKER

• Guillaume Feld & Marie-Laure Bizeau, ""Living hidden to be happy" - Myths, reality and practice of ad hoc commercial arbitration" in La Revue de l'arbitrage, n°1, January-March 2021;
• "Introductory Note to Sofregaz v. NGSC (CA Paris, June 3, 2020)", in International Legal Materials (ILM), Volume 60, Issue 2, published by The American Society of International Law, March 2021;
• Speaker at the ICC YAF Conference on the Constitution of the Arbitral Tribunal, December 2020;
• Speaker at "Arbitrators' crossed opinions", webinar-conference organized by Freshfields, October 2020;
• "Investment arbitration and pandemic" in Jus Mundi, August 2020;
• "Protection in arbitration proceedings", conference organized by the Paris Bar Association and the European Court of Arbitration on "The protection of the weaker party and the impecunious party in arbitration (allowing better access to arbitral justice)", on December 18, 2019;
• "Indirect expropriation in disputes between extractive parties" in Le contentieux extractif, International Chamber of Commerce, 2015;
• Hamid Gharavi & Marie-Laure Bizeau, "L'Article 10 du nouveau Règlement d'arbitrage de la CCI: Percées et formalisation de la pratique de la Cour sur la jonction d'arbitrages", in Les Cahiers de l'Arbitrage / The Paris Journal of International Arbitration, 2012 n°1, p. 51.

Valence Borgia

EMAIL valence.borgia@medici.law

PHONE +33 1 81 70 82 50

BAR ADMISSION

• Paris Bar
• New York State Bar

LANGUAGES

• English
  
• French
• Italian

EDUCATION

• Paris Bar School — Paris, France (2006–2007)
• LLM, General Studies — New York University, New York, New York (2005)
  
• Master Diritto Privato Europeo — La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy (2004)
• D.E.A, Droit des affaires et de l’économie — Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne, Paris, France (2003)

Valence Borgia is a member of both the Paris and New York State bars.

Valence acts as Counsel and as arbitrator in both institutional and ad hoc international arbitration proceedings.  She has significant litigation expertise before French courts, specializing in matters related to arbitration, including enforcement and annulment proceedings, as well as arbitrator liability disputes.

Valence is particularly active in complex litigations involving African and Italian parties and regularly litigates matters involving the health, energy, transport, aeronautic, media, agri-food, recycling, construction and infrastructure industries.

Valence is the co-founder of the round table breakfast "Wake Up (with) Arbitration!", which is dedicated to the practical aspects of arbitration.  She is also a co-founder of the Women's Foundation and has developed a pro bono practice for matters involving gender discrimination and  gender-based violence. Valence is very involved in the defense of women's rights.

She is a former member of the Paris Bar Council and currently member of the Law and Procedure Association’s board and an Honorary President of the Union of Young Lawyers.

RECOGNITION

• For several years and again in 2023, Valence is listed among the "Future Leaders" by the Who’s Who Legal – Arbitration. She receives "widespread acclaim" for her "clarity, reactivity, pragmatism and business sense" as well as her "ability to build a sharp and strong argument".
• Legal 500 recognized her in 2018 as "tenacious", "excellent in advocacy" and "excellent litigation lawyer" and in 2019 as "a young talent to follow";
• In 2021, Valence is ranked in the category "Strong Reputation" in the annual Arbitrators ranking by Décideurs Magazine;
  
• She has also been named by Magazine Décideurs as one of the "30 rising stars" of the Business Bar in 2016.

EXPERIENCE

Experience in arbitration

• Arbitrator: President of the arbitral tribunal in ICC proceedings concerning an oil transaction for the exploitation of a concession between a Barbadian company, an EPIC and an African state - Seat: Paris;
  
• Counsel: ICC arbitration between a Canadian company and a French company relating to a wind farm acquisition contract - Seat: Paris - French law;
• Counsel: ICC arbitration between a Belgian company and an African State relating to a leasing contract - Seat: Paris - Cameroon law;
• Arbitrator: President of an arbitration tribunal in an internal, ad hoc, ex aequo et bono arbitration concerning a dispute between shareholders over the valuation of the shares of a leading French company in the distribution sector - Seat: Paris - French law;
• Counsel: ICC arbitration concerning the non-conformity of industrial equipment between Tunisian and German parties - Headquarters: Paris - Vienna Convention on the International Sale of Goods - French language ;
• Counsel: ICSID arbitration in defence of Finetis SARL and Finetis Maroc SA against the Kingdom of Morocco relating to the construction and operation of a high-speed telecommunications infrastructure in Morocco;
• Arbitrator: president of the court in CMAP arbitration concerning the performance of a construction contract between two French companies - Seat: Paris - French law;
• Counsel: CMAP arbitration between two French companies operating in the healthcare sector (performance of a licensing agreement) - Seat: Paris - French law;
• Arbitrator: sole arbitrator in ICC arbitration concerning the performance and termination of a distribution contract between a Romanian company and a Belgian company - Seat: Paris - Belgian law - English and French languages;
• Arbitrator: sole arbitrator in ICC arbitration concerning the performance of an infrastructure construction contract between an Italian company and a Gabonese company - Seat: Paris - Languages: Italian, French and English;
  
• Arbitrator: sole arbitrator (accelerated procedure) in ICC arbitration concerning the performance of a contract for the purchase of goods between a Pakistani company and a Spanish company - Seat: Paris - English language
  
• Arbitrator: co-arbitrator in ICC arbitration concerning the performance of an oil infrastructure construction contract between two Italian companies - Seat: Paris - Italian law - English language;
  
• Arbitrator: co-arbitrator in ICC arbitration relating to the performance of a contract concerning oil activities between two Ivorian companies - Seat: Geneva - Languages: French and English;
  
• Arbitrator: co-arbitrator in ICC arbitration concerning a port infrastructure contract between a French company and an African company - Seat: Paris - French language;
  
• Arbitrator : sole arbitrator in CMAP arbitration relating to the performance of an aircraft maintenance contract between a Moroccan company and a Turkish company – Seat : Paris - French language ;
  
• Arbitrator: co-arbitrator in ICC arbitration concerning a construction contract between two European companies - Seat: Paris - English language;
  
• Counsel: ICC arbitration between a French company and a Congolese company relating to a contract for the transport of petroleum tools - Seat: Paris - French law - English language;
  
• Counsel: ICC arbitration concerning the non-conformity of industrial equipment between Tunisian and Austrian parties - Seat: Paris - Vienna Convention on the International Sale of Goods - French language ;
  
• Counsel: ICC arbitration concerning the breach of an aircraft purchase agreement between British Virgin Islands and French parties - Seat: Paris - French law - English language;
  
• Counsel: ICC arbitration relating to trademark licensing agreements in the field of telecommunications between a French company and a Turkish company;
  
• Counsel: ICC arbitration relating to the termination of satellite TV broadcasting contracts between a Lebanese and a Saudi party - Seat: Paris - English language.
  
• Arbitrator: co-arbitrator in a CMAP arbitration concerning the interpretation of provisions of a contract relating to the purchase price of shares between a French company and French shareholders - Seat: Paris - French law - French language;
  
• Arbitrator: co-arbitrator in CMAP arbitration concerning requests for resolution of share transfers - Seat: Paris - French law;
  
• Counsel: CMAP arbitration concerning the exploitation of a pharmaceutical licence - Seat: Paris - French law;
  
• Counsel: CMAP arbitration concerning the termination by a real estate company of contracts for the provision of real estate services - Seat: Paris - French law;
  
• Counsel: CMAP arbitration concerning an aeronautical subcontracting contract between a French company and a Singaporean company - Seat: Paris - French law;
  
• Counsel: CMAP arbitration on the consequences of non-renewal of urban renewal and property development contracts - Seat: Paris - French law;
  
• Arbitrator: co-arbitrator in international ad hoc arbitrator concerning the non-performance of an agent's contract between an Italian company and a French company - Seat: Paris - Italian law - French and Italian languages;
  
• Counsel: ad hoc arbitration concerning the non-enforcement of shareholders' agreements relating to a joint venture in the food industry - Seat: Paris - French law;
  
• Counsel: ad hoc arbitration concerning a post-acquisition dispute (implementation of a guarantee of assets and liabilities) - Registered office: Paris - French law;

• Counsel: ad hoc arbitration concerning the implementation of an asset and liability guarantee following the acquisition of shares in companies holding quarries - Registered office: Paris - French law;

Experience in litigation

• Counsel to a leader in the wind energy sector in a dispute concerning the performance of a wind energy project development contract against a German company;

• Counsel to a leading pharmaceutical and healthcare company with commercial disputes relating to licensing, R&D and partnership agreements;

• Counsel in a dispute between French and Brazilian German companies concerning damage to industrial equipment (steel oven);
  

• Counsel to a leader in the photovoltaic sector in a dispute concerning the performance of a purchase contract for photovoltaic panels against a Tawainese company.

• Counsel to an Italian company in a dispute with a Japanese company relating to share purchase agreements in the automotive sector;

• Counsel to a leader in the wind energy sector in litigation following the acquisition of several wind farms, resulting in a €50.7 million judgment in its favour;

• Counsel to a listed French company in a dispute involving the enforcement of a first demand bank guarantee in the recycling sector;

• Representation of a company holding works of art in litigation following the acquisition of a forgery;

• Representation of a British Virgin Islands company in a dispute relating to the insurance of works of art;

• Counsel to a company specialising in network infrastructure management in a dispute with a Belgian telephone operator over the purchase of satellite capacity;

• Counsel to a French company in the agri-food sector in litigation relating to investigative measures likely to breach business secrecy;

• Counsel to a company operating in the renewable energy sector with various enforcement procedures;

• Counsel to an artistic agent in connection with various disputes with lyric artists;

• Counsel to an Italian company operating in the labels and paper sector in various commercial disputes with its customers;

• Counsel to a French company in various commercial disputes in the agri-food sector;

• Representation of an American oil company in an air transport accident;

• Representation of a leading security and remote surveillance systems company in its contractual liability and unfair competition litigation;

• Counsel from a company whose purpose is to provide staff as a temporary agency for the performance of a recruitment service contract;

• Counsel to an American company in litigation relating to the closure of a French plant;

• Enforcement of judgments and arbitral awards ;

• Actions to set aside arbitral awards, resistance to enforcement of awards ;

• Representation and assistance of arbitrators and arbitration institutions in post-arbitration liability disputes;

• Representation of French and international companies in insurance disputes following claims;

• Counsel to victims of discrimination and violence based on gender and/or sex.
   

   

Experience in mediation

• Mediator in a dispute between a French company and an Italian company relating to an infrastructure construction contract; 
• Mediator in a dispute between two French companies relating to a sale in the recycling sector; 
• Mediator / conciliator in numerous disputes between lawyers / law firms during a term on the Bar Council ("Conseil de l'Ordre"); 
• Counsel to a French company in a CMAP mediation involving a French company on a dispute relating to the development of wind farms;
• Counsel to a French company in a CMAP mediation with a French company concerning the execution of a licensing, development and marketing agreement for pharmaceutical products involving an American company;
• Counsel to a French company in the pharmaceutical sector in a CMAP mediation involving a French company regarding the termination of a collaboration and licensing agreement.

EXPERIENCES

• Since 2020  — Founding Partner, Medici (Paris)
• 2009-2020 — Counsel, K&L Gates (Paris)
  
• 2007-2009 — Associate, Eversheds LLP (Paris)
  

EDUCTION

• 2006 - 2007 — Paris Bar School, Paris, France
• 2004 - 2005 — L.L.M in General Studies — New York University 
• 2003 - 2004 — Master in Diritto Privato Europeo - Prof. Guido Alpa  — Università La Sapienza Rome
• 2002 - 2003 — DEA Droit des affaires et de l'économie — Université Paris I
  

PROFESSIONAL COMMITMENTS

• Co-Director of Paris Place of Law Association ("Paris Place de Droit");
  
• Member of the Paris Bar Council (2018-2020);
• Member of the Board of Law and Procedure Association ("Droit et procédure");
• Founding Member of the round-tables dedicated to arbitration “Wake up (with) Arbitration!”;
• President ad honorem of the Young Lawyer Association (2014-2015);
• Founding Member of the Women Foundation ("Fondation des Femmes");
• Member of the Board of the Woman Foundation ("Fondation des Femmes");
• Member of the Board of Equality Laboratory think tank ("Laboratoire de l'Égalité") from 2013 to 2022.
  

PUBLICATION

• "Wind farms litigation : Innovent ordered to pay EUR 50.7 million to Boralex", in Le Monde du Droit, 20 May 2021 (https://www.lemondedudroit.fr/deals/75692-contentieux-eolien-innovent-condamnee-a-payer-50-7-millions-euros-boralex.html?jjj=1621508375428);
• “Third-Party Conciliation: France reacts to Covid-19 with a New Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism” in the Arbitration Journal No.9 of the Russian Arbitration Association, January 2021;
• Interview with Valencia Borgia, "A woman lawyer dedicated to professional equality", in Journal Spécial des Sociétés, May 2020;
• "3 questions to Valence Borgia", in La Semaine du Praticien, La Semaine Juridique, 2020;
• "Future management practices in law firms: towards mutation?" in Revue pratique de la prospective et de l'innovation, LexisNexis Jurisclasseur, October 2016.

Caroline Duclercq

EMAIL caroline.duclercq@medici.law

PHONE +33 1 81 70 82 50

ADMISSION

• Paris Bar

LANGUAGES 

• English
  
• French

EDUCATION

• Mediation Training — CMAP (2018)
• Montpellier Bar School — Montpellier, France (2001)
  
• Postgraduate Degree (DESS) in International Business Law — University of Montpellier (2000)

Caroline Duclercq is a partner at Medici. Admitted to the Paris Bar in 2002, she has around 20 years of experience in domestic and international arbitration.

She advises and represents French and foreign clients and acts as Counsel in numerous commercial arbitration proceedings, either ad hoc or governed by the rules of the largest arbitration institutions (ICC, SCC, AFA, CMAP, LCIA, Stockholm, Danish Institute, KCAB, SIAC, Cepani, CCAT, etc.). Her experience covers proceedings governed by civil law and common law. She has a significant experience of complex construction and engineering arbitration proceedings (in particular under FIDIC Rules) and has also been involved in numerous arbitrations relating to distribution, hotels and leisure, energy (oil and gas), industrial and intellectual property, joint venture and shareholder agreements, as well as sales and purchases, telecommunication and transportation.

Caroline also regularly acts as an arbitrator in domestic and international commercial arbitration proceedings.

In addition, she has developed a strong practice in peri-arbitral litigation and more particularly in proceedings for the annulment and enforcement of awards before French courts.

She also regularly acts as contract manager to prevent and organise potential disputes in the sector of construction and engineering.

Since 2014, Caroline is Director of the on-line University Diploma (MOOC) on domestic and international arbitration with the University of Montpellier (France). She is also lecturer in arbitration at the University of Versailles St-Quentin, Montpellier and Toulouse (France).

She is the co-founder of the round-tables dedicated to arbitration “Wake up (with) Arbitration!” since 2012 and regularly speaks at conferences relating to arbitration, construction and gender equality.
 
She is a Board Member of the Association Française d'Arbitrage (AFA) and Paris MENA Legal Club and an active member of the French Commission of ICC.

RECOGNITION

• She is listed in the "Leader" category as a "Recommended practitioner" in Who's Who Legal;
  
• Since 2019, she is recognised in the list of "Best lawyers" in "Arbitration and Mediation" and "International Arbitration" categories of Les Echos magazine;
• In 2021, Caroline is ranked in the Arbitrators list of the Magazine Décideurs in the "Strong reputation" category;
• She is listed in the Legal 500 "Private Practice Powerlist 2023 Arbitration | France" since 2023.

EXPERIENCE

Experience as Counsel in commercial arbitration 

• Counsel for a third-party funder who has been joined to an ICC case between Cameroonian, French, Lebanese and Swiss companies in relation to a share purchase agreement — OHADA law — French language;
• Counsel for the Claimant in an ICC case between a Lebanese company and a company from the UAE in relation to the construction of a pipeline — UAE law — English language;
  
• Counsel for the Claimant in an ICC case between French companies in relation to an advisory agreement in the context of the restructuring of a group — French law — English language;
  
• Counsel for the Claimant in an ICC case between a French company and a Dutch company in relation to the performance of exclusive patent licences — French law — English language;
  
• Counsel for the Respondent in an ICC case between an English company and a Moroccan company in relation to loan and financing contracts in the context of the Moroccan Exchange Office Regulation — French law — English language;
  
• Counsel for the Claimant in an ICC case between an American group and a Japanese company in relation to a joint venture in the context of a tire cartel — New York law — English language;
  
• Counsel for the Respondent in an ICC case between a French company and a Mauritian group arising out of a hostelry management contract for three new-built hotels — French law — French language;
  
• Counsel for the Claimant in an ICC case between an Indian company and a German group in connection with distribution and agency contracts — German law — English language;
  
• Counsel for the Respondent in an ICC case between a Moroccan company and a Swiss company regarding hotel operations — French law — French language;
  
• Counsel for the Claimant in an ICC case between a Belgian company and a Portuguese company regarding a distribution agreement and assignment of trademarks — Belgian law — French language;
  
• Counsel for the Claimant in a FNTP (Fédération Nationale des Travaux Publics) case between two French companies in relation to a consortium in the construction industry — French law — French language.

Experience in proceedings related to arbitration

• Application for legal classification of domestic/international arbitration before annulment proceedings for the purpose of opposing seizures proceedings before the First President of the Paris Court of Appeal;

• Procedural incident - Application for de-listing the action of annulment for non-execution of an award;

• Protective seizures and assignments in the context of the enforcement of two arbitral awards;

• Counsel to a third-party funder in proceedings for annulment of a partial award on jurisdiction (ratione personae) dismissing the junction of the third-party funder as co-claimant;
• Counsel to a French company in proceedings for annulment (partial annulment) of an award based on violation of due process and ultra petita award;
  
• Counsel to a Swiss company in proceedings for annulment of a final award based on violation of public policy regarding collective proceedings;
• Counsel to a French company against two other French companies in proceedings for annulment of an ICC award based on violation of due process and equality between the parties;
  
• Counsel to a French company against another French company in proceedings for annulment an ICC award based on the violation of due process and public policy;
  
• Counsel to a Moroccan company against an English company in proceedings for annulment of an ICC award based on violation of public policy;
  

• Counsel to an American company for the enforcement of an award issued against a French and Israeli company: exequatur, seizures, conciliation as part of the Covid statutory provisions and negociations of a settlement agreement;

• Counsel to a Swiss company for the enforcement of two awards issued against Swiss, Cameroonian and Lebanese companies: exequatur, banking seizures and seizure of property, debts, trademarks, search for assets;

• Counsel to a French company for the enforcement in Mauritius of an ICC award in relation to a hostelry management contract for three new-built hotels;
  
• Counsel to a Moroccan company against a German company in proceedings for annulment of a ICC award based on lack of independence and impartiality;
  
• Counsel to a Spanish company against a Moroccan company in the context of pre-arbitration proceeedings in the construction industry.

Experience as arbitrator

• Sole arbitrator in an ICC case between a French company and a Dutch company against an Italian company relating to a wind farm construction project — French law — English language;
• Sole arbitrator in a CMAP case between a Saudi company and two UAE companies relating to an agency contract — French law — English language;
  
• Sole arbitrator in an ICC case dealing with a post-acquisition dispute between a French company and a German company — French law — French language;
• Co-arbitrator in an ICC case opposing a Tunisian company to Turkish and Danish companies related to construction contracts — French Law —  English Language;
• Chairman in an ICC case between two UAE companies relating to a contract for the construction of an hospital center — UAE law —  English language;
• Chairman in a CMAP case between two French companies relating to an exclusive game license agreement — French law — French language;
• Chairman in an ICC case between an Egyptian company and a Chinese company relating to a construction subcontract — Egyptian law — English language;
• Chairman in an ICC case between a French company and an Italian company relating to a licensing agreement — French law — English language;
• Emergency arbitrator in an ICC case between an Italian company and an Egyptian entity relating to the call of guarantees in a construction contract — Egyptian law — French language;
• Emergency arbitrator in an ICC case between a Danish and Russian company related to an hotel franchise contract — English law — English language;
• Sole arbitrator in an ICC case between a French and UAE company related to the performance and the termination of license, support and supply contracts — French law — English language;
• Sole arbitrator in a CMAP case between seven French companies relating to a shareholder agreement — French law — French language;
  
• Sole arbitrator in an ICC Case between two French companies relating to a representation contract — French law — French language;
  
• Sole arbitrator in an ICC case between an African State and a private company in the British Virgin Islands arising out of the enforcement of an arbitral award and a subsequent settlement agreement that is argued to have been concluded in fraud — Swiss law — English language;
  
• Sole arbitrator in a CMAP case between two French companies relating to a consultancy agreement — French law — French language;
  
• Sole arbitrator in an ICC case between two Spanish companies relating to a shareholder agreement relating to railways — French law — English language;
  
• Sole arbitrator in an ICC case between a US company and a Senegalese banking corporation relating to the construction of oxygen plants for hospitals — French law — French language;
• Sole arbitrator in an ICC case between an Egyptian entity, a Dutch company and a UAE company relating to a service agreement — French law — English language;
  
• Co-arbitrator in a Danish Institute case between a Danish company and a Moroccan company regarding a franchise agreement — Danish law — English language;
  
• Co-arbitrator in an AFA (Association Française d'Arbitrage) case between an American group and a French company relating to the performance of an acquisition contract — French law — French language;
  
• Co-arbitrator in a CCAT case between a State-owned company and a Canadian company regarding a services contract — French law — French language.

Experience as Contract Manager

• Follow-up of a contract for the construction of a pharmaceutical plant in Brittany for the Employer (€ 50M);

• Follow-up of a contract for the construction of a factory in Normandy for the Project Manager (€ 100M);

• Follow-up of a contract for the construction of two viaducts in Morocco for a Contractor;

• Follow-up of two port rehabilitation contracts in Africa for a Contractor — FIDIC Red 1999;

• Follow-up of a contract for the construction of two hotels in Paris for a Contractor — FIDIC Yellow 1999.
  

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Since 2020 — Founding Partner, Medici (Paris)
• 2012-2020 — Partner, Altana (Paris)
• 2010-2012 — Counsel, Lazareff Le Bars (Paris)
• 2009-2010 — Associate, Derains Gharavi & Lazareff (Paris)
• 2002 -2008 — Associate, Lazareff law firm (Paris)

EDUCATION

• 2018 — Mediation training  — CMAP
  
• 2001 — Bar School Certificate (France) - Memoranda: “Arbitration and Groups of Contracts” and “Pre-franchising Contracts”
• 2000 —  Postgraduate Degree (DESS) International Business Law - University of Montpellier (France)
• Certificate of International Business and Tax Law - HSD Ernst & Young International Arbitration Moot in Vienna (Austria)
• 1997 — Master of Commercial and International Business Law - University of Montpellier (France)

MANDATES/TEACHING

• October 2020 — Lectrurer on "Drafting procedural documents in the context of an arbitration" at the Master II in Arbitration and International Trade Law, University of Paris Saclay;
• 2007-onwards — Lecturer at the Master II in Arbitration and International Trade Law, University of Paris Saclay (former University of Versailles);
• 2011-onwards — Lecturer at the Master II in International Business Law, University of Montpellier;
• 2014-onwards — Lecturer at the Master II in International Business Law, University of Toulouse;
  
• April 2020 — Lecturer at EIMA (International School of Alternative Dispute Resolution), training course on the different phases of an arbitration procedure;
• 2015-onwards — Director of the online degree (MOOC) on Domestic and International Arbitration, University of Montpellier (duarbitrage.org);
  
• 2012-2013 — Lecturer at the Paris Bar School on “The Judge and the Arbitrator”;
• 2012-onwards — Founding Member of the round-tables dedicated to arbitration “Wake up (with) Arbitration!”;
  
• Member of the French Commission on International Arbitration of the ICC;
  
• Board Member of the Association Française de l’Arbitrage (AFA) and Paris MENA Legal Club;
  
• Arbitrator on the lists of ICC, AFA, CMAP and CAMM (arbitration institution from Madagascar) and CRCICA (Cairo, Egypt);
  
• Member of ArbitralWomen.

RECENT TALKS

• December 2022: Intervention during the Maghreb Days organised by ICC arbitration and Ifriqya A, on third-party funding in arbitration - Tunis (Tunisie)

• July 2022: Intervention during the colloquium organized around arbitration and debt enforcement in OHADA law, on the compensation of claims recognized by the arbitrator and the judicial authority - Lomé (Togo)

• April 2022: Intervention on notarial arbitration, organized by the Chamber of Notaries of Paris

• February 2022: Training on the arbitration clause in OHADA law - Guinea
• December 2021: 35th International Conference of Bars, on "Online arbitration, a model of civil justice?" - Libreville, Gabon
• June 2021:  "Arbitration and securities in OHADA law" conference organized by Achille Nganza, lecture on "The right of retention of the arbitral award" - Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire;
  
• April 2021:  "Being a woman in an arbitrator world, by Caroline Duclercq", Paris Baby Arbitration Podcast;
• March-April 2021: "Cross examination of witnesses - When Commen Law interferes with civil law", theorical and practical training, by the AFA (Association Française d'Arbitrage);
• January 2021: "10th anniversary of the French Arbitration Law Reform", conference organized by Le Club des Juristes;
• April 2020: "Third-party funding at the time of COVID-19" webinar organised by the Chinese Swiss Law Association;
  
• February 2020: "Women in arbitration" for the MACI lecture - Paris;
  
• December 2019: MENA Conference on the "Duration of an arbitration proceedings in the construction industry" - Dubai, UAE;
  
• October 2019: Conference CNB on "How to manage the duration of an arbitral proceedings" – Paris, France;
  
• June 2019: ICC Conference for the Maghreb International Arbitration on expedited procedure – Tunis, Tunisia;
  
• March 2019: 7th ICC MENA Conference on "Diversity in International Construction Arbitration from DABs to Tribunals" - Abu Dhabi, UAE;
  
• February 2019: CFA colloquium on international public policy in France, Spain and England – Madrid, Spain;
  
• January 2019: Option Finance Colloquium "Ethic and arbitration" - Paris, France;
  
• January 2019: “Wake up (with) Arbitration!” debate relating to the international chambers of the Paris Court of Appeal - Paris, France;
  
• January 2019: AFA (Association Française d'Arbitrage) training on “Cross-examination of witnesses: when common law visits civil law practice” - Paris, France;
  
• 12 December 2018: Paris Bar : “Arbitration and Mediation in the OHADA zone”;
  
• 21 September 2018: “Oral evidence in arbitration” by the International Campus - Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire ;
  
• 12 April 2018: GAR Live Paris on “Construction Disputes: Delay experts – are their days numbered?”;
  
• 29 January 2018: “Cross-examination of witnesses: when common law visits civil law practice” for the French Arbitration Association - Paris, France;
  
• 14 December 2017: "Enforcement of awards in Morocco and Africa" during the annual Symposium organized by Lexis Nexis on “Investments in Africa and Legal Certainty- the 30 main strategic issues” - Casablanca, Maroc;
  
• 6 December 2017: “Overcoming procedural conflicts in international arbitration” during the conference “Navigating through Common Law and Civil Law waters in International Arbitration: Young Perspectives from Europe and the Americas” organized by CIArb YMG - Paris, France;
  
• 1st December 2017: “The pros of choosing French law arbitration” during the international conference “Arbitration, a development channel for economic operators in the African – Indian Ocean zone” - La Réunion, France.
  

PUBLICATIONS

• "The compensation of claims recognized by the arbitrator and the judicial authority" - Arbitration and debt enforcement in OHADA law (to be published) - July 2022

• "Les mécanismes pratiques à même de protéger les parties faibles" (Practical mechanisms to protect vulnerable parties) - Revue de l'Arbitrage, May 2022

• "L’arbitrage en ligne : modèle pour la justice civile ? (Online arbitration: a model for civil justice?) - Published in " La justice menacée par la Covid-19: les remèdes " (Justice threatened by Covid-19: the remedies), January 2022

• " Le droit de rétention de la sentence par les arbitres en cas de non paiement de leurs honoraires " (The right of arbitrators to withhold the award in case of non-payment of their fees) - published in " Arbitrage et sûretés " (Arbitration and guarantees), June 2021

• "When JCJA clarifies the issue of arbitrability of disputes involving the application of public policy provisions" - Medici Blog, March 2021
• "Arbitrator’s power to order daily rate of damages and depart from parties' claims" - Medici Blog, February 2021;
• Report of the Conference on the 10th anniversary of the reform of French arbitration law, February 2021;
• "UNCITRAL Arbitration rules: the Pionner Arbitration framework", in the ADR Cell, New Law College, University of Pune (India), November 2020;
  
• Caroline Duclercq and Thais Barthelémy "Last update on COVID-19: An event of Force Majeure?" - Medici Blog, July 2020;
• "Duration of arbitration vs. duration of litigation: refelexions" in Les Cahiers de l'Arbitrage, 2019-4, pp. 667 to 677, July 2020;
  
• "Report on Third-Party Funding in Arbitration Global Forum" in the Journal of Swiss Chinese Law review, further to the 4th edition of the SCLA Global Forum, June 2020;
  
• "Women in arbitration", May 2020;
  
• "Professor in arbitration, a professional arbitrator?", May 2020;
• Interview for the LJA about the publication of awards, June 2019; 
• “Publication of the award: a secret life is a happy life?” - Report Roundtable for “Wake Up (with) Arbitration!”, March 2019;
• “The Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre amends its arbitration rules” - Blog Altana law firm, December 2018;
• “Société Saad Budzair Automotive Co v. Société Audi Volkswagen Middle East FZE LLC”, Paris Court of Appeal 27/03/18 – Revista Brasileira de Arbitragem;
• “When French Judges confirm the expansion of their control over arbitral awards” - YAR (Young Arbitration Review), November 2018;
• "Construction Arbitration : the updated ICC Report” - Les Echanges internationaux, September 2018;
• “The choice of French arbitration law”, chapter of the book “Arbitration and investment in Africa and Indian Ocean Zone” - Lexis Nexis, September 2018;
• “London’s burning, Paris s’éveille?” - Report Roundtable “Wake Up (with) Arbitration!”, June 2018;
• “Obligation of disclosure and notorious fact: when the Court of Appeal recalls the extent of this obligation” - Blog Altana law firm, April 2018;
• “Slipery slope for intra-EU investment arbitration”  - Blog Altana law firm,  March 2018;
• "When civil law countries recognize punitive damages"  - Blog Altana law firm, January 2018;
• "Enforcement of Arbitral Awards: Creditors, don’t wait too long!" - Blog Altana law firm, January 2018;
• "English Court Rules on the Extent and Limits of the Role of the Secretary of the Arbitral Tribunal", Decision of 9 February 2017 of the Commercial Court of the High Court of Justice (Queen’s Bench Division, Case No. CL–2016–61) - Revista de Arbitraje Comercial y de Inversiones , November 2017;
• "Arbitrator and Defaulting Party: All alone like in 'the Martian'" - Blog "Wake up (with) Arbitration!", August 2017;
• 'Third-Party Funding: new recognitions in domestic legislations and statuts" - Blog Altana law firm, August 2017;
• "Arbitrage et Partie Faible"  - Clunet, March 2017;
• "New trends in French Arbitration Law: a narrower control of the compatibility of international arbitration awards with international policy?" - The American Lawyer, October 2016.

ASSOCIATES

Alexia Descombes

EMAIL  — alexia.descombes@medici.law

PHONE  — +33 1 81 70 82 50

ADMISSION— Paris Bar

LANGUAGES — English | French | Spanish

EDUCATION

• Paris Bar School (EFB) (2016)
• LLM, University of Cambridge (2015)
• Masters, Business Law, University of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne (2014)
• Masters, Economic Law, Sciences Po Paris (2013)
  

Alexia specialises in international arbitration and commercial litigation.

Before joining the firm, Alexia practiced international arbitration and peri-arbitral litigation for six years in an arbitration specialist boutique and a leading international law firm in Paris.

Her areas of practice include commercial disputes and investment arbitration. She has been involved in arbitrations under the rules of various institutions (ICC, ICSID, UNCITRAL...) or ad hoc, relating to a broad range of industries including energy, construction, and pharmaceuticals.

Alexia holds an LLM from the University of Cambridge, a Master in Business law from the Sorbonne, and a Master in Economic Law from Sciences Po. She also studied at Northwestern Law in Chicago and at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

Alexia is fluent in both French and English.

Valérie Kasparian

EMAIL  — valerie.kasparian@medici.law

PHONE  — +33 1 81 70 82 50

ADMISSION— Paris and Beirut Bars

LANGUAGES — English | French | Arabic

EDUCATION

• Paris Bar School (EFB) (2020)
• Master 2, International Private Law and International Commercial Law, University of Paris II Panthéon-Assas
• Bachelor of laws, Saint-Joseph University of Beirut
  

Valérie specialises primarily on peri-arbitral litigation, commercial litigation and commercial arbitration.

Prior to joining Medici, Valérie worked in several international arbitration firms in Paris and practiced in the field of commercial arbitration and litigation. Valérie assisted venture capital funds and companies in the technology, science and media sectors in resolving shareholder disputes, disputes between shareholders and directors, as well as in resolving their day-to-day business disputes (breach of contract, unfair competition, termination of commercial relations, product suspensions and merchant account suspensions on online marketplaces).

Valérie holds a master’s degree in International Private Law and International Commercial Law from the University of Paris II Panthéon-Assas and a bachelor's degree in Private Law from the Saint-Joseph University of Beirut.

Valérie is fluent in French, English and Arabic.

Eliza Seran

EMAIL  — eliza.seran@medici.law

PHONE  — +33 1 81 70 82 50

ADMISSION— Paris Bar

LANGUAGES — English | French | Spanish |  Romanian

EDUCATION

• Paris Bar School (EFB) (2018)
• Arbitration Academy (2018)
• Master 2, International Business and Tax Law, University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (2015)
• Master 1, International and European Business Law, University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (2014)
• Law degree, University of Bucarest (2014)
• Law degree, University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (2013)
• Law degree, exchange programme, Aix-Marseille University (2013)
  

Eliza specialises primarily in international arbitration and commercial litigation.

Prior to joining Medici, Eliza practiced in the fields of international arbitration and infrastructure projects for five years in a leading international law firm in Paris. She also previously worked for multinational companies operating in the insurance and pharmaceutical industries.

Eliza has developed a deep legal expertise in both international commercial and investment arbitration. She has been involved in complex international matters across different jurisdictions and in various industries, including the construction, insurance and telecom sectors. She has assisted multiple African States, public entities and companies in arbitration proceedings and in challenging arbitral awards. Additionally, she has an extensive expertise in drafting and negotiating contracts, with a particular focus on public-private partnerships (PPP).

Eliza holds a Master in International Business and Tax Law from the Sorbonne and law degrees from the Sorbonne and the University of Bucharest. She has also studied at the Aix-Marseille University.

Eliza is fluent in English, French, Spanish and Romanian.

Aurélien Zuber

EMAIL  — aurelien.zuber@medici.law

PHONE  — +33 1 81 70 82 50

ADMISSION— Paris and New York Bars

LANGUAGES — English | French | Spanish

EDUCATION

• Master of Laws, Litigation, Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution, University of Paris II - Pantheon Assas (2015)
• LL.M., Duke University School of Law (2014)
• Master of Laws, French and Anglo-American Business Law, University of Paris X - Paris Ouest Nanterre La Defense (2014)

Aurélien specialises primarily in international arbitration, commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution methods.

Before joining Medici, Aurélien acted as Counsel at the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) for five years where he led the francophone and common law case management teams successively. In this capacity, he has supervised and administered several hundred ICC arbitrations involving disputes between private companies, states and/or individuals, in matters relating to energy, construction, investment treaties and other general commercial issues, as well as performed the scrutiny of more than a hundred arbitration awards. Beforehand, Aurélien practiced international arbitration in several law firms in Paris specialized in the field.

His areas of practice include commercial and investment disputes with a particular focus on matters involving states and African parties. He has been involved in arbitrations relating to a broad range of industries under the rules of various institutions.

Aurélien holds an LL.M. from Duke University School of Law, a Master of Laws in Litigation, Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution from University of Paris II - Pantheon Assas and a Master of Laws in French and Anglo-American Business Law from University of Paris X - Paris Ouest Nanterre La Defense. He has regularly intervened as a speaker in conferences and as a lecturer in several university programs.

Aurélien is fluent in both French and English.

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