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Withers has announced that Giacomo Rojas Elgueta has joined the firm as partner and co-head of its global International Arbitration Group, the firm said. He joins Withers’ Milan office from Chiomenti, where he was head of the international arbitration practice, having previously run his own independent practice, according to the firm.
According to Withers, Rojas Elgueta joins with associate Benedetta Mauro and will co-head the practice alongside Hussein Haeri KC and Floriane Lavaud. The firm said he advises Italian and international clients in complex commercial and investment arbitration proceedings seated in numerous jurisdictions and under a wide variety of applicable laws and institutional rules, including the ICC, Milan Chamber of Arbitration, LCIA and Swiss Arbitration Centre.
Key points
- Giacomo Rojas Elgueta has joined Withers as partner and co-head of the firm’s global International Arbitration Group, the firm said.
- He moves to Withers’ Milan office from Chiomenti, where he headed the international arbitration practice.
- He joins with associate Benedetta Mauro, according to Withers.
- He is admitted to practice in Italy and New York State and is President of the ICC Italia Commission on Arbitration and ADR, the firm said.
- Withers said his appointment follows the earlier move of Camilla Gambarini from the firm’s London office to Milan.
Practice and roles
According to Withers, Rojas Elgueta coordinates cross-border court proceedings and has worked for clients in sectors including construction, shipbuilding, shipping, oil and gas, renewables, digital media, corporate and post-M&A disputes. The firm said he frequently acts as an arbitrator in ad hoc and administered arbitrations and as an expert witness on Italian law, and has been appointed as an expert by the Italian Republic in investment arbitration proceedings under the ICSID and SCC Rules and by multinational companies in proceedings before courts in the United States and England and Wales.
Withers said he is a member of the ICSID Panel of Conciliators designated by the Italian government, a member of the Collegio di Garanzia of the Italian National Olympic Committee, a member of the SIAC Panel of Arbitrators and a member of the ICC Global Commission on Arbitration and ADR. He is also a Full Professor of Private Comparative Law and International Arbitration at Roma Tre University School of Law and Co-Director of the Roma Tre-UNIDROIT Centre for Transnational Commercial Law and International Arbitration, according to the firm.
Reaction
Peter Wood, CEO of Withers’ Dispute Resolution division, said: “We’re very excited to be adding Giacomo and his highly rated arbitration practice to our global and Italian team. His appointment as co-head of our International Arbitration Group, alongside Hussein Haeri KC and Floriane Lavaud, further strengthens a genuinely global practice, bringing together significant experience across commercial and investment arbitration, civil and common law jurisdictions and a wide range of industry sectors.”
Rojas Elgueta said: “I am delighted to be joining Withers and to have the opportunity to co-lead, alongside Hussein and Floriane, the firm’s global International Arbitration practice, which has such a strong reputation for its excellence and rigour. Moving my practice to an international firm like Withers is an important step, in particular because Italian clients increasingly want trusted advisers who are close to their business, but can also lead complex matters across jurisdictions and legal systems. Withers offers exactly that combination of proximity and international reach.”
Roberta Crivellaro, managing partner of Withers’ Italian practice, said: “Giacomo’s appointment to our team is a significant enhancement of our international arbitration capabilities in Italy, which were also boosted earlier this year by Camilla Gambarini’s move from our London office to Milan. A strong dispute resolution capability has always been an important part of our services in Italy, and the introduction of Giacomo’s experience in a wide range of arbitration matters will help us to meet the growing client demand for sophisticated arbitration advice.”