Kilpatrick, Townsend & Stockton, LLP

Houston, Texas

Brian Gaudet is a Partner in Kilpatrick, Townsend & Stockton, LLP’s award-winning construction and infrastructure group.  Mr. Gaudet is board certified in construction law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.  Mr. Gaudet’s practice encompass all aspects of the project and construction cycle from contract document preparation and review to litigation and dispute resolution of related claims.

Energy Vault, Inc.

Westlake Village, California, USA

Select Water Solutions

Houston, Texas, USA

Samantha-Anne (Horwitch) Nadolny is Samantha-Anne is an accomplished legal professional with a demonstrated history across multiple industries, specializing in construction, oil & gas, natural resources, and energy. Currently, Samabtha-Anne is serving as Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Select Water Solutions, LLC, (NYSE: WTTR) (formerly Select Energy Services, LLC.) In this position, Samantha-Anne oversees all aspects of the company’s legal affairs, including corporate governance, transaction negotiation and drafting, labor and employment law, regulatory compliance, litigation management, M&A, real estate, intellectual property, licensing, corporate governance, and legal department operations.

Prior to joining Select Energy, Samantha-Anne served as General Counsel, Chief Compliance and Human Resources Officer, and Assistant Corporate Secretary for Citelum US, an EDF Groupe company and Corporate Counsel for Sterling Infrastructure Group (NASDAQ: STRL) (formerly Sterling Construction Company, Inc.)

Samantha-Anne holds a Bachelor of Science in History and Political Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey, and a Juris Doctorate from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama.

Airgas, Inc

Radnor, Pennsylvania, USA

Susan Miller is Associate General Counsel of Airgas, Inc., an Air Liquide company, a leading U.S. supplier of industrial gases, safety products and process chemicals.  Susan leads the Specialty Business and Supply Chain team, and her responsibilities include commercial contracts for the merchant and process gases business units, supply chain, procurement, hard goods, real estate acquisitions, divestitures, and leasing, environmental matters, and mergers and acquisitions.  Prior to joining Airgas, Susan served as Managing Counsel at McDonald’s Corporation, where she led legal support for the East Division and it Regions; a geography comprising the eastern third of the United States and approximately 5,000 locations.  Susan was previously a Partner at Wiggin and Dana LLP and an Associate and Shareholder at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC. Susan received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Franklin & Marshall College and her Juris Doctor degree from New England Law.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP

London, United Kingdom

Mark Grasso is a Partner in Quinn Emanuel’s London office advising on disputes arising out of large engineering and construction and energy projects around the world.  He has acted for owners/employers, contractors, designers and insurers on a range of high-profile projects, including rail, social infrastructure, oil and gas, petrochemicals and mining.  He has conducted litigation in the courts in England and Wales and Australia and arbitrations under all of the major international arbitration rules and before tribunals consisting of arbitrators from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, France, Spain and Brazil.

Mr. Grasso has particular expertise in disputes involving construction and oil and gas projects in the Middle East.  He has a detailed knowledge of the laws and legal systems of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Iraq, and has spent substantial time in both Doha and Dubai.

Bechtel Energy

Houston, Texas, USA

Mr. Diggs is Senior Counsel and Manager of Claims for Bechtel Energy, Inc., and is responsible for the prosecution, defense and settlement of construction claims worldwide.  Mr. Diggs has over 30 years of experience in construction contracts negotiations and claims litigation.  Mr. Diggs manages the prosecution and defense of construction claims in various domestic and international forums.  He has also drafted and negotiated large construction and procurement contracts for various types of industrial and commercial projects, including the design and construction of oil and gas refineries, LNG facilities and commercial and industrial buildings.  Mr. Diggs has also written various articles and made numerous presentations on construction claims issues.  Prior to joining Bechtel, Mr. Diggs was a partner in the law firm of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates and Ellis (K&L Gates) where he concentrated his practice in the area of complex construction litigation and contract negotiations.  In addition, Mr. Diggs is a registered neutral arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association and the International Centre for Dispute Resolutions.  He is also a former appointed hearing officer for the Allegheny County Minority, Women and Disadvantage Business Enterprise (M/W/DBE) Certification Appeal Board – a quasi-judicial body that hears M/W/DBE certification appeals.  Mr. Diggs is also a member of various professional organizations, including the American Bar Association (ABA), Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA), and the Texas Bar.

Jones Day

Dallas, Texas, USA

Roy Powell is a Partner at the International Law Firm Jones Day. He specializes in complex commercial litigation primarily in the construction, energy and infrastructure industries. He is the Co-Chair of Jones Day’s Global Construction Practice. He has practiced law in multiple jurisdictions in the US and Internationally for over 40 years and has been with Jones Day for 34 years, first in its Pittsburgh Office and for the last 7 years in the Dallas Office. Roy has represented clients in counseling and as lead trial counsel in all manner of disputes including jury and non-jury trials in state and federal courts and domestic and international litigation matters and arbitrations. Roy is recognized by multiple industry ranking groups including Chambers, Best lawyers in America, Law 360, The Legal 500, The London Legal Business Awards and others and Jones Day’s Construction Practice has been recognized multiple times as the Construction Practice of the Year by Chambers, Law 360 in the US and internationally.

Diales

New York, New York, USA

Simon is a chartered quantity surveyor who is a quantum and delay expert, with over 25 years of professional experience working internationally in the construction and engineering industry.

Simon has extensive experience in the preparation of claims and expert evidence related to delay, disruption, productivity, and associated damages, he has also provided advice on these issues for live projects. He has provided these services on projects including water treatment, power generation, residential and commercial construction, government projects, stadiums, rail projects, bridges, and process facilities amongst other construction/engineering projects. In addition, Simon has prepared commercial risk analysis for clients on various forms of contract.

Simon has prepared expert submissions for both domestic and international dispute forums. He has also presented at mediations on behalf of clients and assisted clients in a number of settlement negotiations. He has also prepared and reviewed change orders and performed delay analysis, cost estimates and productivity analysis. Additionally, Simon has provided advice to consultants and financiers on troubled construction and engineering projects, including bankruptcy matters, along with surety and insurance claims.

Chevron

Houston, Texas, USA

Tracy currently serves as Senior Counsel supporting Major Capital Projects across Chevron. Her practice includes providing legal services for upstream, downstream and new energy projects. She serves as project advisor and counsel regarding contract terms, risk management and claims. Tracy’s expertise includes negotiating and supporting the execution of projects from conceptual engineering through project commissioning. Before joining Chevron, she was Senior Counsel for a leading construction law boutique, handling complex contract negotiations and dispute resolution for a variety of construction clients. Tracy also previously served as Counsel in the Energy, Chemical and Power business unit for a major EPC firm.

Sempra Energy

San Diego, California, USA

Chris is Associate General Counsel at Sempra Energy, where he oversees the parent company’s commercial law group and supports large construction projects across the Sempra family of companies. Chris’s expertise is in drafting, negotiating, and administering large scale engineering, procurement, and construction contracts in the energy sector, including combined cycle natural gas fired power projects, solar and wind energy facilities, and liquefied natural gas receipt and export terminals. Chris supports these projects from inception through commercial operations, including claim and litigation support.  Before joining Sempra, he was an associate at Latham & Watkins specializing in construction and project finance.

King & Spalding LLP

San Francisco, California, USA

David Wallach is a partner at King & Spalding specializing in arbitration and litigation of high-value, complex construction disputes.  He has worked in a broad array of industries, including oil and gas, information technology, municipal construction, and pharmaceuticals.  He has represented clients in disputes arising from projects in Asia, Africa, South and Central America, North America, and the Middle East.  David has published extensively on topics relating to international law and international arbitration.

Breakwater Forensics LLC

Austin, Texas, USA

Neil Miltonberger is co-founder of Breakwater Forensics LLC. He specializes in the forensic investigation of financial, economic damages, project scheduling, productivity, construction management, contract administration, and other issues, primarily related to the construction, oil & gas, utility, and government contract industries. He assists owners, government agencies, contractors, architects/engineers, sureties, insurance companies, and their counsel with the investigation and resolution of complex business disputes. He has authored expert opinions related to over 70 litigations/arbitrations, has testified in trial and arbitration, and has presented his opinions at numerous mediation proceedings.

Hanson Bridgett LLP

Los Angeles, California, USA

Heather is an attorney at Hanson Bridgett LLP in the firm’s construction section. Prior to relocating to Los Angeles in 2019, she practiced in the Construction and Infrastructure Group at a Canadian law firm for 6 years. Heather is accustomed to dealing with contentious and complex construction matters, and has experience representing and advising clients with respect to mechanic’s liens, delay claims, and professional negligence both in court proceedings and through the use of alternative dispute resolution methods. She represents owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers and construction sureties.

Kiewit Canada Inc.

Oakville, Ontario, Canada

Barbara Capes is Assistant General Counsel at Kiewit. Barbara is primary counsel and strategic advisor for Kiewit’s Eastern Canada District and Ganotec Inc.’s operations across North America. In Eastern Canada, Kiewit continues to build some of the most complex infrastructure and power projects under a diverse portfolio of contract models including CMGC, EPC, DBFOM, P3, IPD, and Alliance. Barbara’s work includes addressing the daily operational needs of her districts and projects, including contract negotiation and administration, risk management, and dispute resolution. Barbara is a bilingual practitioner (French and English) and holds both a J.D. and an LL.L. from the University of Ottawa.  Barbara is also active in the club basketball community in Ontario and is passionate about coaching young female ballers to defy expectations.

Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Nora Kharouba is a partner with the law firm of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP (Toronto) with a practise dedicated to construction and infrastructure law. Nora assists with all aspects of the construction process such as reviewing and negotiating agreements, project execution advice, risk mitigation, litigation and alternative dispute resolution.  Nora has assisted a wide array of clients from owners, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and design professionals. Her industry experience includes various disciplines and projects (e.g. mechanical, electrical, concrete, structural, elevator, manufacturing, projects for hospitals, transit, condominiums, large-scale wind-farms, refrigeration warehouses, water processing plants, mines and entertainment venues).  Nora also holds a Certificate in Construction Law and was ranked by Best Lawyers Canada as “Ones to Watch 2022” in the area of construction law.

Ankura

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Niamh Ní Chróinín is a Senior Director at Ankura based in Calgary, Alberta with 18 years of construction experience. Niamh specializes in delay and productivity analysis but also provides risk monitoring and project management services for ongoing projects to prevent or limit delay and/or commercial exposure. These services include contract management, procurement, bid management, dispute resolution, and design management. Niamh received her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the National University of Ireland in Galway and went on to receive her master’s degree in construction law and dispute resolution from Kings College in London. She is a chartered civil engineer with the Institution of Civil Engineers and a chartered quantity surveyor with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. In recent years, Niamh has been a scheduling and productivity lecturer for the Osgoode School of Construction Law Certificate Program and a guest lecturer at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). She was the Canadian Prairies representative for the Institution of Civil Engineers and a member of its Americas Committee. She is currently the Communications Board Director for the Society of Construction Law North America.

Breakwater Forensics LLC

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Dayna Anderson is co-founder and Senior Partner of Breakwater Forensics LLC, headquartered in Chicago. Her work as a forensic accountant and economic damages expert witness includes quantifying construction cost overruns, calculating lost profits and business interruption damages, and performing fraud investigations. She has worked on small and mega construction projects ranging from residential housing to oil refineries and power plants in national and international forums. Ms. Anderson is a Certified Management Accountant and Certified Fraud Examiner. She holds a Bachelors of Science in General Engineering from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana. Ms. Anderson has testified as an expert and presented at mediations and settlement negotiations related to financial and economic
damages issues. She has guest lectured at multiple universities and is currently the Regional Director for the Midwest and Vice-Chair of the Membership Advisory Committee for the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering International (“AACEi”) –an organization focused on construction project controls.

Bilfinger North America Inc.

Houston, Texas, USA

Chris Cano is currently Senior Counsel for Bilfinger North America Inc., which is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas.  In this capacity, he is responsible for managing all claims, disputes, arbitrations, and litigations.  He works closely with outside counsel, consultants, internal personnel, and insurers in seeking a resolution of disputes.  Prior to joining Bilfinger, he practiced for over twenty-five years with several firms in Chicago and Miami, focusing his practice primarily on construction litigation.  He successfully litigated and arbitrated matters domestically and internationally for contractors in all types of disputes, including construction defect claims, delay claims, contract disputes, mechanic’s lien clams, business torts and insurance coverage issues.  He also has extensive appellate experience relating to construction and insurance coverage disputes that includes several significant reported decisions.  In recognition of his skill, experience, and professional conduct in construction law, he was inducted into the Society of Illinois Construction Attorneys (SOICA).  Mr. Cano holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Notre Dame and Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University.  He is admitted to the state bars of California, Florida, Illinois, Texas, as well as the United States Supreme Court and several Federal Circuit Courts of Appeal and District Courts throughout the country.

Jordan Foster Construction

Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas, USA

Courtney M. Green currently serves as General Counsel of Jordan Foster Construction, LLC, a general contractor founded and headquartered in Texas.  As General Counsel, Courtney oversees contracting for the Commercial, Multi-Family and Infrastructure Groups as well as labor and employment matters and dispute resolution.  Previously Courtney worked in private practice representing mainly general contractors in litigation and arbitration disputes concerning contract and payment claims. Additionally, Courtney is a member of the American Arbitration Association’s Construction Industry Panel of Arbitrators and Mediators and actively serves as an arbitrator and mediator. Courtney holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Georgetown University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Texas School of Law.

Socotec

Aliso Viejo, California, USA

Robert Adams is a Managing Director at SOCOTEC with over 26 years of experience in the engineering, construction, project controls, and program management sectors. He specializes in complex, capital, and multi-phased domestic, and international projects. As a Managing Director, Mr. Adams spearheads projects and teams for the Advisory and Dispute Resolution division of SOCOTEC in California. His project portfolio includes a variety of industrial, commercial, energy, technology, mining, and sports/entertainment stadiums, IT, and R&D facilities. Mr. Adams has dedicated 18 years of his career working specifically in the oil & gas and mining industry, and 8 years working as an expert consultant in construction claims and dispute resolution for owners and general contractors for projects across the United States, Canada, and the Middle East. As a claims consultant, his practice areas include preparation and evaluation of construction claims, scheduling/delay analysis, productivity analysis, damages calculation, risk assessment, and disruption analysis. Throughout his profession, Mr. Adams has held numerous leading roles as scheduler, planner, project controls, risk analysis, contract administration and document control management for renown companies such as TC Energy, SNC Lavalin, Fluor Canada, and Halliburton. Mr. Adams holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification since 2013

McDermott Will & Emery

New York, New York, USA

David (Dave) Kiefer focuses his practice on litigation and arbitration matters arising out of construction and engineering disputes over large, international energy and infrastructure projects, including megaprojects valued in the billions of dollars.  Dave has prosecuted and defended against large and complex claims before federal and state courts, as well as domestic and international arbitration panels, for 25 years.  He is also currently the co-chair of the New York City Region of the Society of Construction Law, North America.

Hatch Group

Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Andrew is a Senior Legal Counsel and Director of Contracts, Commercial and Corporate Legal Services at the Hatch Group of companies. His focus is predominantly on the negotiation and facilitation of large construction and Infrastructure projects with cross over into other areas such as renewables, mining, energy and technologies. Andrew works closely with all aspects of Hatch’s business in order to deliver successful project outcomes for clients. Prior to joining Hatch, Andrew was a Senior Legal Counsel at EllisDon and was lead counsel for a number of EllisDon projects and EllisDon consortiums in Canada and internationally. Prior to that Andrew practiced at two internationally recognized Canadian firm, specializing in Construction contracting.  Andrew is particularly versed in unique project delivery models including the growing and evolving TOD, Alliance and P3 delivery models. Andrew holds two Bachelor of Commerce degrees from the Telfer School of Management and a Juris Doctorate from Queen’s University.

WDBA

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Chuck is Senior Legal Counsel at the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, a Canadian Crown Corporation overseeing the design, construction, financing, operation, and maintenance of the Gordie Howe Bridge Project connecting Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan. Chuck’s focus is predominantly on dispute resolution and risk mitigation. Chuck works closely with all of the functional groups at WDBA and regularly briefs senior officials in Michigan and Canada. Chuck also teaches construction law as a sessional professor at the University of Windsor’s Faculty of Law. Chuck holds Honours Bachelor of Arts degree and Masters degrees in political science as well as a Juris Doctorate from the University of Windsor.

EllisDon

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Manik joined EllisDon in May 2018 after spending two years as in-house legal counsel at Samsung Renewable Energy Inc., where he advised on the development, construction and operations/maintenance of renewable energy projects in North America. He started his career at Owens Wright LLP in 2013 as a commercial real estate lawyer advising on a variety of commercial real estate transactions and structuring.  During his time at EllisDon, Manik has assisted in the pursuit and closing of P3 and other infrastructure projects across North America.  This includes reviewing procurement and financing documentation, preparing and negotiating inter-consortium agreements, administering large and complex contracts and resolving disputes.  In his current role as Director of Legal Services at EllisDon, Manik leads the legal team’s advisory services with respect to P3, infrastructure and real estate development projects and is responsible for the preparation, review and negotiation of commercial contracts for the financing, development, construction and operations of such EllisDon initiatives.

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Andrew Punzo is a partner in the Toronto office of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG). His practice focuses on surety and construction law. He advises and represents sureties, owners, contractors and other companies across Canada on bonding issues and bond claims; construction disputes and litigation; liens and lien litigation; drafting and negotiating contracts; and procurement and development issues. Andrew also lends his expertise by sitting on the Surety Association of Canada, Ontario Regional Committee and instructing the Construction & Surety Law course for the Associateship of Canadian Surety Bonding program. Andrew obtained an undergraduate degree from York University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law.

Singleton

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

James Little is a Partner in the Construction and Infrastructure Practice Group at Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP. He advises on domestic and international construction disputes, including court proceedings, negotiation, arbitration and other dispute resolution alternatives and for a wide variety of construction industry clients.  James has been recognized as a leading construction lawyer by Best Lawyers, Who’s Who Legal and Benchmark Canada and was recently featured as a leading litigation lawyer in Benchmark Litigation’s 40 & Under Hot List.

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Richard Yehia is a partner in the Construction Group’s Toronto office, with an emphasis on surety issues.

He has extensive experience working on construction and surety files. He has represented contractors, subcontractors, owners, bonding companies and design professionals in a variety of construction issues, and has appeared before the Ontario Superior Court, Ontario Court of Appeal, Alberta Court of the Queen’s Bench and Alberta Court of Appeal.

He has also completed contract reviews and drafting for design and construction clients.

Richard graduated from the Faculty of Law at York University in 2011 and was called to the Ontario bar in 2012. He also holds a certificate in international business law from Bucerius Law School in Hamburg, Germany.

Before attending law school, Richard studied Clinical Biochemistry at the University of Western.

Bechtel 

Reston, Virginia, USA

Andrea Hackett Henningsen serves as Principal Counsel, Manager of Insured Claims & Litigation, for Bechtel Global Corporation, managing claims and insured litigation globally. Before joining Bechtel almost 14 years ago, Andrea was a commercial litigator in San Francisco for fifteen years as a trial lawyer and appellate advocate. She received her law degree from University of California at Hastings, and her undergraduate degree at University of California at Berkeley.

BRG

Washington, DC, USA

Dr. Pasha Ameli is an associate director of Berkley Research Group (BRG) Global Construction practice in Washington, DC.  His practice is focused on offering construction advisory, dispute resolution and construciton litigation support with a focus on construction costs and quantum of damages.  Prior to joining the industry as a consultant, he was a researcher at the University of California, Irvine, where he obtained his Doctorate degree in the field of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Stratus Risk Associates, a division of Turner Construction Company

Reston, Virginia, USA

Greg Stortstrom serves as a Risk Manager in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions for Stratus Risk Associates.  Greg’s responsibilities include securing project insurance, claims management, legal coordination, and training. In 2022, Turner Construction Company rebranded the risk management division and thus Stratus Risk Associates was formed.  Prior to his time with Stratus, Greg had a successful 30+ year career with Turner Construction Company, holding numerous positions, including Project Manager. Prior to Turner, Greg worked as both a Superintendent and an Engineer.  Greg has a Professional Engineer license and holds both a BSE and MS from Duke University in Civil Engineering.

Glaholt Bowles

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Michael specializes in international construction arbitration, and has experience working for owners, contractors, and engineers. His work focuses on large scale projects and infrastructure including pipelines, power generation and transmission, refineries, tunneling, light rail, mining and hospitals. Michael has extensive experience with claims for disruption, delay and prolongation, designer negligence, and construction deficiencies. In addition to his arbitration experience, Michael has also advised clients in respect of disputes before project Dispute Resolution Boards.

Michael is the co-author of a chapter in “Review of Construction Law: Recent Developments” about Building Information Modeling (Toronto: Carswell, 2012), and of the chapter “Sustainable Construction” in “Modern Legal Landscape of Design Professional Practice” (Toronto: Carswell, 2023). He was previously a co-editor of the IBA’s Construction Law International.

Michael is a Founding Member of the Society of Construction Law North America and Regional Director for the Ontario region. He has been recognized as a Leading Lawyer to Watch by Lexpert, and by Who’s Who as a Future Leader in Construction Law.

Michael is an Adjunct Professor of Construction Law at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law.

Pinsent Masons LLP

London, England, United Kingdom

Clea is a Partner in the International Arbitration and Construction Advisory and Disputes groups of Pinsent Masons.

She is a dual Canadian-British national with over twelve years of specialisation in international commercial and investment arbitration, of which five years as a foreign registered lawyer at the Paris Bar. Clea has particular experience representing clients in the infrastructure, construction, energy and natural resources sectors, and has represented private companies, state-owned entities and states in numerous international arbitrations including under the ICC, LCIA, ICSID, and UNCITRAL Rules. Most recently, Clea has successfully represented a North African state in two treaty disputes and one related contract arbitration in respect of claims arising out of an infrastructure project affected by the events of the Arab Spring.

In addition, Clea has acted as Secretary to arbitral tribunals in contractual disputes in the energy and heavy infrastructure sectors brought under the aegis of the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), the Tehran Regional Arbitration Centre (TRAC), and the Tribunal Arbitral du Sport (TAS). Clea is fluent in French and English, and has advised and acted on cases in both languages.

Wood

Houston, Texas, USA

Orlando J. Ramirez is currently serving as Regional Counsel – Latin America of Wood plc, a global leader in consulting and engineering across energy and materials markets, headquartered in Aberdeen and Houston. Orlando is responsible for all Wood plc legal affairs for all Wood plc business units in the Latin American region. In his role, Orlando has legal oversight of legal matters in the region including contracting advice, M&A, risk management, labor and employment, mobility, real estate, cross border transactions, finance, tax, disputes, and litigation. Orlando has been with Wood plc for over 20 years managing over 150 litigations in the region on annually basis, including arbitrations in the region, and he was formerly in private practice with the international law firm Baker & McKenzie, Caracas office. Orlando holds a JD from the Andres Bello Catholic University Law School, Caracas Venezuela, postgraduate studies in civil and commercial litigation from the same University and a LLM from the University of Houston Law School.

Jones Walker

Houston, Texas, USA

Tiffany Raush is a partner in the Jones Walker LLP’s Construction Practice.  Tiffany counsels clients primarily in industrial, infrastructure, and energy industries with an emphasis on contract drafting and disputes involving large-scale infrastructure and industrial construction projects.  She spent the better part of a year at Wood Group USA Inc.as in-house Managing Counsel directly responsible for US and Canadian construction projects. Tiffany is Regional Director of the Gulf Coast Region of SCL-NA in Houston, Texas; a member of the Board for the Rice Global Engineering & Construction Forum; and Managing Editor of the Construction Law Update, an annual publication by Wolters Kluwer.  She is a frequent presenter and author on legal issues affecting the construction industry, including recently “Loopholes: Identifying and Managing Key Risks in EPC Contracts” ( March 9, 2023 Rice Global Forum Roundtable), “Three Sheets to the Wind: Cautionary Tales of Unlimited Risk in Offshore Wind Construction” (Texas Lawyer, March 4, 2022), “The Choice Is Yours – Or Is It? Anti-Choice of Law Statutes Applicable to Construction Contracts” (ConsensusDocs, September 7, 2022), and the upcoming “Best Foot Forward: Preserving Limited Liability and Leverage in Negotiating Termination for Convenience Payment” (ConsensusDocs).

CDM Smith

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Jason Makofsky is Senior Legal Counsel at CDM Smith, a global privately owned engineering and construction firm headquartered here in Boston, providing smart solutions in water, environment, transportation, energy and facilities. CDM Smith recently celebrated its 75^th anniversary, and Jason has been with CDM Smith for 15 years. He provides legal advice in all areas of the law, including contract negotiation, litigation and claims, labor and employment, and corporate governance. Jason holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Instutite and a Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School. Jason is also a registered professional engineer, and previously worked as a public works engineer for a few municipalities in the greater Boston area.

Cozen O’Connor

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Wendy is a Shareholder with Cozen O’Connor in Boston, MA.  Her practice focuses on the litigation and arbitration of domestic and international construction disputes, including mediation and arbitration before the AAA, JAMS, LCIA, ICDR and ICC.  She is an experienced trial attorney, having handled dozens of construction disputes, some involving claims in excess of $1 billion.  Most recently, she obtained an arbitration award in excess of $237 million for her client in an international arbitration arising out of the wrongful termination of an EPC Contract.  She also serves as an arbitrator and is a member of the panel of neutrals of the AAA (Construction), AAA Mega Projects, ICDR, CPR (Construction, Insurance Policy Holder Coverage, and Boston at Large ADR Panels), LCIA, and ICC and is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Wendy is a Past Chair of the ABA Forum on Construction Law, a Fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers, co-chair of the CIArb Boston Chapter, Board Member of the CIArb North American Branch, Board Council of the AAA, Board Member of Women in Construction and National Board Development Committee of Girl Scouts USA.  For the past eight years, she has been named in the International Who’s Who of Construction Law and was recently named Massachusetts Lawyer of the Year.

XXIV Old Buildings

London, UK and Dubai, UAE

Michael Black KC has been a construction lawyer for over 45 years. The main focus of his work has been in the oil & gas, energy, process engineering, infrastructure, transport and hospitality sectors.

His practice has been truly global stretching from the Americas westwards to East Asia and the Pacific Islands. He has appeared as counsel in many landmark cases in England and the Commonwealth.

He now divides his time between sitting as an international arbitrator and as judge of the Dubai International Financial Centre Court of Appeal and Head of the Digital Economy Court (a court dedicated to emerging technology disputes).

He is a Chartered Arbitrator, member of the ICC Commission and on the Court of the Casablanca Mediation & Arbitration Centre. He sat for 13 years as deputy judge of the London Technology & Construction Court and is a Visiting Professor of Construction Law at Manchester University, England. He has taught construction law at universities in the US and East Asia.

In the past 25 years Michael has sat as arbitrator in over 125 large scale arbitrations under various institutional rules and ad hoc. Recent plaudits include: “sources consider him a ‘great name’ in London and internationally”, “Michael is a formidable arbitrator”, “I cannot recommend him more highly for cases of true complexity”, “an excellent arbitrator with superb knowledge of the law and exceptional case management skills”, “His experience and abilities are such that he is the go-to arbitrator for any disputes in the Middle East region.”

Comad, S.C.

Mexico City, Mexico

Gunter Arbitration

Geneva, Switzerland

Anya Marinkovich is a Swiss-American attorney based in Geneva, Switzerland, where she has been practicing in the field of international commercial arbitration since 2013. She has extensive experience in the fields of energy, construction, joint venture and post-M&A disputes, advising clients on all stages of dispute avoidance and resolution. She has acted as counsel on numerous cases before various arbitral institutions, including the ICC, the LCIA and the Swiss Arbitration Centre, and also acts as arbitrator and arbitral secretary. She obtained her Juris Doctorate from Santa Clara University with a specialization in international and comparative law, and studied Swiss law at the University of Neuchâtel, where she obtained an LL.M. in Business and Tax Law. She also holds a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Law & Management from the University of St. Gallen. She is a member of the Board of the International Centre for Dispute Resolution’s Young and International group, for which she co-organizes the annual Swiss Chalet Debate! on hot topics of international arbitration and co-hosts a webinar series on best practices in international construction arbitration.

Kilpatrick, Townsend & Stockton, LLP

Houston, Texas, USA

Ed Hubbard is Of Counsel in the Houston office of Kilpatrick Townsend.  He has argued and tried cases in state and federal trial and appellate courts, and before arbitration panels, across the country for 40 years.  His practice has focused on complex commercial litigation and appellate law, including the management of complex multi-jurisdiction and international disputes, management of multi-case dockets for clients across the US and internationally, service on steering committees in product-liability MDL actions, litigation of parallel civil and criminal actions, trial and arbitration of complex construction disputes, judicial enforcement of arbitration and forum-selection clauses. Outside his practice, Ed has served as an officer and board member of various local and national civic and political non-profit organizations, foundations, and PACs.  Ed holds a Bachelor of Arts with honors in History from Rockford College (now Rockford University), a Juris Doctorate with honors from the Southern Methodist University School of Law, and certificates in mediation and arbitration from the University of Houston School of Law.

WOOD

Houston, Texas, USA

Vince Hannigan is responsible for overseeing all legal matters and all legal services in support of Wood’s business in the Western Hemisphere, including implementation of proactive dispute resolution and litigation management practices, and ensuring alignment of priorities and decisions with the company’s overall strategic objectives.  In addition, Vince provides counsel and mentoring to Wood’s business leadership team on complex legal matters on a multi-jurisdictional basis covering a broad spectrum and specialized areas of law.  With more than 35,000 professionals across 60 countries, Wood is one of the world’s leading consulting and engineering companies operating across Energy and Materials markets.

Kilpatrick, Townsend & Stockton, LLP

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA

Mark Boynton is based in Kilpatrick Townsend’s Winston-Salem office and works in its Environment & Product Regulation and Construction and Infrastructure practice groups.  With twenty-five years of litigation experience, Mark represents owners, contractors, and design professionals in complex construction and environmental disputes. Mark has taught trial advocacy for fifteen years at Wake Forest School of Law, is a regular member of faculty for NITA, and has presented multiple seminars & CLE programs on construction law and trial advocacy. A former chair of the NCBA Litigation Section, Mark is recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® in Construction/Construction Litigation.

Kilpatrick, Townsend & Stockton, LLP

Houston, Texas, USA

Pat Gaas is the managing partner of the Houston office of Kilpatrick Townsend.  With more than three decades of experience, Pat leads one of the largest and most accomplished construction practice groups in the country.  He is regularly engaged to handle some of the largest and most challenging commercial and industrial construction disputes and transactions both domestically and internationally.  Pat has been recognized numerous times by Super Lawyers, The Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA, and Legal 500 US in the fields of Construction Law and Construction Litigation.  He is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell.

Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, Inc.

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Christine is the Vice President and General Counsel of Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, Inc. (“BBII”), a subsidiary of London-based Balfour Beatty plc (LSE: BBY), a leading international infrastructure group that finances, develops, builds and maintains complex building programs focused on social and commercial buildings, power and utility systems, and transportation. Balfour Beatty US with combined revenues of over $4 billion, was ranked 17^th overall by Engineering News-Record as one of the “Top 400 Contractors in the United States” for 2020.

Christine has extensive experience in construction law, including the negotiation, mediation and arbitration of large and complex construction-related legal matters. Prior to joining Balfour Beatty, she was the head of Venable LLP’s Construction Law Group, based out of Venable’s Northern Virginia office. Christine obtained her JD from the George Mason University School of Law.

Christine holds multiple bar admissions, is a Fellow and on the Board of Governors of the American College of Construction Lawyers. She also played an integral role in founding the Construction Industry Ethics & Compliance Initiative (“CIECI”), a non-profit association of U.S. construction industry participants dedicated to the promotion of integrity and ethical conduct in the construction industry and is the current CIECI Treasurer.

Bond Brothers, Inc.

Medford, Massachusetts, USA

Paul M. James is Senior Vice President of Risk Management and General Counsel of BOND Brothers, Inc.  Paul and his team provide legal, risk management and safety services and guidance to the BOND Companies, including BOND Building Construction, Inc. and BOND Civil & Utility Construction, Inc.  Prior to joining the BOND Companies in 2014 Paul spent 26 years with Holland & Knight, LLP and its Boston predecessor representing general contractors, construction managers and design builders, and he led Holland & Knight’s New England Construction Practice.

Paul has written and spoken on a variety of construction industry related topics, including the structuring and negotiation of major construction industry contract documents and risk management and mitigation.  He is a graduate of Boston University School of Law and Providence College, and his past honors include selection in The Best Lawyers in America Guide for Construction Law, 2013-2021, and being named as 2022’s Construction Lawyer of the Year for Boston.

Consigli Construction Co.

New York, New York, USA

Todd is currently serving as the General Counsel of Consigli Construction Co., Inc., an East Coast construction management firm, where he has held that title for over 8 years.  As General Counsel, Todd has legal oversight of Consigli’s operations, including contract negotiations, acquisitions, enterprise risk management, claims management, investigations, and monitoring outside counsels’ performance.  Todd was formerly with several law firms representing developers, design professionals, and construction management firms before federal, state, and regional tribunals in claims, arbitrations, mediations, and litigation.  Todd started his career out of law school as a Law Clerk with the Connecticut Superior Court in New Haven, CT.  Todd holds a Bachelor of Arts from Dickinson College and a Juris Doctorate from Syracuse University College of Law.  Outside of Todd’s professional life, he enjoys working on his golf game, platform tennis, skiing, and spending time with his family.

Lighthouse Consulting Group

Burlington, Massachusetts, USA

Chris is a Vice President at Lighthouse Consulting Group and is based in Burlington, Massachusetts. With direct experience as an owner, contractor, and designer, Chris has a unique perspective into the needs and demands of project participants. He draws on this experience and expertise to assist in the effective, swift, and equitable resolution of construction disputes and claims.  Chris specializes in schedule and delay analysis, quantum development and defense, productivity and labor analysis, project controls, construction cost analysis, contract administration, project and program management, and dispute resolution. Chris’ industry experience included healthcare, senior and assisted living, power plants, education, senior/student housing, mixed-use, transportation, commercial, industrial, historical renovations, utilities, water and wastewater, and disaster management.

Chris holds a Civil Engineering degree from Northeastern University and an MBA from the University of Massachusetts. Prior to joining Lighthouse, Chris worked as a construction project controller for a major hospital in Boston, MA and managed construction projects for two large New England contractors.

Flour Corporation

Aliso Viejo, California, USA

James Dierking is Assistant General Counsel with Fluor Corporation (FLR), a Fortune 500 Company that delivers engineering, procurement, management, and construction services to governments and private clients worldwide. Mr. Dierking is responsible for overseeing and managing Fluor’s worldwide dispute resolution activities.  Prior to joining Fluor, Mr. Dierking worked as a lawyer with Arter & Hadden L.L.P, a Cleveland based international law firm then listed among the top forty private law firms nationwide. Mr. Dierking also taught law and international business classes at the American College in London, worked as an Associate for Monteleone & McCrory L.L.P., and spent time as a research attorney on the California Court of Appeals and in the U.S. Attorney’s office. He also served as Judge Pro Tem in the Superior Courts for the State of California prior to joining Fluor’s Law Department.  Mr. Dierking is licensed to practice law in California, New York, and the District of Columbia.  He holds a L.L.M. (Master of Laws) from the London School of Economics, University of London, earned J.D. and M.A. degrees from the University of San Diego, a B.A. from Cal State Fullerton, and attended executive and professional education programs at Harvard Business School, Pepperdine’s Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, and Northwestern University School of Law.

Musick, Peeler & Garrett LLP

Los Angeles, California, USA

Nathan O’Malley is a partner in the Los Angeles office of Musick Peeler where he leads the International Arbitration and Litigation Practice Group. As a recognized expert in the field of arbitration, Nathan represents his clients at all stages of dispute resolution. Nathan is also regularly appointed to serve as an arbitrator in high value disputes and he utilizes this experience, along with his years of work as an advocate, to provide his clients with targeted guidance and skillful representation.

Nathan’s practice is largely focused on disputes in the renewable and clean energy sector where he represents clients involved in the engineering, construction, operation and sale of various energy producing assets, such as solar thermal power facilities and natural gas-fired electricity plants. In recent years, he has developed a particular expertise in the field of onshore and offshore wind farms, and has served as an arbitrator in disputes involving wind energy. Next to his work in the renewables sector, Nathan has extensive experience with disputes involving infrastructure and industrial construction projects, as well as technology and general commercial matters. Nathan has also represented clients involved in the payments industry, having acted for foreign acquiring banks and other financial institutions.

Over the course of his career, Nathan has appeared on behalf of clients in international and domestic arbitrations seated in the US and in various foreign jurisdictions, including appearing before tribunals in Geneva, Zurich, Amsterdam, Brussels, The Hague, Frankfurt, Singapore and Abu Dhabi. He has handled cases brought under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), UNCITRAL Rules, Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC), Netherlands Arbitration Institute (NAI), Swiss Rules, ICDR/AAA, JAMS and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Nathan also appears before state and federal courts, including the California Courts of Appeal and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, often in cases pertaining to international arbitration. In 2017 he successfully argued the matter (for the amicus curiae) of Portland General Electric v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Company et al.,862 F.3d 981 (9th Cir. 2017), which was the first opinion of the Ninth Circuit to consider whether courts must defer to arbitrators on issues of arbitrability when the ICC Rules of Arbitration are applicable. In its opinion, the Court largely adopted Nathan’s arguments as set forth in the submitted brief and at oral argument.

Nathan is a lecturer in international arbitration law at the USC Gould School of Law and has authored a number of academic works on various ADR topics, including a leading text on international arbitration procedure which is now in its second edition, The Rules of Evidence in International Arbitration: An Annotated Guide (Routledge / Informa, London). Nathan also serves as the Co-Chair of the AAA-ICDR California Committee and leads the organizing committee of the USC International Arbitration Symposium.

Prior to joining Musick Peeler, Nathan was based in the Netherlands for over ten years, where he worked for several non-US law firms as an associate and partner, and was registered with the Rotterdam Bar as a foreign lawyer. Nathan reads and speaks Dutch.

JAMS

Los Angeles, California, USA

Barbara A. Reeves, Esq. serves as a mediator and arbitrator in complex business and employment litigation pending throughout the United States, including construction, intellectual property, antitrust, class actions, including claims arising under the False Claims Act, environmental coverage cases, and other commercial disputes. Ms. Reeves has experience conducting domestic and international arbitrations under various institutional rules, including JAMS, JAMS International, ICC, ICDR, AAA, CPR, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). She was a member of the AAA Complex Case Panel, prior to joining JAMS.

Before becoming a full-time neutral, Ms. Reeves had an extensive and varied litigation and business counseling practice, clerking with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (Hon. Alfred T. Goodwin), as a trial attorney with the United States Department of Justice, Antitrust Division in Washington, D.C. and as Chief of the Los Angeles Office, a partner at national law firms, and as Associate General Counsel and Vice President for Southern California Edison and Edison International with responsibility for litigation and regulatory matters, as well as Procurement/Supply Chain, Real Estate and Transportation.

She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and the College of Commercial Arbitrators (President-elect 2022-23), and a certified mediator with the International Mediation Institute. She is also a certified e-discovery specialist. She received her J.D. cum laude from Harvard Law School.

JAMS

Los Angeles, California, USA

Laura C. Abrahamson, Esq.,  brings extensive domestic and international ADR experience dealing with conflicts in the energy, engineering, construction and chemicals industries to her practice as a full time arbitrator and mediator with JAMS.  Prior to joining JAMS in 2020, Ms. Abrahamson served for five years as Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Global Head of Litigation at AECOM, an American multinational firm that provides engineering, design, consulting and construction services, where she oversaw complex, cross-border disputes. Previously, Ms. Abrahamson spent nearly 20 years in-house at Occidental Petroleum (OXY), where she led major litigation and domestic and international arbitration efforts.

Ms. Abrahamson is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), a board member of CIArb’s North American Branch, a Vice President of California Arbitration and is a panelist on multiple domestic and international arbitration centers, including the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC);  the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA); the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and California’s Public Works Contract Arbitration Program (PWCA).

Ms. Abrahamson holds a degree in business administration from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley, with a dual major in accounting and finance, and a J.D. from the UCLA School of Law.

Pinheiro Neto

Brazil

San Paulo State Court

Brazil

Andréa Galhardo Palma is a civil law judge, working currently at the São Paulo State Court since 2000, with great experience in litigation over the contract in general, torts, corporation, construction Law, public contracts. Nowadays she is in charge of 2nd Regional Corporate, Insolvency and Arbitration Court in São Paulo City which cover more than 30 industrial cities around São Paulo State..

She took part in many lawsuits involving,  contracts,  insolvency/recovery and domestic arbitration issuing provisional/urgent measures and annulment awards according Brazilian arbitration law. Andréa was the head of the at least 5000 process at her office currently consulting branch of the office.

She has a law Degree from USP, Brazil, LLM from University of Pennsylvania (PennState) focus on International Commercial Arbitration,  Specialization in  International Commercial Arbitration at Columbia University and  domestic arbitration at FGV University of Sao Paulo. Certified in compliance anti-corruption law in 2019 at LEC- Legal Ethics and Compliance. PhD Candidate at Lisbon University focus on Corporate Law.

Frequent guest speaker on arbitration/ mediation in recovery and insolvency issues. Fellow (FCIArb) and Faculty of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), Member of Construction Law Society – Branch of North America and member of DRBF (Dispute Board Resolution Foundation – America Latina Branch.

Vinson & Elkins

Houston, Texas, USA

Peter is Counsel at Vinson & Elkins LLP, in the firm’s International Dispute Resolution group. His principal area of practice includes large-scale construction and energy disputes, with extensive experience in both international commercial arbitration and investor-state arbitration. Peter has represented both owners and contractors in a variety of different infrastructure disputes, including those related to major maritime projects, onshore and offshore natural gas facilities and various other power generation facilities. He has a particular emphasis on Latin America but has also represented clients in various other regions including Australia, Western Europe and the Middle East. Peter joined V&E in 2013, after graduating from the University of Houston Law Center. Peter also holds a bachelor’s degree from Tulane University.

McMillan LLP

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Gemma Healy-Murphy is a Senior Associate at McMillan LLP, practicing in litigation and dispute resolution with particular expertise in leasing, construction and product liability disputes. Gemma has successfully appeared at all levels of court in Ontario, including the Ontario Court of Appeal.

Gemma has significant insurance experience and provides advice on all manner of insurance policies, including cyber insurance. Gemma advises on such issues as scope of coverage, priority of policies, and defence and indemnity obligations. Gemma also regularly assists clients in navigating the insurance claim process, including working with experts in the valuation of business interruption losses.

Gemma enjoys connecting with the Irish community in Canada. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Irish Canadian Immigration Centre and has recently established the Canada Ireland Bar Association.

Secretariat

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Zackery Kilgore is a Director at Secretariat based in Atlanta, GA. Mr. Kilgore has over 10 years of experience in the construction industry specializing in the areas of dispute resolution, delay analysis, scheduling, claims, as well as construction and project management. He has provided expert services to owners and contractors across a wide range of projects throughout the world including airports, petrochemical plants, light-rail projects, refineries, water treatment plants, salvage operations, highways, and commercial mixed-use facilities.

Before joining Secretariat, Mr. Kilgore worked as a field engineer internationally on multi-billion dollar projects including petrochemical plants, oil refineries, and transportation infrastructure.

Atrium Leadership

Providence, Rhode Island, USA

John Abbruzzese is a keynote speaker, facilitator, and ICF-certified executive coach with 15 years of experience helping leaders surface deep assumptions that impede their potential so they can leverage personal growth for business impact.  John’s clients include L’Oréal USA, World Economic Forum, BRP, Accenture, Oliver Wyman, Salesforce, Kaiser Permanente, and NASA.  As a professor at Providence College in Providence, RI, John also teaches moral leadership to future leaders interested in dedicating their lives to creating positive social impact. He holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a Ph.D. from Brown University and resides in East Greenwich, RI.

McMillan LLP

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Kailey Sutton is a Partner at McMillan LLP, practicing in construction, infrastructure, municipal and land use planning. She represents the full range of development stakeholders, and her experience includes advising on development projects, by-law and regulatory compliance issues, expropriation proceedings, and Building Code matters, as well as obtaining front-end approvals and permitting, and drafting and negotiating complex agreements. Kailey appears before municipal councils, tribunals and the Ontario Courts. Kailey is a member of the Urban Land Institute’s Program Committee, a member at large on the Ontario Bar Association’s Municipal Law Section Executive, and a frequent author and panelist on development-law-related matters.

McMillan LLP

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Jeremy Rankin is a partner at McMillan LLP and an executive member of McMillan’s National Construction Group. His practice focus on resolving disputes in the construction, infrastructure and real estate industries. Jeremy represents stakeholders at every level of the construction pyramid, including owners, general contractors, subcontractors, engineers and consultants.

Jeremy acts behalf of clients in disputes concerning cost overruns, interference, extras, delays, scope of work changes and other construction impact claims in litigation, adjudication, mediation and arbitration. Jeremy also regularly advises developers regarding disputes with regulatory bodies and purchasers of real property, and assists landlords and tenants resolve commercial leasing disputes

Jeremy has worked with clients to resolve disputes relating to the construction of biomass plants, hydroelectric power stations, transformer stations, universities, medical facilities, hotels, food processing plants, water treatment plants, and large commercial, residential, and condominium developments.

Senior In-house Legal Practitioner

Perth, Australia

Craig’s legal career has spanned some 40 years, evenly split between South Africa and Australia, with extensive experience in engineering and construction, infrastructure, mining, resources, commercial, corporate and insurance in both non-contentious and contentious matters, gained as an independent barrister at the Johannesburg Bar, a solicitor and partner in top-tier law firms and corporate in-house counsel, including General Counsel, in both countries. Craig now periodically undertakes fixed term contract consultancy roles and secondments into corporations in the construction, mining and resources sectors.

Craig’s experience includes both front-end contract preparation, drafting and negotiation, and back-end disputes, arbitration and litigation of claims relating to construction performance, design defects, project management, contract administration, contractual interpretation and insurance issues.

BHP

Perth, Australia

Duncan is now with BHP, in the commercial department servicing various projects on its mine sites in Western Australia. Duncan has worked in commercial roles for the majority of the last 20 years predominantly with contractors in the energy sector (oil & gas, wind & mining) beginning in Scotland with periods in Dubai, Malaysia, Japan and now Australia.

Throughout his roles, Duncan has had to assist in the consideration of commercial matters in order to protect the interests of the company while remaining competitive in numerous countries in the respective regions of Europe, North Africa Middle East and Asia Pacific. Duncan spent 10 years on the Ichthys LNG project, seeing it through from FEED to completion. This period was interrupted in 2015 with time spent in FEED on some proposed LNG projects in Canada.

Australian Lawyer

San Francisco, USA

Merra Kurubalan is an Australian lawyer admitted to practice in both the High Court of Australia and the Supreme Court of Western Australia. She is also admitted in New Zealand. Merra was most recently a resident in Vinson & Elkins LLP’s San Francisco office. She is currently pursuing her goals of becoming a California attorney.  Her principal area of practice has been in complex commercial litigation with a particular focus on international arbitration.

Merra has in-house and firm experience in mega construction and engineering disputes including a JV in a multibillion-dollar arbitration arising from upstream and downstream disputations. Disputations included MDC claims, PCG claims, combined cycle power plant disputes, subcontractors walking off-site, issues of delay, variations, defect rectification, and liquidated damages to mention but a few. She also has experience acting as an arbitral secretary for an ICC tribunal.

Clifford Chance

Perth, Australia

Lydia Low is an Associate at Clifford Chance, a disputes lawyer with a particular focus on construction and oil and gas disputes. She began her legal career as an in-house lawyer for JKC, the main contractor for the Ichthys LNG Project in Darwin and has broad experience representing the company in multiple arbitration proceedings under the ICC Rules. Lydia has also spent time on reverse secondment with an international law firm and assisted them to manage the disputes.

Flour Corporation

Aliso Viejo, California, USA

James Dierking is Assistant General Counsel with Fluor Corporation (FLR), a Fortune 500 Company that delivers engineering, procurement, management, and construction services to governments and private clients worldwide. Mr. Dierking is responsible for overseeing and managing Fluor’s worldwide dispute resolution activities.  Prior to joining Fluor, Mr. Dierking worked as a lawyer with Arter & Hadden L.L.P, a Cleveland based international law firm then listed among the top forty private law firms nationwide. Mr. Dierking also taught law and international business classes at the American College in London, worked as an Associate for Monteleone & McCrory L.L.P., and spent time as a research attorney on the California Court of Appeals and in the U.S. Attorney’s office. He also served as Judge Pro Tem in the Superior Courts for the State of California prior to joining Fluor’s Law Department.  Mr. Dierking is licensed to practice law in California, New York, and the District of Columbia.  He holds a L.L.M. (Master of Laws) from the London School of Economics, University of London, earned J.D. and M.A. degrees from the University of San Diego, a B.A. from Cal State Fullerton, and attended executive and professional education programs at Harvard Business School, Pepperdine’s Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, and Northwestern University School of Law.

Musick, Peeler & Garrett LLP

Los Angeles, California, USA

Nathan O’Malley is a partner in the Los Angeles office of Musick Peeler where he leads the International Arbitration and Litigation Practice Group. As a recognized expert in the field of arbitration, Nathan represents his clients at all stages of dispute resolution. Nathan is also regularly appointed to serve as an arbitrator in high value disputes and he utilizes this experience, along with his years of work as an advocate, to provide his clients with targeted guidance and skillful representation.

Nathan’s practice is largely focused on disputes in the renewable and clean energy sector where he represents clients involved in the engineering, construction, operation and sale of various energy producing assets, such as solar thermal power facilities and natural gas-fired electricity plants. In recent years, he has developed a particular expertise in the field of onshore and offshore wind farms, and has served as an arbitrator in disputes involving wind energy. Next to his work in the renewables sector, Nathan has extensive experience with disputes involving infrastructure and industrial construction projects, as well as technology and general commercial matters. Nathan has also represented clients involved in the payments industry, having acted for foreign acquiring banks and other financial institutions.

Over the course of his career, Nathan has appeared on behalf of clients in international and domestic arbitrations seated in the US and in various foreign jurisdictions, including appearing before tribunals in Geneva, Zurich, Amsterdam, Brussels, The Hague, Frankfurt, Singapore and Abu Dhabi. He has handled cases brought under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), UNCITRAL Rules, Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC), Netherlands Arbitration Institute (NAI), Swiss Rules, ICDR/AAA, JAMS and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Nathan also appears before state and federal courts, including the California Courts of Appeal and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, often in cases pertaining to international arbitration. In 2017 he successfully argued the matter (for the amicus curiae) of Portland General Electric v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Company et al.,862 F.3d 981 (9th Cir. 2017), which was the first opinion of the Ninth Circuit to consider whether courts must defer to arbitrators on issues of arbitrability when the ICC Rules of Arbitration are applicable. In its opinion, the Court largely adopted Nathan’s arguments as set forth in the submitted brief and at oral argument.

Nathan is a lecturer in international arbitration law at the USC Gould School of Law and has authored a number of academic works on various ADR topics, including a leading text on international arbitration procedure which is now in its second edition, The Rules of Evidence in International Arbitration: An Annotated Guide (Routledge / Informa, London). Nathan also serves as the Co-Chair of the AAA-ICDR California Committee and leads the organizing committee of the USC International Arbitration Symposium.

Prior to joining Musick Peeler, Nathan was based in the Netherlands for over ten years, where he worked for several non-US law firms as an associate and partner, and was registered with the Rotterdam Bar as a foreign lawyer. Nathan reads and speaks Dutch.

JAMS

Los Angeles, California, USA

Barbara A. Reeves, Esq. serves as a mediator and arbitrator in complex business and employment litigation pending throughout the United States, including construction, intellectual property, antitrust, class actions, including claims arising under the False Claims Act, environmental coverage cases, and other commercial disputes. Ms. Reeves has experience conducting domestic and international arbitrations under various institutional rules, including JAMS, JAMS International, ICC, ICDR, AAA, CPR, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). She was a member of the AAA Complex Case Panel, prior to joining JAMS.

Before becoming a full-time neutral, Ms. Reeves had an extensive and varied litigation and business counseling practice, clerking with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (Hon. Alfred T. Goodwin), as a trial attorney with the United States Department of Justice, Antitrust Division in Washington, D.C. and as Chief of the Los Angeles Office, a partner at national law firms, and as Associate General Counsel and Vice President for Southern California Edison and Edison International with responsibility for litigation and regulatory matters, as well as Procurement/Supply Chain, Real Estate and Transportation.

She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and the College of Commercial Arbitrators (President-elect 2022-23), and a certified mediator with the International Mediation Institute. She is also a certified e-discovery specialist. She received her J.D. cum laude from Harvard Law School.

JAMS

Los Angeles, California, USA

Laura C. Abrahamson, Esq.,  brings extensive domestic and international ADR experience dealing with conflicts in the energy, engineering, construction and chemicals industries to her practice as a full time arbitrator and mediator with JAMS.  Prior to joining JAMS in 2020, Ms. Abrahamson served for five years as Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Global Head of Litigation at AECOM, an American multinational firm that provides engineering, design, consulting and construction services, where she oversaw complex, cross-border disputes. Previously, Ms. Abrahamson spent nearly 20 years in-house at Occidental Petroleum (OXY), where she led major litigation and domestic and international arbitration efforts.

Ms. Abrahamson is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), a board member of CIArb’s North American Branch, a Vice President of California Arbitration and is a panelist on multiple domestic and international arbitration centers, including the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC);  the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA); the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and California’s Public Works Contract Arbitration Program (PWCA).

Ms. Abrahamson holds a degree in business administration from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley, with a dual major in accounting and finance, and a J.D. from the UCLA School of Law.

Pinheiro Neto

Brazil

San Paulo State Court

Brazil

Andréa Galhardo Palma is a civil law judge, working currently at the São Paulo State Court since 2000, with great experience in litigation over the contract in general, torts, corporation, construction Law, public contracts. Nowadays she is in charge of 2nd Regional Corporate, Insolvency and Arbitration Court in São Paulo City which cover more than 30 industrial cities around São Paulo State..

She took part in many lawsuits involving,  contracts,  insolvency/recovery and domestic arbitration issuing provisional/urgent measures and annulment awards according Brazilian arbitration law. Andréa was the head of the at least 5000 process at her office currently consulting branch of the office.

She has a law Degree from USP, Brazil, LLM from University of Pennsylvania (PennState) focus on International Commercial Arbitration,  Specialization in  International Commercial Arbitration at Columbia University and  domestic arbitration at FGV University of Sao Paulo. Certified in compliance anti-corruption law in 2019 at LEC- Legal Ethics and Compliance. PhD Candidate at Lisbon University focus on Corporate Law.

Frequent guest speaker on arbitration/ mediation in recovery and insolvency issues. Fellow (FCIArb) and Faculty of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), Member of Construction Law Society – Branch of North America and member of DRBF (Dispute Board Resolution Foundation – America Latina Branch.

Vinson & Elkins

Houston, Texas, USA

Peter is Counsel at Vinson & Elkins LLP, in the firm’s International Dispute Resolution group. His principal area of practice includes large-scale construction and energy disputes, with extensive experience in both international commercial arbitration and investor-state arbitration. Peter has represented both owners and contractors in a variety of different infrastructure disputes, including those related to major maritime projects, onshore and offshore natural gas facilities and various other power generation facilities. He has a particular emphasis on Latin America but has also represented clients in various other regions including Australia, Western Europe and the Middle East. Peter joined V&E in 2013, after graduating from the University of Houston Law Center. Peter also holds a bachelor’s degree from Tulane University.

McMillan LLP

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Gemma Healy-Murphy is a Senior Associate at McMillan LLP, practicing in litigation and dispute resolution with particular expertise in leasing, construction and product liability disputes. Gemma has successfully appeared at all levels of court in Ontario, including the Ontario Court of Appeal.

Gemma has significant insurance experience and provides advice on all manner of insurance policies, including cyber insurance. Gemma advises on such issues as scope of coverage, priority of policies, and defence and indemnity obligations. Gemma also regularly assists clients in navigating the insurance claim process, including working with experts in the valuation of business interruption losses.

Gemma enjoys connecting with the Irish community in Canada. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Irish Canadian Immigration Centre and has recently established the Canada Ireland Bar Association.

Secretariat

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Zackery Kilgore is a Director at Secretariat based in Atlanta, GA. Mr. Kilgore has over 10 years of experience in the construction industry specializing in the areas of dispute resolution, delay analysis, scheduling, claims, as well as construction and project management. He has provided expert services to owners and contractors across a wide range of projects throughout the world including airports, petrochemical plants, light-rail projects, refineries, water treatment plants, salvage operations, highways, and commercial mixed-use facilities.

Before joining Secretariat, Mr. Kilgore worked as a field engineer internationally on multi-billion dollar projects including petrochemical plants, oil refineries, and transportation infrastructure.

Atrium Leadership

Providence, Rhode Island, USA

John Abbruzzese is a keynote speaker, facilitator, and ICF-certified executive coach with 15 years of experience helping leaders surface deep assumptions that impede their potential so they can leverage personal growth for business impact.  John’s clients include L’Oréal USA, World Economic Forum, BRP, Accenture, Oliver Wyman, Salesforce, Kaiser Permanente, and NASA.  As a professor at Providence College in Providence, RI, John also teaches moral leadership to future leaders interested in dedicating their lives to creating positive social impact. He holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a Ph.D. from Brown University and resides in East Greenwich, RI.

McMillan LLP

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Kailey Sutton is a Partner at McMillan LLP, practicing in construction, infrastructure, municipal and land use planning. She represents the full range of development stakeholders, and her experience includes advising on development projects, by-law and regulatory compliance issues, expropriation proceedings, and Building Code matters, as well as obtaining front-end approvals and permitting, and drafting and negotiating complex agreements. Kailey appears before municipal councils, tribunals and the Ontario Courts. Kailey is a member of the Urban Land Institute’s Program Committee, a member at large on the Ontario Bar Association’s Municipal Law Section Executive, and a frequent author and panelist on development-law-related matters.

McMillan LLP

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Jeremy Rankin is a partner at McMillan LLP and an executive member of McMillan’s National Construction Group. His practice focus on resolving disputes in the construction, infrastructure and real estate industries. Jeremy represents stakeholders at every level of the construction pyramid, including owners, general contractors, subcontractors, engineers and consultants.

Jeremy acts behalf of clients in disputes concerning cost overruns, interference, extras, delays, scope of work changes and other construction impact claims in litigation, adjudication, mediation and arbitration. Jeremy also regularly advises developers regarding disputes with regulatory bodies and purchasers of real property, and assists landlords and tenants resolve commercial leasing disputes

Jeremy has worked with clients to resolve disputes relating to the construction of biomass plants, hydroelectric power stations, transformer stations, universities, medical facilities, hotels, food processing plants, water treatment plants, and large commercial, residential, and condominium developments.

Senior In-house Legal Practitioner

Perth, Australia

Craig’s legal career has spanned some 40 years, evenly split between South Africa and Australia, with extensive experience in engineering and construction, infrastructure, mining, resources, commercial, corporate and insurance in both non-contentious and contentious matters, gained as an independent barrister at the Johannesburg Bar, a solicitor and partner in top-tier law firms and corporate in-house counsel, including General Counsel, in both countries. Craig now periodically undertakes fixed term contract consultancy roles and secondments into corporations in the construction, mining and resources sectors.

Craig’s experience includes both front-end contract preparation, drafting and negotiation, and back-end disputes, arbitration and litigation of claims relating to construction performance, design defects, project management, contract administration, contractual interpretation and insurance issues.

BHP

Perth, Australia

Duncan is now with BHP, in the commercial department servicing various projects on its mine sites in Western Australia. Duncan has worked in commercial roles for the majority of the last 20 years predominantly with contractors in the energy sector (oil & gas, wind & mining) beginning in Scotland with periods in Dubai, Malaysia, Japan and now Australia.

Throughout his roles, Duncan has had to assist in the consideration of commercial matters in order to protect the interests of the company while remaining competitive in numerous countries in the respective regions of Europe, North Africa Middle East and Asia Pacific. Duncan spent 10 years on the Ichthys LNG project, seeing it through from FEED to completion. This period was interrupted in 2015 with time spent in FEED on some proposed LNG projects in Canada.

Australian Lawyer

San Francisco, USA

Merra Kurubalan is an Australian lawyer admitted to practice in both the High Court of Australia and the Supreme Court of Western Australia. She is also admitted in New Zealand. Merra was most recently a resident in Vinson & Elkins LLP’s San Francisco office. She is currently pursuing her goals of becoming a California attorney.  Her principal area of practice has been in complex commercial litigation with a particular focus on international arbitration.

Merra has in-house and firm experience in mega construction and engineering disputes including a JV in a multibillion-dollar arbitration arising from upstream and downstream disputations. Disputations included MDC claims, PCG claims, combined cycle power plant disputes, subcontractors walking off-site, issues of delay, variations, defect rectification, and liquidated damages to mention but a few. She also has experience acting as an arbitral secretary for an ICC tribunal.

Clifford Chance

Perth, Australia

Lydia Low is an Associate at Clifford Chance, a disputes lawyer with a particular focus on construction and oil and gas disputes. She began her legal career as an in-house lawyer for JKC, the main contractor for the Ichthys LNG Project in Darwin and has broad experience representing the company in multiple arbitration proceedings under the ICC Rules. Lydia has also spent time on reverse secondment with an international law firm and assisted them to manage the disputes.