Justin Williams, Partner, International Arbitration & Litigation

Justin Williams

Partner

Areas of Focus

Justin Williams, Partner, International Arbitration & Litigation

Justin Williams

Partner

williamsj@akingump.com

Areas of Focus

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Biography
  • Has acted in complex, high value international arbitrations under all the major arbitral rules and in centers of arbitration all over the world.
  • Wide-ranging experience in complex, high value cross-border litigation and energy disputes.

Justin is an English qualified solicitor with 30 years’ experience of handling complex international disputes, both in international arbitration and before the English High Court. He heads Akin’s international arbitration practice, and he has particular focus on energy, tech, asset management and foreign direct investment.

Justin is recognized by Legal 500 UK as “one of the best international arbitration partners on either side of the Atlantic; he is brainy, thoughtful, persuasive and transparently straightforward – a real star” and by Chambers UK for his “vast experience in handling complicated cases and an ability to focus on the real issues.” He has acted in numerous complex and high-value international arbitrations in Latin America, North America, the Caribbean, Europe, CIS countries, sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Asia. His practice includes both commercial and treaty arbitration.

In addition, Justin has acted in some of the largest and most complex litigation cases in England and (together with local counsel) in off-shore jurisdictions and other jurisdictions, including Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, the Caribbean and the Indian subcontinent.

Justin has been recommended for many years in major legal directory rankings in the United Kingdom and globally. Clients are quoted as follows:

  • “[He] is extremely experienced and confident, able to remain calm under pressure and has a very good rapport with clients.”
  • “A highly experienced and knowledgeable litigator who is adept at managing difficult cases.”
  • “Clearly very experienced in dealing with heavy commercial disputes.”
  • “He’s very personable and gives clear advice. He’s a highly-competent and experienced litigator.”
  • “A first-rate partner with an excellent, strategic mind—he also has very good knowledge of the detailed issues and is always on top of the latest developments in cases.”
  • “…Is very commercially-minded, he is a good strategist and he is very sensible.”
  • “Understands the international arbitration circuit.”
  • “Handles contentious work across a wide range of international energy issues. His expertise includes both traditional and renewable sources of energy, including nuclear power and LNG. He has extensive experience of litigation and arbitration.”
  • “Experienced in a wide range of international arbitrations and litigation arising from commercial transactions and treaties.”
Representative Work
  • Acted for an oil company in bringing a US$1.2 billion LCIA arbitration relating to the sale of production assets. The case was successfully settled shortly after the commencement of proceedings.
  • Obtained a groundbreaking International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes award on behalf of an international tire manufacturer in which it was found for the first time that trademark licenses may comprise an “investment” and so found arbitral jurisdiction.
  • In a US$1 billion dispute regarding ownership of Russia’s largest power company, defeated two separate appeals to the British Virgin Islands Court of Appeal.
  • Obtained a worldwide freezing injunction from the English Court on behalf of an oil and gas company in order to prevent the defendants in a US$300 million fraud claim from dissipating their assets.

"Justin's technical skills and knowledge are excellent. His advice is always practical and pragmatic. Justin also helps contextualise his advice, with a view to a wider arbitration strategy."

Chambers UK, 2023

Education
  • B.A., University of Bristol, 1988

Bar Admissions
  • Solicitor, England and Wales

Recognitions
  • Chambers Global, Dispute Resolution, Expertise Based Abroad, Russia, 2017-2019, 2022.
  • Chambers UK, Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes 2009-2025; International Arbitration, 2020-2025.
  • The Legal 500 UK, Leading Partner: International Arbitration, 2025; Leading Partner: Oil and Gas, 2023-2025; Commercial Litigation: Premium 2022-2024.
  • The Legal 500 EMEA, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration & Mediation, 2018.
  • Best Lawyers UK, Litigation.
Speeches and Publications
  • Panelist, “GAR Live: Energy Disputes Conference,” GAR, July 6, 2023.
  • Panelist, “GAR Live: Energy Disputes Conference,” GAR, September 22, 2022.
  • Panelist, “International Arbitration in the New World Order - How Should Users Respond?,” Akin Webinar, June 21, 2022.
  • Panelist, “The present state of the Arbitration Act in England and Wales,” LexisNexis Webinar, March 22, 2022.
  • Panelist, “Energy Infrastructure: Impact of Trade Policy, Mid-Term Elections and Oil Prices,” Houston, October 3, 2018.
  • Panelist, “Arbitration Clauses: Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them,” Akin Annual New York Private Investment Funds Conference, New York, September 27, 2018.
  • Panelist, “International Sanctions and Anti-Bribery Laws,” Moscow, March 1, 2018.
  • Panelist, “The Impact of Economic Nationalism on International Trade, Investment and M&A,” Geneva, November 9, 2017.
  • Panelist, “The Impact of Economic Nationalism on International Trade, Investment and M&A,” London, November 2017.

Insights and Achievements

    Publications | Alerts

    November 25, 2024

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          Publications | Alerts

          November 25, 2024

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