I am an independent, culturally competent arbitrator and mediator based in the San Francisco Bay Area. I have served as arbitrator and have been counsel in both common law and civil law jurisdictions under numerous institutional rules and ad hoc. In addition to practicing law in the United States, I have significant experience in the Middle East and Europe. I speak English, Arabic, German and Spanish.
“In order to render a fair award to resolve the parties’ dispute, I provide all parties an unbiased, impartial ear, efficient case management, and allow each side to fully present their case.”
Experienced Independent Arbitrator
I serve as tribunal chair, sole arbitrator, emergency arbitrator and by party-appointment under the rules of various arbitral institutions as well as ad hoc. In June 2023, I was empaneled by the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR). In October 2020, I joined the commercial arbitration panel of the American Arbitration Association (AAA). I was named to the roster of arbitrators of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) in February 2020 to arbitrate securities-related disputes. I am an appointed panel member of the GCC Commercial Arbitration Centre (Manama and Riyadh) since May 2012.
I have served as an arbitrator in numerous arbitrations administered by the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) and the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR). In addition, I arbitrate consumer disputes under the AAA Consumer Arbitration Rules. I have a broad range of experience in complex commercial disputes, distribution, franchise, and sale of goods, as well as in investments, securities, commercial leasing, real estate, construction, intellectual property, data privacy, marketing and advertising, logistics, transport, corporate governance, family business, startup, and employment matters.
With over two decades of legal experience across three continents, including as arbitrator, arbitration counsel in numerous complex commercial matters, general counsel, and acting deputy registrar with a supervisory court over arbitral proceedings, I understand the arbitration process from all vantage points. I have also gained expertise regarding the enforceability of arbitration agreements and arbitral awards under the New York Convention, gained in particular during my tenure as Acting Deputy Registrar of the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts and as a private practice practitioner with first law firm to successfully enforce an international arbitration award under the New York Convention in the United Arab Emirates courts.
I obtained a Juris Doctor from the University of Richmond School of Law where I was an Associate Editor of The Richmond Law Review. I hold a Master’s Degree in Modern Middle Eastern & North African Studies from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor’s Degree summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a double major in Political Science and Spanish from the University of Kentucky.
I am admitted to the bar in New York (2001) and Virginia (2002). My languages are English, Arabic, German and Spanish.
