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Gary Born has been ranked for more than 25 years as one of the world’s premier international arbitration advocates. He has led more than 750 arbitrations, including four of the largest ICC cases and several of the most significant ad hoc proceedings in recent years. Clients and competitors from around the world have described him as “awesome”, “inimitable”, “utterly phenomenal”, “stellar”, “spectacular”, “unexcelled”, “emblematic”, “brilliant” and “in a league of his own”, praising him as “easily the most capable disputes lawyers alive today”.

Gary has acted as lead counsel for U.S., Asian, European, Latin American and other companies, as well as financial institutions and sovereign entities, in high-value cross-border disputes under all major institutional arbitration rules and in many national courts worldwide. He is particularly recognized for his oral advocacy in international arbitral proceedings (see highlights of Gary’s advocacy in Government of Sudan v. Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (Abyei arbitration).

Gary is widely regarded as the world's pre-eminent authority on international commercial arbitration and international litigation. He is the author of International Commercial Arbitration (3d ed. 2021), the leading text in the field, an authoritative 5,000-page work that provides the most comprehensive available commentary on all aspects of the international commercial arbitration process. The treatise has been widely cited by national courts and arbitral tribunals, including by Supreme Courts in the U.S., UK, Canada, India, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Qatar, the UAE, the BVI, the DIFC and elsewhere. Gary is also the author of multiple other works on international commercial, investment arbitration and international litigation.

In addition to acting as counsel, Gary has been appointed as arbitrator in more than 275 arbitrations and regularly serves as an expert witness, including on aspects of international law and U.S. private international law in foreign proceedings.

Full Bio

Credentials

J.D., University of Pennsylvania Law School, summa cum laude

B.A., Haverford College, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa

District of Columbia

England and Wales (Registered Foreign Lawyer)

Law Clerk, The Hon. William H. Rehnquist, Supreme Court of the United States

Law Clerk, The Hon. Henry J. Friendly, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

Honorary Professor at Tsinghua University, Beijing

Honorary Professor of Law at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland

Member of the Academic Council of the Institute for Transnational Arbitration

Member of the Advisory Board of African International Legal Awareness

Member of the Advisory Board of the Indian Journal of Arbitration Law

Member of the American Law Institute

Member of the Board of Directors of ArbitrateAD

Member of the Editorial Advisory Board of the Journal of World Investment and Trade

Member of the Global Advisory Board of the New York International Arbitration Center (NYIAC)

Member of the International Advisory Board of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC)

Member of the International Arbitration Committee of the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board (KCAB)

Served as President of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) Court of Arbitration for six years (2012-2019)

Served as co-chair of the ABA International Section, Committee on International Aspects of Litigation

Served on Advisory Committee of the ALI's Restatement of U.S. International Arbitration Law

Served on the Advisory Committee of the ALI Restatement of U.S. Foreign Relation Law (Fourth)

Served on the Board of Trustees of the British Institute for International and Comparative Law

Served on the Executive Council of the American Society of International Law

Taught at Harvard Law School, University of Pennsylvania Law School, Stanford Law School, Georgetown University Law Center, Sciences Po (Paris), Prince Sultan University (Riyadh) and National University of Singapore

Taught at Peking University School of Transnational Law, University of Virginia School of Law, University of Miami School of Law, University College London and the University of Arizona College of Law

Vice President of the American Society of International Law

German

Ranked as a "Star Performer" in international arbitration


Chambers UK, 2006–2026

Ranked as one of only two “Star Individuals”


Chambers Global and Chambers Europe

Named among the "Most in Demand Arbitrators" in international arbitration


Chambers UK, 2008–2026 and Chambers Asia Pacific, 2017-2022

Inducted into The Legal 500 UK Hall of Fame in 2018 for dispute resolution: international arbitration (London), and recognized each year since


The Legal 500 UK, 2018

Highlighted in the 2008–2026 editions of The Legal 500 UK as an "Elite Lawyer" or "Leading Lawyer" in the field of international arbitration and public international law


The Legal 500 UK, 2008-2026

Recognized as a "Thought Leader" in the 2018–2026 editions of Lexology Index: Arbitration, where he is described by sources as “one of the greatest minds in international arbitration”


Lexology Index: Arbitration, 2018–2026

Named annually to the Lawdragon 500 “Global Leading Litigators” list since its inception (2021-2026 editions), which recognizes lawyers who specialize in international arbitration, public international litigation and global controversies


Lawdragon 500, 2021-2026

Named a 2025 Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyer – independently rated and selected by clients


Thomson Reuters, 2025

Honored by Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom as the 2024, 2020, 2014–2017 and 2012 “London International Arbitration Lawyer of the Year” and the 2019 “London Arbitration and Mediation Lawyer of the Year”, and is consistently recognized in the arbitration and mediation, international arbitration and litigation practice areas


Best Lawyers

Awarded the 2018 James Wilson Award by the University of Pennsylvania Law Alumni Society—an award that honors a lifetime of service to the legal profession by a graduate of the law school


University of Pennsylvania Law Alumni Society, 2018

Past winner of Global Arbitration Review’s inaugural “Advocate of the Year” award, Client Choice’s award for “Best International Arbitration Practitioner”, Best Lawyers’ “London Arbitration Lawyer of the Year” award, and Chambers’ “Outstanding Contribution to the Legal Profession”


Global Arbitration Review, Client Choice, Best Lawyers and Chambers

Named the exclusive recipient of the Client Choice Award for Arbitration in the UK


International Law Office (ILO), 2012 and 2014

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Recognition

Ranked as a "Star Performer" in international arbitration


Chambers UK, 2006–2026

Ranked as one of only two “Star Individuals”


Chambers Global and Chambers Europe

Named among the "Most in Demand Arbitrators" in international arbitration


Chambers UK, 2008–2026 and Chambers Asia Pacific, 2017-2022

Inducted into The Legal 500 UK Hall of Fame in 2018 for dispute resolution: international arbitration (London), and recognized each year since


The Legal 500 UK, 2018

Highlighted in the 2008–2026 editions of The Legal 500 UK as an "Elite Lawyer" or "Leading Lawyer" in the field of international arbitration and public international law


The Legal 500 UK, 2008-2026

Recognized as a "Thought Leader" in the 2018–2026 editions of Lexology Index: Arbitration, where he is described by sources as “one of the greatest minds in international arbitration”


Lexology Index: Arbitration, 2018–2026

Named annually to the Lawdragon 500 “Global Leading Litigators” list since its inception (2021-2026 editions), which recognizes lawyers who specialize in international arbitration, public international litigation and global controversies


Lawdragon 500, 2021-2026

Named a 2025 Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyer – independently rated and selected by clients


Thomson Reuters, 2025

Honored by Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom as the 2024, 2020, 2014–2017 and 2012 “London International Arbitration Lawyer of the Year” and the 2019 “London Arbitration and Mediation Lawyer of the Year”, and is consistently recognized in the arbitration and mediation, international arbitration and litigation practice areas


Best Lawyers

Awarded the 2018 James Wilson Award by the University of Pennsylvania Law Alumni Society—an award that honors a lifetime of service to the legal profession by a graduate of the law school


University of Pennsylvania Law Alumni Society, 2018

Past winner of Global Arbitration Review’s inaugural “Advocate of the Year” award, Client Choice’s award for “Best International Arbitration Practitioner”, Best Lawyers’ “London Arbitration Lawyer of the Year” award, and Chambers’ “Outstanding Contribution to the Legal Profession”


Global Arbitration Review, Client Choice, Best Lawyers and Chambers

Named the exclusive recipient of the Client Choice Award for Arbitration in the UK


International Law Office (ILO), 2012 and 2014

Matters

Served as lead counsel and advocate for teams which obtained favorable awards or settlements in a number of international arbitrations, including ICC arbitrations seated in Hong Kong, Singapore, London, São Paulo, Paris and New York.

Served as lead counsel and advocate in a WIPO arbitration seated in Geneva, an ad hoc investment arbitration seated in Singapore, an arbitration seated in Geneva, an ICSID arbitration, and several LCIA arbitrations seated in London.

Represented a major European telecommunications company in several of the largest arbitrations in ICC history.

See more

Close

Matters

Served as lead counsel and advocate for teams which obtained favorable awards or settlements in a number of international arbitrations, including ICC arbitrations seated in Hong Kong, Singapore, London, São Paulo, Paris and New York.

Served as lead counsel and advocate in a WIPO arbitration seated in Geneva, an ad hoc investment arbitration seated in Singapore, an arbitration seated in Geneva, an ICSID arbitration, and several LCIA arbitrations seated in London.

Represented a major European telecommunications company in several of the largest arbitrations in ICC history.

Represented states and corporate parties in disputes involving public international law disputes.

As lead counsel and advocate

Served as lead counsel in WIPO arbitration seated in Geneva.

Served as lead counsel in ad hoc investment arbitration seated in Singapore, an arbitration seated in Geneva, and an ICSID arbitration.

Served as lead counsel in several LCIA arbitrations seated in London.

Represented a leading U.S. private equity firm in an ICC arbitration in São Paulo.

Represented a Chinese insurance company in an ICC arbitration seated in Hong Kong.

Represented a Southeast Asian energy company in multiple ICC and other arbitrations seated in Singapore.

Represented a major US energy company in an LCIA arbitration over offshore oil rights seated in London.

Represented a European company in a fast-track arbitration in Zurich.

Represented a major industrial group in an ad hoc insurance arbitration seated in London.

Represented a leading European oil company in an ICC arbitration seated in London.

Represented a private equity firm in an ICC arbitration seated in Geneva.

Represented a U.S. insurance company in an M&A arbitration seated in Paris.

Represented a major multinational capital equipment manufacturer in institutional and other arbitrations in multiple European fora arising from power plant projects.

Representing states and corporate parties in disputes involving public international law

Represented The Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army in the historic Abyei arbitration (more information on Abyei arbitration).

Represented Eritrea in an ad hoc arbitration against Yemen.

Represented private parties in controversies under various bilateral investment treaties.

Represented major foundation in an ad hoc arbitration against a European state raising novel issues of public international law.

Advising on significant litigation matters

Represented various European entities in the Holocaust Assets and Forced Labor litigations.

Defended a major U.S. petroleum company against efforts to enforce purported foreign judgments in the United States and testimony as an expert witness in a number of proceedings in Swedish, English, U.S., Japanese and other courts.

Matters

Served as lead counsel and advocate for teams which obtained favorable awards or settlements in a number of international arbitrations, including ICC arbitrations seated in Hong Kong, Singapore, London, São Paulo, Paris and New York.

Served as lead counsel and advocate in a WIPO arbitration seated in Geneva, an ad hoc investment arbitration seated in Singapore, an arbitration seated in Geneva, an ICSID arbitration, and several LCIA arbitrations seated in London.

Represented a major European telecommunications company in several of the largest arbitrations in ICC history.

See more

Close

Matters

Served as lead counsel and advocate for teams which obtained favorable awards or settlements in a number of international arbitrations, including ICC arbitrations seated in Hong Kong, Singapore, London, São Paulo, Paris and New York.

Served as lead counsel and advocate in a WIPO arbitration seated in Geneva, an ad hoc investment arbitration seated in Singapore, an arbitration seated in Geneva, an ICSID arbitration, and several LCIA arbitrations seated in London.

Represented a major European telecommunications company in several of the largest arbitrations in ICC history.

Represented states and corporate parties in disputes involving public international law disputes.

As lead counsel and advocate

Served as lead counsel in WIPO arbitration seated in Geneva.

Served as lead counsel in ad hoc investment arbitration seated in Singapore, an arbitration seated in Geneva, and an ICSID arbitration.

Served as lead counsel in several LCIA arbitrations seated in London.

Represented a leading U.S. private equity firm in an ICC arbitration in São Paulo.

Represented a Chinese insurance company in an ICC arbitration seated in Hong Kong.

Represented a Southeast Asian energy company in multiple ICC and other arbitrations seated in Singapore.

Represented a major US energy company in an LCIA arbitration over offshore oil rights seated in London.

Represented a European company in a fast-track arbitration in Zurich.

Represented a major industrial group in an ad hoc insurance arbitration seated in London.

Represented a leading European oil company in an ICC arbitration seated in London.

Represented a private equity firm in an ICC arbitration seated in Geneva.

Represented a U.S. insurance company in an M&A arbitration seated in Paris.

Represented a major multinational capital equipment manufacturer in institutional and other arbitrations in multiple European fora arising from power plant projects.

Representing states and corporate parties in disputes involving public international law

Represented The Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army in the historic Abyei arbitration (more information on Abyei arbitration).

Represented Eritrea in an ad hoc arbitration against Yemen.

Represented private parties in controversies under various bilateral investment treaties.

Represented major foundation in an ad hoc arbitration against a European state raising novel issues of public international law.

Advising on significant litigation matters

Represented various European entities in the Holocaust Assets and Forced Labor litigations.

Defended a major U.S. petroleum company against efforts to enforce purported foreign judgments in the United States and testimony as an expert witness in a number of proceedings in Swedish, English, U.S., Japanese and other courts.

Credentials

J.D., University of Pennsylvania Law School, summa cum laude

B.A., Haverford College, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa

District of Columbia

England and Wales (Registered Foreign Lawyer)

Law Clerk, The Hon. William H. Rehnquist, Supreme Court of the United States

Law Clerk, The Hon. Henry J. Friendly, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

Honorary Professor at Tsinghua University, Beijing

Honorary Professor of Law at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland

Member of the Academic Council of the Institute for Transnational Arbitration

Member of the Advisory Board of African International Legal Awareness

Member of the Advisory Board of the Indian Journal of Arbitration Law

Member of the American Law Institute

Member of the Board of Directors of ArbitrateAD

Member of the Editorial Advisory Board of the Journal of World Investment and Trade

Member of the Global Advisory Board of the New York International Arbitration Center (NYIAC)

Member of the International Advisory Board of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC)

Member of the International Arbitration Committee of the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board (KCAB)

Served as President of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) Court of Arbitration for six years (2012-2019)

Served as co-chair of the ABA International Section, Committee on International Aspects of Litigation

Served on Advisory Committee of the ALI's Restatement of U.S. International Arbitration Law

Served on the Advisory Committee of the ALI Restatement of U.S. Foreign Relation Law (Fourth)

Served on the Board of Trustees of the British Institute for International and Comparative Law

Served on the Executive Council of the American Society of International Law

Taught at Harvard Law School, University of Pennsylvania Law School, Stanford Law School, Georgetown University Law Center, Sciences Po (Paris), Prince Sultan University (Riyadh) and National University of Singapore

Taught at Peking University School of Transnational Law, University of Virginia School of Law, University of Miami School of Law, University College London and the University of Arizona College of Law

Vice President of the American Society of International Law

German

Ranked as a "Star Performer" in international arbitration


Chambers UK, 2006–2026

Ranked as one of only two “Star Individuals”


Chambers Global and Chambers Europe

Named among the "Most in Demand Arbitrators" in international arbitration


Chambers UK, 2008–2026 and Chambers Asia Pacific, 2017-2022

Inducted into The Legal 500 UK Hall of Fame in 2018 for dispute resolution: international arbitration (London), and recognized each year since


The Legal 500 UK, 2018

Highlighted in the 2008–2026 editions of The Legal 500 UK as an "Elite Lawyer" or "Leading Lawyer" in the field of international arbitration and public international law


The Legal 500 UK, 2008-2026

Recognized as a "Thought Leader" in the 2018–2026 editions of Lexology Index: Arbitration, where he is described by sources as “one of the greatest minds in international arbitration”


Lexology Index: Arbitration, 2018–2026

Named annually to the Lawdragon 500 “Global Leading Litigators” list since its inception (2021-2026 editions), which recognizes lawyers who specialize in international arbitration, public international litigation and global controversies


Lawdragon 500, 2021-2026

Named a 2025 Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyer – independently rated and selected by clients


Thomson Reuters, 2025

Honored by Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom as the 2024, 2020, 2014–2017 and 2012 “London International Arbitration Lawyer of the Year” and the 2019 “London Arbitration and Mediation Lawyer of the Year”, and is consistently recognized in the arbitration and mediation, international arbitration and litigation practice areas


Best Lawyers

Awarded the 2018 James Wilson Award by the University of Pennsylvania Law Alumni Society—an award that honors a lifetime of service to the legal profession by a graduate of the law school


University of Pennsylvania Law Alumni Society, 2018

Past winner of Global Arbitration Review’s inaugural “Advocate of the Year” award, Client Choice’s award for “Best International Arbitration Practitioner”, Best Lawyers’ “London Arbitration Lawyer of the Year” award, and Chambers’ “Outstanding Contribution to the Legal Profession”


Global Arbitration Review, Client Choice, Best Lawyers and Chambers

Named the exclusive recipient of the Client Choice Award for Arbitration in the UK


International Law Office (ILO), 2012 and 2014

Close

Recognition

Ranked as a "Star Performer" in international arbitration


Chambers UK, 2006–2026

Ranked as one of only two “Star Individuals”


Chambers Global and Chambers Europe

Named among the "Most in Demand Arbitrators" in international arbitration


Chambers UK, 2008–2026 and Chambers Asia Pacific, 2017-2022

Inducted into The Legal 500 UK Hall of Fame in 2018 for dispute resolution: international arbitration (London), and recognized each year since


The Legal 500 UK, 2018

Highlighted in the 2008–2026 editions of The Legal 500 UK as an "Elite Lawyer" or "Leading Lawyer" in the field of international arbitration and public international law


The Legal 500 UK, 2008-2026

Recognized as a "Thought Leader" in the 2018–2026 editions of Lexology Index: Arbitration, where he is described by sources as “one of the greatest minds in international arbitration”


Lexology Index: Arbitration, 2018–2026

Named annually to the Lawdragon 500 “Global Leading Litigators” list since its inception (2021-2026 editions), which recognizes lawyers who specialize in international arbitration, public international litigation and global controversies


Lawdragon 500, 2021-2026

Named a 2025 Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyer – independently rated and selected by clients


Thomson Reuters, 2025

Honored by Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom as the 2024, 2020, 2014–2017 and 2012 “London International Arbitration Lawyer of the Year” and the 2019 “London Arbitration and Mediation Lawyer of the Year”, and is consistently recognized in the arbitration and mediation, international arbitration and litigation practice areas


Best Lawyers

Awarded the 2018 James Wilson Award by the University of Pennsylvania Law Alumni Society—an award that honors a lifetime of service to the legal profession by a graduate of the law school


University of Pennsylvania Law Alumni Society, 2018

Past winner of Global Arbitration Review’s inaugural “Advocate of the Year” award, Client Choice’s award for “Best International Arbitration Practitioner”, Best Lawyers’ “London Arbitration Lawyer of the Year” award, and Chambers’ “Outstanding Contribution to the Legal Profession”


Global Arbitration Review, Client Choice, Best Lawyers and Chambers

Named the exclusive recipient of the Client Choice Award for Arbitration in the UK


International Law Office (ILO), 2012 and 2014