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Javier Rubinstein regularly handles high-profile international commercial and investment arbitrations, representing clients from North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia in complex disputes before such institutions as the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, the ICC International Court of Arbitration, the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce and the Court of Arbitration for Sport, as well as ad hoc arbitrations under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules. He regularly participates in international arbitration proceedings both as counsel and as arbitrator.

www.arbitrationclub.org/members/javier-h-rubinstein

Javier was previously Vice Chairman and Global General Counsel of the PricewaterhouseCoopers network of firms spanning 157 countries. As Global General Counsel of PwC, Javier was involved in a wide variety of commercial, regulatory and other disputes all over the world, enhancing his ability to bring a client-focused perspective aimed at solving clients’ problems. A native of Argentina raised in the U.S. and trained as a U.S. trial lawyer, Javier regularly handles arbitration and litigation matters in both English and Spanish.

Javier is a Fellow of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He is ranked by Chambers USA as one of the top international arbitration lawyers in the U.S., noting that he “understands the business perspective of an issue” and “is particularly well placed to act for investors in treaty matters.” He also has been cited by Chambers for his “marvelous ability to translate the client’s position into the language of international arbitration,” “a very sophisticated cross-examiner” equally “effective with the written word,” and that “being fluent in Spanish accentuates the decidedly international edge to Rubinstein’s practice, whereby he has acted for U.S., Latin American, European and Asian clients.”

Since 1996, Javier serves as a Lecturer in Law at the University of Chicago Law School, teaching  international commercial and investment treaty arbitration.

Full Bio

Credentials

J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, cum laude

M.P.P., Harvard University

B.A., University of Michigan, high honors

Illinois

New York

Advisory Council, International Centre for Dispute Resolution, 2015–present

Ambassador, ICC International Court of Arbitration’s Commission, Belt and Road Initiative

Board of Directors, American Arbitration Association, 2012–2016

Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, 2016–present

Instructor, Columbia University Center on Sustainable Investment, 2017-2019

Lecturer in Law, University of Chicago Law School, 1996–present

Member, Advisory Board, Institute for Transnational Arbitration

Member, CPR Panel of Distinguished Neutrals

Member, ICC and ICDR Panels of Arbitrators

Member, International Arbitration Club of New York

Member, International Arbitration Editorial Advisory Board

Member, The International Arbitration Club of New York

Spanish

Named a Benchmark Litigation Star in 2022


Benchmark Litigation

Ranked as one of the top International Arbitration lawyers globally since 2006


Chambers Global

Named in Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration in 2021, 2022


Who's Who Legal

Named in The Best Lawyers in America since 2006 for International Arbitration (Commercial & Governmental)


Best Lawyers

Ranked as one of top International Arbitration lawyers in the U.S. since 2006


Chambers USA

Named one of the “World’s Leading Experts in Commercial Arbitration”


Euromoney Magazine

Named a leading practitioner in 2021, 2022 - The Legal 500 Latin America


International Arbitration

Named Chicago Lawyer of the Year in America 2021 for International Arbitration


Best Lawyers

Named to 2021 Midwest Trailblazers list


The American Lawyer

Named a 2018 ADR Champion


National Law Journal

Close

Recognition

Named a Benchmark Litigation Star in 2022


Benchmark Litigation

Ranked as one of the top International Arbitration lawyers globally since 2006


Chambers Global

Named in Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration in 2021, 2022


Who's Who Legal

Named in The Best Lawyers in America since 2006 for International Arbitration (Commercial & Governmental)


Best Lawyers

Ranked as one of top International Arbitration lawyers in the U.S. since 2006


Chambers USA

Named one of the “World’s Leading Experts in Commercial Arbitration”


Euromoney Magazine

Named a leading practitioner in 2021, 2022 - The Legal 500 Latin America


International Arbitration

Named Chicago Lawyer of the Year in America 2021 for International Arbitration


Best Lawyers

Named to 2021 Midwest Trailblazers list


The American Lawyer

Named a 2018 ADR Champion


National Law Journal

Matters

Representation of US mining company in investment treaty arbitration against Canada

Representation of UK insurance brokerage company in ICC arbitration in Brazil involving an M&A dispute arising from the acquisition of a Brazilian health benefits business

Representation of Australian manufacturer in ICC arbitration involving a German distributor

See more

Close

Matters

Representation of US mining company in investment treaty arbitration against Canada

Representation of UK insurance brokerage company in ICC arbitration in Brazil involving an M&A dispute arising from the acquisition of a Brazilian health benefits business

Representation of Australian manufacturer in ICC arbitration involving a German distributor

Representation of energy company in connection with ICDR arbitration seeking termination of long-term gas supply contract

Representation of U.S. biotech company in ICDR arbitration alleging breach of contract against Brazilian manufacturer

Representation of consortium of U.S. investors against German pharma company in ICC arbitration alleging breach of contract in connection with large M&A transaction

Successful representations of top world-ranked men and women tennis players in doping-related arbitrations brought pursuant to the ATP and WTA Rules, and successful appeal of first-ever sanction imposed on a professional tennis player at a Grand Slam tournament for failure to perform at a “professional standard”

Representation of US petrochemical manufacturer in ICC arbitration against Kuwaiti joint venture company

Cargill, Inc. v. United Mexican States (representation of Claimant in ICSID arbitration against Mexico arising from adoption of a tax on beverages containing high fructose corn syrup, alleging breach of NAFTA obligations, including FET, national treatment and denial of justice, resulting in award of $77 million)

USATF/IAAF Arbitration (representation of U.S. Track and Field federation in arbitration against international track and field federation before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, enabling the USA to retain its 2000 Gold Medal in the men’s 4x100 track relay)

Credit card royalty Arbitration (successful representation of major U.S. credit card issuer in ICC arbitration involving royalty dispute between the issuer and its franchisee in Israel)

U.S./European Futures Exchange Arbitration (successful representation of the largest U.S. futures exchange in an ICC arbitration against the largest European futures exchange that successfully obtained access to source code for futures trading platform)

Peruvian M&A Arbitration (successful representation of U.S. telecoms company in UNCITRAL arbitration seeking indemnity against seller of Peruvian corporation for undisclosed liabilities)

Venezuelan Telecoms Arbitration (successful representation of U.S. telecoms provider in ICC arbitration against Venezuelan long distance carrier relating to interconnection dispute)

Brazil/China Sale of Goods Arbitration (successful representation of Brazilian steel manufacturer in ICC arbitration against Singaporean purchaser arising from dispute over sale of goods)

Colombian Franchise Arbitration (successful representation of U.S. credit card franchisor in connection with ICC arbitration against Colombian franchisee for breach of franchise agreement)

German/Swedish Joint Venture Arbitration (successful defense of major German IT company in $100 million arbitration before ICC Court of International Arbitration brought by Swedish automotive/aerospace company arising from joint venture dispute, resulting in defense award and awarding of full costs)

German IT Arbitration (successful representation of major German bank in connection with UNCITRAL Rules arbitration arising from joint venture dispute)

French Sale of Business Arbitration (successful representation of Dutch seller of French company in ICC arbitration against French buyer involving various post-closing disputes arising from environmental liabilities)

Kyrgyz Hotel Joint Venture Arbitration (successful representation of major U.S. hotel chain in ICC arbitration arising out of joint venture dispute involving construction of luxury hotel in Kyrgyz Republic)

Greek Casino Arbitration (successful representation of major U.S. gaming vendor in parallel ICC/LCIA arbitrations arising from joint venture dispute involving construction and operation of casino in Greece)

Insights

Article · Source: Tax Notes International

February 20, 2024
Using Investment Treaties to Prevent Pillar 2’s Revocation of Promised Tax Incentives

Article · Source: Mealy's International Arbitration Report

November 24, 2021
Addressing The Key Challenges Facing International Arbitration After The COVID-19 Pandemic

View all

Matters

Representation of US mining company in investment treaty arbitration against Canada

Representation of UK insurance brokerage company in ICC arbitration in Brazil involving an M&A dispute arising from the acquisition of a Brazilian health benefits business

Representation of Australian manufacturer in ICC arbitration involving a German distributor

See more

Close

Matters

Representation of US mining company in investment treaty arbitration against Canada

Representation of UK insurance brokerage company in ICC arbitration in Brazil involving an M&A dispute arising from the acquisition of a Brazilian health benefits business

Representation of Australian manufacturer in ICC arbitration involving a German distributor

Representation of energy company in connection with ICDR arbitration seeking termination of long-term gas supply contract

Representation of U.S. biotech company in ICDR arbitration alleging breach of contract against Brazilian manufacturer

Representation of consortium of U.S. investors against German pharma company in ICC arbitration alleging breach of contract in connection with large M&A transaction

Successful representations of top world-ranked men and women tennis players in doping-related arbitrations brought pursuant to the ATP and WTA Rules, and successful appeal of first-ever sanction imposed on a professional tennis player at a Grand Slam tournament for failure to perform at a “professional standard”

Representation of US petrochemical manufacturer in ICC arbitration against Kuwaiti joint venture company

Cargill, Inc. v. United Mexican States (representation of Claimant in ICSID arbitration against Mexico arising from adoption of a tax on beverages containing high fructose corn syrup, alleging breach of NAFTA obligations, including FET, national treatment and denial of justice, resulting in award of $77 million)

USATF/IAAF Arbitration (representation of U.S. Track and Field federation in arbitration against international track and field federation before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, enabling the USA to retain its 2000 Gold Medal in the men’s 4x100 track relay)

Credit card royalty Arbitration (successful representation of major U.S. credit card issuer in ICC arbitration involving royalty dispute between the issuer and its franchisee in Israel)

U.S./European Futures Exchange Arbitration (successful representation of the largest U.S. futures exchange in an ICC arbitration against the largest European futures exchange that successfully obtained access to source code for futures trading platform)

Peruvian M&A Arbitration (successful representation of U.S. telecoms company in UNCITRAL arbitration seeking indemnity against seller of Peruvian corporation for undisclosed liabilities)

Venezuelan Telecoms Arbitration (successful representation of U.S. telecoms provider in ICC arbitration against Venezuelan long distance carrier relating to interconnection dispute)

Brazil/China Sale of Goods Arbitration (successful representation of Brazilian steel manufacturer in ICC arbitration against Singaporean purchaser arising from dispute over sale of goods)

Colombian Franchise Arbitration (successful representation of U.S. credit card franchisor in connection with ICC arbitration against Colombian franchisee for breach of franchise agreement)

German/Swedish Joint Venture Arbitration (successful defense of major German IT company in $100 million arbitration before ICC Court of International Arbitration brought by Swedish automotive/aerospace company arising from joint venture dispute, resulting in defense award and awarding of full costs)

German IT Arbitration (successful representation of major German bank in connection with UNCITRAL Rules arbitration arising from joint venture dispute)

French Sale of Business Arbitration (successful representation of Dutch seller of French company in ICC arbitration against French buyer involving various post-closing disputes arising from environmental liabilities)

Kyrgyz Hotel Joint Venture Arbitration (successful representation of major U.S. hotel chain in ICC arbitration arising out of joint venture dispute involving construction of luxury hotel in Kyrgyz Republic)

Greek Casino Arbitration (successful representation of major U.S. gaming vendor in parallel ICC/LCIA arbitrations arising from joint venture dispute involving construction and operation of casino in Greece)

Insights

Article · Source: Tax Notes International

February 20, 2024
Using Investment Treaties to Prevent Pillar 2’s Revocation of Promised Tax Incentives

Article · Source: Mealy's International Arbitration Report

November 24, 2021
Addressing The Key Challenges Facing International Arbitration After The COVID-19 Pandemic

View all

Credentials

J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, cum laude

M.P.P., Harvard University

B.A., University of Michigan, high honors

Illinois

New York

Advisory Council, International Centre for Dispute Resolution, 2015–present

Ambassador, ICC International Court of Arbitration’s Commission, Belt and Road Initiative

Board of Directors, American Arbitration Association, 2012–2016

Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, 2016–present

Instructor, Columbia University Center on Sustainable Investment, 2017-2019

Lecturer in Law, University of Chicago Law School, 1996–present

Member, Advisory Board, Institute for Transnational Arbitration

Member, CPR Panel of Distinguished Neutrals

Member, ICC and ICDR Panels of Arbitrators

Member, International Arbitration Club of New York

Member, International Arbitration Editorial Advisory Board

Member, The International Arbitration Club of New York

Spanish

Named a Benchmark Litigation Star in 2022


Benchmark Litigation

Ranked as one of the top International Arbitration lawyers globally since 2006


Chambers Global

Named in Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration in 2021, 2022


Who's Who Legal

Named in The Best Lawyers in America since 2006 for International Arbitration (Commercial & Governmental)


Best Lawyers

Ranked as one of top International Arbitration lawyers in the U.S. since 2006


Chambers USA

Named one of the “World’s Leading Experts in Commercial Arbitration”


Euromoney Magazine

Named a leading practitioner in 2021, 2022 - The Legal 500 Latin America


International Arbitration

Named Chicago Lawyer of the Year in America 2021 for International Arbitration


Best Lawyers

Named to 2021 Midwest Trailblazers list


The American Lawyer

Named a 2018 ADR Champion


National Law Journal

Close

Recognition

Named a Benchmark Litigation Star in 2022


Benchmark Litigation

Ranked as one of the top International Arbitration lawyers globally since 2006


Chambers Global

Named in Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration in 2021, 2022


Who's Who Legal

Named in The Best Lawyers in America since 2006 for International Arbitration (Commercial & Governmental)


Best Lawyers

Ranked as one of top International Arbitration lawyers in the U.S. since 2006


Chambers USA

Named one of the “World’s Leading Experts in Commercial Arbitration”


Euromoney Magazine

Named a leading practitioner in 2021, 2022 - The Legal 500 Latin America


International Arbitration

Named Chicago Lawyer of the Year in America 2021 for International Arbitration


Best Lawyers

Named to 2021 Midwest Trailblazers list


The American Lawyer

Named a 2018 ADR Champion


National Law Journal