Alexander is a partner in the Paris office of Hughes Hubbard and a member of the firm’s International Arbitration practice, representing companies and states in high-stakes international projects and disputes.
With more than 15 years of international experience, Alexander provides strategic advice and advocacy in commercial, investor-state and maritime arbitrations carried out under the auspices of a variety of institutional and ad hoc rules, including those of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC) and the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA). He has significant experience resolving technically and legally complex disputes in the energy and construction sectors in particular.
Alexander represents employers, contractors and subcontractors in high-profile construction projects across the globe, including in the renewable energy, nuclear, oil & gas, infrastructure and shipbuilding sectors. He has extensive experience with standard form construction contracts, including by the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC), New Engineering Contract (NEC) and Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT). Alexander also provides strategic advice to clients to help them navigate the complexities of construction projects and minimize litigation risk.
In the energy sector, Alexander advises clients on matters related to the supply and transport of natural gas and Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). He has represented buyers and sellers in disputes arising from long-term supply contracts, including issues involving take-or-pay terms and price reviews. Additionally, Alexander assists energy companies in managing risk with respect to new and existing contracts, offering experience in intelligent negotiation, drafting and contract management.
Alexander has earned widespread acclaim from leading legal directories, including as a Future Leader by Who’s Who Legal Arbitration (now Lexology’s Arbitration Index) and as a Rising Star in commercial arbitration by Euromoney’s LMG Rising Stars expert guide. Best Lawyers recognized him as a Lawyer of the Year in 2023 and has included him among the Best Lawyers in France since 2020. Clients and peers praise his “great strategic mind” and his ability to “master the art of simplifying complex facts.”
Alexander is deeply committed to his pro bono work. He leads the Human Rights at Sea Arbitration initiative, which seeks to develop a new system for the arbitration of complaints concerning human rights abuses in the maritime space. He has also assisted the Office of the Prosecutor at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (UNICTR) in Arusha, Tanzania.
In addition to his work as counsel, Alexander sits as arbitrator. He also teaches international arbitration at Panthéon-Assas University (Paris II) and Sciences Po Paris.
Highlighted Publications
“Terminating or Renegotiating Shipbuilding Agreements Checklist,” Thomson Reuters Practical Law, February 2022 (with D. Katsikis).
“A new initiative for the arbitration of human rights abuses at sea,” International Bar Association Arbitration Committee Newsletter, June 2021 (with E. Edson).
“Revisiting the risk of undesired appeal in investment treaty arbitration: is deference to the tribunal’s award still less likely in the ICSID context?,” Arbitration International, April 2021.
“High Court Upholds Tribunal’s Dismissal of Claim on Grounds Not Specifically Advanced by Either Party,” 2018(3) ICC Disp. Res. Bull. 31.
“Planning for the Worst to Manage the Best: a Proactive Approach to Managing Construction Disputes,” MDA No. 101, at 8, 2015 (with A. Bevan).
“Flags of Terror: An Argument for Rethinking Maritime Security Policy Regarding Flags Convenience,” 32 Tul. Mar. L.J., 2007.
“Ferrostaal v. M/V Sea Phoenix: The Third Circuit’s Sinking of the Fair Opportunity Doctrine,” 31 Tul. Mar. L.J. 679, 2007.
Highlighted Speaking Engagements
“Climate Change, War and Sanctions: A Perfect Storm for Energy Disputes,” 4th Energy Law Forum, Athens, Greece, 27 November 2024.
“Panel Discussion: Business and Human Rights Arbitration,” 5th ICC European Conference on International Arbitration, 28 June 2021.
“Confronting the Human Rights Crisis in Fisheries: How Arbitration Can Improve Fishers’ Access to Justice,” UN World Oceans Day Webinar, 8 June 2021.
Roundtable, “Handling the Hot Potato: Issues of Corruption in International Arbitration,” 14th ICC New York Conference on International Arbitration, 4 October 2019.
“Addressing Risk in Long-Term Investment Contracts in the Energy Sector,” 4th Athens Conference on European Energy Law, 27 September 2019.
“Construction Arbitration in the East Mediterranean,” Keynote Address, YPCP Conference, Paris, 17 April 2019.
“Η Διαχείριση Εξαιρετικά Περίπλοκων και Τεχνικών Διαφορών” [Handling Especially Complex and Technical Disputes], Conference on Current Issues in Domestic (Greek) and International Arbitration, Thessaloniki, Greece, 25 January 2019.
“The Review and Reviewability of Non-ICSID Investment Arbitration Awards by State Courts,” Sharm El Sheikh VII Conference, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, 9-10 December 2018.
“The Role of Gas Price Review in Addressing Structural Changes,” 2nd East Mediterranean Energy Law Forum, Athens, Greece, 30 November 2018.
“Examining the Effectiveness of Institutional Arbitration Where the Need (or Desire) to Consolidate Related Maritime Disputes Arises,” ICC Dispute Resolution Seminar held at Posidonia in Athens, Greece, 7 June 2018.
“International Arbitration: An Unavoidable Yet Advantageous Dispute Resolution System,” 1st Greek Law Digest Conference on Legal and Business Challenges in Today’s Greece, 3 February 2017.
Professional Activities
Lecturer (Int’l Investor/State Arbitration), Panthéon-Assas University (Paris II), M2 diploma, France (since 2014)
Lecturer (Written and oral advocacy in international arbitration), Sciences Po, M2 diploma, France (2015-2016, 2021)
