Pinna Legal
Law firm
Pinna Legal is a law firm established in 2022
focusing on international litigation and arbitration
About Us
Andrea Pinna
Andrea’s practice primarily focuses on international commercial and investment arbitration. He has participated as counsel in more than 50 arbitration proceedings in several different areas, including arising out of M&A transactions, joint-venture agreements, oil and gas, mining, military and satellites.
Andrea has extensive experience in representing Sovereign States in international arbitration proceedings and before domestic Courts, including arguing sovereign immunities.
He appears frequently before French Courts handling disputes related to arbitration such as set aside applications or enforcement of arbitral awards.
Andrea’s practice also concentrates on international litigation and the management and coordination of multijurisdictional parallel proceedings, often related to arbitration.
e-mail: apinna@pinna-legal.com
David P. Riesenberg
David is the founding partner of Pinna Legal’s practice in Washington, D.C.
In arbitrations, David has acted before ICSID and UNCITRAL tribunals, as well as the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. In 2022, he was recognized by International Financial Law Review as a Rising Star in Commercial Arbitration.
David has litigated international disputes before U.S. trial and appellate courts. With local counsel, he has advised clients regarding transnational disputes before the courts of Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Singapore, and Switzerland.
David has been appointed to mediate commercial disputes and is accredited as mediator by the Supreme Court of Virginia. He has authored or co-authored commentaries published by Oxford University Press, Brill, Kluwer, Thomson Reuters, and the American Society of International Law. He has taught international arbitration as Adjunct Professor for University of Miami and made presentations for ICC-YAF and ICCA.
David worked as law clerk to Judge W. Eugene Davis of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and Judge Kathleen Cardone of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. He speaks English (native), Russian (fluent), and Spanish (intermediate).
e-mail: driesenberg@pinna-legal.com
Pratyush Panjwani
Pratyush is Counsel in Pinna Legal’s Paris office.
His practice focuses on international commercial and investment arbitrations. He has acted as counsel in several arbitrations as well as in related annulment and enforcement proceedings. Particularly, he has expertise in advising and representing sovereign States in such cases. Prior to joining Pinna Legal, Pratyush worked with Prof. Albert Jan van den Berg, having assisted him as tribunal secretary in arbitrations spanning various sectors.
Pratyush has frequently published in journals of repute on issues relating to commercial arbitration (such as the arbitrability of disputes and the adaptive understanding of arbitral consent) as well as investment arbitration (such as the interpretation of bilateral investment treaties under the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties and the viability of investor-State mediation). He also regularly lectures at the National Law University, Delhi (India) and the School of Law at the Erasmus University, Rotterdam (The Netherlands), having taught courses on international law and arbitration.
Pratyush obtained an LL.M. from the Geneva LL.M. in International Dispute Settlement (MIDS) in 2016. He is qualified to practice in India with effect from 2014.
e-mail: ppanjwani@pinna-legal.com
Raphaelle Haïk
Raphaelle’s main practice is dispute resolution.
She is considered one of the leading French experts in procedural law, including enforcement law and arbitration, which are fields of the law that Raphaelle has been teaching for more than 15 years, to French and foreign lawyers.
Raphaelle collaborates on a regular basis with a major legal publishing company concerning these topics.
Raphaelle has obtained a Ph.D. from the University of Paris XI (Sceaux – Paris Sud) in 2008 and she is member of the Paris Bar.
e-mail: rhaik@pinna-legal.com
Gabriele Mecarelli
Gabriele’s main practice is international business litigation and enforcement.
He is associate professor at the University Paris-Saclay (Paris XI) where he co-directs the Master diploma in international business law (Master 2 droit des affaires internationales).
During the past 15 years, Gabriele has acquired a unique expertise in enforcement of arbitral awards and judicial decisions in France and internationally and has been director of the legal department of the National Chamber of the French Bailiffs (huissiers de justice).
Gabriele has a law degree from the University of Paris II (Panthéon-Assas) and Bologna (Italy) and obtained a Ph.D. from the University of Paris II (Panthéon-Assas) under the supervision of Philippe Fouchard.
Since 2003, he has been the editor of the « Revue pratique du recouvrement » (EJT/Lefebvre Dalloz), formerly known as « Droit et procédures – la revue des huissiers de justice » (until 2020)
Gabriele speaks English, French, and Italian.
e-mail: gmecarelli@pinna-legal.com
Olga Cucu
Olga’s main practice is public international law and international arbitration.
She achieved a Master in international law at the University Paris 2 (Pathéon-Assas), a diploma from the prestigious Institute of Higher International Studies (Institut de Hautes Etudes Internationales – IHEI) in Paris and followed the course of The Hague Academy of International Law.
Before joining Pinna Legal, Olga had experience as intern in major international law firms and worked for the agency of the Moldavian government in charge of the representation and the defense of the State before the European Court of Human Rights.
Olga fluently speaks English, French, Russian and Romanian, has working knowledge in Italian and she is member of the Paris Bar.
e-mail: ocucu@pinna-legal.com
Aleksandra Fedosova
Aleksandra’s main practice is international arbitration and peri-arbitral litigation.
Before joining Pinna Legal, Aleksandra practiced in the fields of international arbitration and litigation in several law firms in Paris. She has been involved in complex international matters across different jurisdictions and in various industries, including the energy, sales and service contracts, distribution and license agreements, pharmaceuticals and corporate sectors. In addition, she has developed a strong practice in peri-arbitral litigation and more particularly in proceedings for the annulment and enforcement of awards before French courts. Aleksandra also has experience as secretary of arbitral tribunals.
Aleksandra holds a degree from the University Paris Saclay where she obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in International Business Law. She also studied at the University in St. Petersburg, Arcada University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki and Ca’ Foscari University in Venice.
Aleksandra is fluent in French, English, Russian, Spanish, Chinese and she is member of the Paris Bar.
e-mail: afedosova@pinna-legal.com
Accolades
Selected experience
Investment Arbitration
Assistance of a Sovereign State in UNCITRAL investment arbitration proceedings brought on the basis of a BIT by a dual national also having the nationality of the State claiming above USD 10 billion for alleged indirect expropriation of assets in several businesses (financial, mines, shipping, etc.) (dismissed for lack of jurisdiction in 2020).
Representation of a Sovereign State in UNCITRAL investment arbitration proceedings brought for an alleged expropriation of electricity grid related to a territorial dispute between the BIT parties (pending, claim above euro 500 million).
Representation of an investor in UNCITRAL proceedings against a Sovereign State for expropriation of its businesses (retail, banking, medical, insurance, etc.) as a consequence of a change in political leadership in the country.
Commercial Arbitration
Dispute between a Sportswear Company and its Spanish former partner, related to the termination of a distribution agreement and the transfer of trademarks (ad hoc arbitration, Spanish law) (value: approx. USD 500 million). The representation included notably successful set aside proceedings of a first arbitral award; counsel in the second arbitration proceedings; and successful liability claim against the arbitrators who issued the first annulled arbitral award.
Representation of an Italian pharmaceutical company in a dispute against Belgian and French pharmaceutical companies related to distribution and manufacturing and in defending against set aside proceedings of an interim award brought by the opposing party (ICC arbitration, Paris seat, Court of appeal of Paris).
Representation of a German public company against the former JV partner in a South American Country which brought a monetary claim in application of an earn-out clause stipulated in the sale of shares in the JV (ICC arbitration, Zurich seat, Argentine law).
Representation of a French manufacturer of chemical products in successfully defending a claim for compensation and for revision of the price brought by the buyer / distributor of a specific fuel addictive in the US (ICC arbitration, Geneva seat).
Sport arbitration
Several proceedings in representation of former executives of an international federation related to the consequences of the termination of their function (Court of arbitration for sport, Lausanne)
Arbitration Related Court Litigation
Representation of a Sovereign State in French proceedings related to an attempt for recognition and enforcement of multibillion-dollar awards, which involved the challenge of the leave for enforcement in France (exequatur) and the challenges of about 200 seizures and attachments of assets of various kind, including receivables, bank accounts and real estate properties. The outcome was favorable for the client.
Representation of a Sovereign State in French in defending set aside proceedings brought by an Investor against an UNCITRAL arbitral award that dismissed its claims for indirect expropriation in interests in two gold mines (valued approx. USD 1) (set aside proceedings dismissed in 2019).
Representation of a Sovereign State in bringing set aside proceedings against an award ordering the State to pay approx. USD 1,1 billion. Award set aside by the Paris Court of appeal in 2021 (proceedings before the French Supreme Court pending). This case also involved an application for revision of the award before the arbitral tribunal that issued it (also pending).
Representation of an Arbitral Tribunal against an anti-arbitration injunction application brought before French courts (First Instance Court of Paris).
Action before the judge in support of arbitration of the Paris tribunal for the constitution of the arbitral tribunal due to the pathological character of the arbitration agreement (First Instance Court of Paris).
International disputes before French courts not related to arbitration
Assisting a Swiss trader in Oil & Gas in obtaining payment for the sale of crude oil by the releasing of funds frozen because of economic sanctions targeting the State-owned buyer of the product (French Courts and French national competent authority under EU Regulation).
Representing a Sovereign State in successfully defending on the basis of immunity from jurisdiction monetary claims of bondholders issued at the beginning of the 20th Century (First instance Court of Paris and Cour de cassation)
Representing a Sovereign State in disputes over the ownership of real estate properties in the South of France, including historical and religious buildings.
Criminal international law
Representation of a businessman in the frame of proceedings aiming at seizing its properties in France including a Castle near Paris.
Assisting a leading French luxury company in the frame of proceedings aiming at dismantling an international association active in manufacturing and distributing counterfeited parfums and fragrances (France, China and Switzerland).
Representation of a businessman in challenging the recognition in France of a confiscation decided by Swiss Courts of a real estate property located in the South of France.
Publications
Download a selection of legal publications (with authorization)
Case note of Paris Court of appeal, 15 September 2020 (corruption), Revue de l’arbitrage 2020-4, p. 1085-1101
The Incompatibility of Intra-EU BITs with European Union Law, annotation following ECJ, 6 March 2018, Case 284/16, Slovak Republic v Achmea BV, Paris Journal of International Arbitration 2018-1, p. 73-95
L’autorité des règles d’arbitrage choisies par les parties, Paris Journal of International Arbitration 2014-1, p. 9-28
L’arbitre et le recours en annulation contre la sentence qu’il a rendue. Approche critique du droit français à la lumière du droit comparé (with A. Barrier), Paris Journal of International Arbitration, 2012-2, p. 295-308
L’autorité de la chose jugée invoquée devant l’arbitre. Point de vue sous le prisme de l’ordre juridique français, Paris Journal of International Arbitration, 2010-3, p. 697-716
L’annulation d’une sentence arbitrale partielle, Revue de l’arbitrage, 2008-4, p. 615-640
Réflexions sur l’arbitrage forcé, Gazette du Palais, Cahier de l’arbitrage, 14-16 décembre 2008, p. 6-12
Les vicissitudes du Tribunal Arbitral du Sport : Contribution à l’étude de l’arbitrage des sanctions disciplinaires, Gazette du Palais, Cahier de l’arbitrage, 19-20 mai 2004, p. 31-46.
Case note of French Cour de cassation, 19 December 2012 (estoppel), Revue de l’arbitrage 2013-1, p. 147-159
La reconnaissance de l’extension de la clause compromissoire à l’entité objet du contrat, annotation following French Cour de cassation, 10 October 2012, Paris Journal of International Arbitration 2013-1, p. 117-130
La Confirmation de la jurisprudence Pirelli par la Cour de cassation et les difficultés pratiques de garantir au plaideur impécunieux l’accès à la jurisprudence arbitrale, annotation following French Cour de cassation, 28 March 2013 and Paris Court of appeal 26 February 2013, Paris Journal of International Arbitration 2013-2, p. 479-490
L’indépendance et l’impartialité de l’arbitre désigné dans deux procédures connexes (with F. de Bérard), annotation following Paris Court of appeal 9 September 2014, Paris Journal of International Arbitration 2014-4, p. 805-817
Les approches suisse et française du contrôle de la conformité à l’ordre public international, annotation following Swiss Federal Tribunal, 3 November 2016 and Paris Court of appeal, 10 April 2018, Alstom Transport SA and Alstom Network UK LTD v Alexander Brothers LTD, Paris Journal of International Arbitration, 2018-3, 465-487
Download a selection of press articles
Susannah Moody, Pinna opens in US with White & Case hire, Global Arbitration Review, 13 March 2024 (requires subscription)
Jack Rodgers, Paris-Based Pinna Legal Launches 1st US Office in DC, Law360, 12 March 2024 (requires subscription)
Benjamin Jérôme, Avocats d’Etats, un métier hors normes, Le Parisien Magazine, 23 June 2017
Chloé Enkaoua, Andrea Pinna, le cosmopolite, Dalloz Actualité, 17 January 2022
Toby Fisher, Pinna leaves Foley to launch Paris boutique, Global Arbitration Review, 23 June 2022 (requires subscription)
Création de Pinna Legal, cabinet dédié au contentieux et à l’arbitrage international, Le Monde du Droit, 1 July 2022
Olivia Fuentes, Pinna Legal, nouvelle boutique d’arbitrage international et de contentieux, Magazine Décideurs, 7 July 2022
Laurence Neuer, L’avocat qui n’a pas lâché la Russie, malgré la guerre, Le Point, 26 July 2022 (requires subscription)
PORTRAIT. Andrea Pinna fait cavalier seul en continuant de s’impliquer dans les dossiers russes. Qu’est-ce qui motive cet électron libre du barreau ?
Download a selection of judgments issued by French Courts
Paris Tribunal, 28 April 2016, (Hulley Enterprises Limited v. Russian Federation and Bouygues Bâtiment Ile-de-France)
Paris Court of appeal, 27 June 2017 (Russian Federation v. Hulley Enterprises Limited)
Paris Court of appeal, 27 June 2017 (Hulley Enterprises Limited v. Arianespace, Roscosmos, Russian Federation, French Republic and Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales)
Paris Court of appeal, 14 May 2019 (Oxus Gold Plc v. Republic of Uzbekistan)
Paris Court of appeal, 30 March 2021 (Russian Federation v JSC Oschadbank)
Grasse Tribunal, 9 November 2021 (ACOR v. Russian Federation)
Paris Tribunal, 1 December 2021 (Empire Bondholder v. Russian Federation)
Contact Us
Address
Andrea Pinna
Pinna Legal
4, rue Brunel
75017 Paris, France
Pinna Legal U.S. PLLC
10 G Street NE, Suite 600 (Room 648)
Washington, D.C., 20002, U.S.A.