KNOW-HOW
REMOTE ORAL ADVOCACY PROGRAMME (ROAP)




Please meet the ROAP Steering Committee members. From left to right, and top to bottom, we are fortunate to have: Ian Clemmence, Vyapak Desai, Philip Dunham, Andrew Flower, Sandra González, Andrés Jana, Colin Johnson, Swee Yen Koh, Sofia Martins, Reza Mohtashami QC, Małgorzata Surdek, Angeline Welsh. Their short bios are set out below.
Reza Mohtashami QC is a partner in the London office of Three Crowns. He has represented clients as counsel and advocate in more than 80 arbitrations conducted under a variety of arbitration rules in many different jurisdictions. Reza has particular expertise in disputes arising in emerging markets with a focus on the telecoms, energy and infrastructure sectors. Prior to Three Crowns he worked in the arbitration practice of a leading international arbitration firm where he established and led the firm’s global arbitration practice in the Middle East. Reza is a Vice-Chair of the IBA Arbitration Committee, trustee of the DIFC-LCIA Arbitration Centre, a trustee of the BCDR-AAA, and editorial board member of the ICC Dispute Resolution Bulletin and Global Arbitration Review. He is the immediate past president of the LCIA Arab Users’ Council. Reza is a qualified English solicitor-advocate and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in recognition of his advocacy skills in 2018. He is recognised as a Thought Leader in arbitration by Who Who’s Legal with Chambers and Partners describing him as “very capable, intelligent and hard-working” and the “real deal.” He speaks English, French and Farsi.
Mr. Mohtashami was part of the faculty for the inaugural ROAP edition in 2020 and is part of the faculty for ROAP EMEA 2021.
Ian Clemmence is a Partner in PwC’s London based Forensic Services practice, where he is responsible for leading a range of valuation, litigation dispute and investigation cases. Ian has over nineteen years of disputes, audit, corporate finance, investigation, financial modelling, report writing and statistical analysis experience. He has managed the production of over 100 expert reports, focused on a range of issues across multiple industries and territories, often with a particular focus on energy, oil and gas and construction, including claims arising out of investment treaties. Ian has been appointed as expert on a number of matters (both litigation and arbitration) and given oral evidence on a number of occasions, mostly recently testifying in an ICC arbitration. Ian also has experience of mediations, managing global investigations, corruption reviews and audits under UK GAAP, IFRS and US GAAP. Ian has been engaged to act as expert in a number of forums, including the UK High Court and under ICC Rules.
Ian was part of the expert faculty for the inaugural ROAP edition in 2020 and is part of the expert faculty for ROAP EMEA 2021.
Vyapak Desai heads the International Dispute Resolution and Investigation Practice at the multi-skilled, research and strategy driven international law firm, Nishith Desai Associates. A senior attorney with the firm, Vyapak specializes in bringing in the highest level of analytical and innovative input in cross border, complex contentious matters, corporate/regulatory investigations while also leading the Corporate and Securities practice in the past at the firm.
Vyapak's vast experience includes representing clients as Counsel in a host of complex cases including investment treaty arbitrations, commercial disputes related to shareholders agreements, international trade and contractual disputes across industries such as oil & gas, infrastructure, private equity, Pharma & Healthcare and TMT, in India, and all over the world. Vyapak has also cultivated expertise in bankruptcy, corporate and securities laws as well as in white-collar crimes. Known for his innovative, pragmatic and solution-oriented approach, he is also a trained mediator/conciliator and acts as arbitrator across international jurisdictions such as London, Singapore, Malaysia and India.
Expert in Constitutional, Commercial, and International Law, Vyapak has helped shape key insights within these practice areas. Vyapak is the Co-chair-council of MCIA, Director of CIArb India Branch, Convener - Indian Arbitration Forum (IAF), member of ICC India Group, Co-chair of Society of Construction Law- India (Western India Chapter), Advisory Board at MARC, Mauritius, Member of IBA, IPBA and the Bar Council of Maharashtra & Goa. He has also been listed on the Panel of Arbitrators of SIAC, AIAC LCIA, THIAC, MCX/NCDEX (SEBI), and BVI IAC. Vyapak has also co-authored a chapter on Enforcing Arbitral Awards in India published by Lexis-Nexis 2017.#
Vyapak is the Co-Chair for the ROAP Asia 2021 edition.
Philip Dunham has concentrated his practice in international arbitration since 1992. His principal activity has been acting as counsel in numerous commercial and investment treaty arbitrations, whether ad hoc (including under the UNCITRAL Rules), or under the rules of the ICC, the LCIA, the SCC, or ICSID. Mr. Dunham has particular experience advising on construction and engineering disputes covering a broad range of commercial, industrial and infrastructure projects. Mr. Dunham also has extensive experience handling joint venture, oil & gas, energy, and military procurement disputes in respect of which he has regularly acted for and against state entities. Mr. Dunham has also served as arbitrator (including as an emergency arbitrator) in several significant arbitrations.
Mr. Dunham is a regular speaker at various conferences and seminars on international arbitration in Europe, Asia, and the United States. He has also published numerous articles on international arbitration. Mr. Dunham is admitted to England and Wales Bar and registered as a Foreign Lawyer at the Paris Bar. He is fluent in English and French.
Mr. Dunham was part of the faculty for the inaugural ROAP edition in 2020 and is the Co-Chair for the ROAP EMEA 2021 edition.
Andrew Flower is a Managing Director with Alvarez & Marsal Disputes and Investigations in Paris. He has more than 25 years of experience in forensic accounting and in providing expert evidence in international arbitration (commercial and investor state). He has been listed as a leading expert witnesses in international arbitration in Europe by “Who’s Who Legal,” since inception of the list and is equally recognised as a Thought Leader in International Arbitration.
Mr. Flower has provided expert evidence in arbitrations conducted under the auspices of institutions including ICC, ICDR, ICSID, DIAC, NAI, DIS, and under UNCITRAL rules. He has provided written evidence in over 150 disputes, and has testified and been cross-examined on his evidence before tribunals in New York, Washington DC, London, Paris, Stockholm, The Hague, Geneva, Zurich, Dubai, Singapore and Brisbane.
Throughout his career, Mr. Flower has also provided advice to parties in post transaction disputes, both in connection with arbitrations and in the context of expert determinations. He acted both as an advisor to one of the parties and as the appointed determining expert.
Prior to joining A&M, Mr. Flower was the global head of the disputes practice in one of the Big Four accounting firms working out of their Paris, New York and London offices. Mr. Flower has also been appointed as an independent expert by the ICC Centre of Expertise and as a tribunal appointed expert in an ICC arbitration. Mr. Flower has also acted as mediator in a royalty dispute.
In addition to his work in arbitration, Mr. Flower assisted Vivendi as a defendant in their long running class action suit in the New York Courts and has provided written expert evidence in matters before the English High Court. He was also one of the senior advisors to the Kuwait Government in the assessment of corporate claims for damages arising from the First Gulf War.
Mr. Flower earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of York. He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and is a native English and fluent French speaker.
He was part of the expert faculty for the inaugural ROAP edition in 2020 and is part of the expert faculty for ROAP EMEA 2021.
Sandra González chairs FERRERE’s Dispute Resolution practice in its offices in Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay. She represents clients in a wide range of industries in commercial and investment arbitration under several arbitration rules and institutions. She has recently represented clients in construction, oil & gas, ports, mining and regulated markets cases. Sandra González also sits as arbitrator; she has arbitrated cases under different applicable laws, seats and institutions on infrastructure projects, M&A and construction.
Ms. González is Uruguay’s alternate member to the ICC Arbitration Court, a member of the Observatory on the Status of Arbitration of the Asociación Latinoamericana de Arbitraje (ALARB), vicechair of the Capítulo Rioplatense of the Spanish Arbitration Club (CEA) and founding member and member of the Executive Committee of WWA – Women Way in Arbitration LATAM. She chaired the Latin America Chapter of the International Section of the New York State Bar Association and was Uruguay’s representative to the membership committee of the International Section of the American Bar Association.
Sandra González was Deputy Director of law at ORT University (Uruguay) and teaches various university courses in arbitration and international law in Uruguay and abroad. She earned her law degree from the Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad de la República (Uruguay) and her LL.M. from Harvard Law School (USA).
She is the Co-Chair for the ROAP LatAm 2021 edition.
Andrés Jana is founding partner at Chilean law firm Bofill Mir & Alvarez Jana. Between 1996 and 1998 he was the Director of Legal Studies of the Central Bank of Chile. He obtained his LL.M. from Harvard University and graduated summa cum laude from the Law School of the Universidad de Chile.
He has vast experience as counsel, arbitrator and expert in international disputes involving commercial, investment and international public law issues, before the International Court of Justice, the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), the American Arbitration Association (AAA), the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC), the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), and several ad hoc tribunals; as well as domestic courts in different jurisdictions.
Jana is the Chilean delegate before the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), where he participated in the revision and adoption of the UNCITRAL arbitration rules (2010, the rules of transparency in arbitrations between investors and states (2013) and currently chairs the work of the WG on Expedited Arbitration. He is on the Panel of Arbitrators for ICSID, a member of the Governing Board of ICCA, member of the Council of SIAC, member of the Latin American Arbitration Group of the ICC and founding member and former Vice-president of the Latin American Arbitration Association (ALARB), among others. A Professor of Law at Universidad de Chile since 1997, he regularly lectures and publishes on international disputes.
Mr. Jana is the Co-Chair for the ROAP LatAm 2021 edition.
Colin Johnson is a partner in HKA’s fast growing Forensic Accounting and Commercial Damages (FACD) team based in London. Colin’s career to date has seen him undertake roles as a project finance lawyer and consultant, a project developer and a project investor in emerging markets. He now applies this extensive project investment experience in his forensic work when acting as expert witness, valuer and advisor. Recognised by Who’s Who Legal as a Global Leader, he has acted as expert witness on behalf of national governments, large companies, and entrepreneurs in international arbitrations and litigation on cases ranging up to US$50bn+ in claim value. His experience also extends to analysing, negotiating, and managing major projects (particularly energy related), having worked in Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Colin is part of the faculty for the ROAP EMEA 2021 edition.
Swee Yen Koh is a partner in the commercial and corporate disputes, and international arbitration practices at WongPartnership LLP. Ms Koh is the Vice-Chair of the IBA Arbitration Committee. She is also the Vice-Chair of the IPBA Dispute Resolution and Arbitration Committee, and a member of the editorial board of the ICC Dispute Resolution Bulletin and the ICCA-ASIL Task Force on Damages.
Ms Koh is recommended as a leading practitioner in various legal publications, including The Legal 500, Chambers Global and Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific. She has been listed as one of the world’s leading arbitration practitioners in Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration 2021 and as a recognised expert in Commercial Arbitration in Experts Guides 2019: The World’s Finest Lawyers Chosen By Their Peers. Legal 500 says that Ms Koh is the "go-to disputes lawyer in Singapore", with an "ability to zone right in on the issues with precision and confidence".
Ms Koh is the Co-Chair for the ROAP Asia 2021 edition.
Sofia Martins heads the disputes practice at Miranda & Associados. She sits on the board of the Portuguese Arbitration Association since 2014. She has also been an officer of the IBA Arbitration Committee and co-editor of the IBA International Arbitration Guide since March 2017 and is a member of the ICC Arbitration and ADR Committee. In July 2020 she was appointed to chair the board of the arbitration Center of Concórdia. Previously she was one of the co-chairs for CEA-40 and APASub40, having also sat on the board of the Arbitration Centre of the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (2012 – 2019).
Sofia represents clients in a wide range of civil, commercial and investment disputes, ranging from construction to energy, in Portugal and abroad, also acting as arbitrator, both in domestic and international disputes.
Sofia was part of the faculty for the inaugural ROAP edition in 2020 and is part of the faculty for ROAP EMEA 2021.
Malgorzata Anna Surdek is a partner and head of dispute resolution at CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang in Poland. She has over 20 years of experience in resolving disputes in the construction, energy, mining, telecommunications, banking and insurance sectors. Małgorzata regularly acts as counsel in international commercial arbitrations and international investment arbitrations. She occasionally acts as an arbitrator in arbitrations administered by the ICC, the Arbitration Court at the Polish Chamber of Commerce, the Lewiatan Arbitration Court and in ad hoc arbitrations under the UNCITRAL Rules.
Małgorzata is a member of the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. She is also a member of the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR, the Arbitration Commission at ICC Poland and the Arbitration Commission of the Polish Bar Council.
The international legal directories The Legal 500, Chambers Global and Chambers Europe recommend Malgorzata as a leading specialist in the field of dispute resolution and insurance. According to Chambers, clients are impressed with “the way she leads the case and her team, as well as the way she formulates her argumentation”. They admire the fact that “she focused on the right things and devised a strong strategy for the hearings”, praise her as “perfect in negotiations”, and commend her “business-oriented attitude”. Malgorzata speaks fluent Polish, English and French.
Małgorzata was part of the faculty for the inaugural ROAP edition in 2020 and is the Co-Chair for the ROAP EMEA 2021 edition.
Angeline is a commercial litigator with over 15 years of experience and specific expertise in international arbitration. She has appeared (unled) before the English Commercial Court, the English Court of Appeal and conducted substantial advocacy before both commercial and investment treaty arbitral tribunals. She has also appeared (led) before the Supreme Court and the Privy Council, as well as various courts in the Caribbean. In addition, Angeline has substantial experience in handling cases involving issues of public law, constitutional law and human rights law.
Prior to being called to the English Bar in 2015, Angeline was Counsel and Solicitor Advocate with a major international law firm. She has litigated a broad range of commercial disputes, including those in the energy, telecoms, financial, construction, manufacturing and shipping sectors, before the English courts, courts in the commonwealth and arbitral tribunals under the LCIA, HKIAC, ICC, ICSID, UNCITRAL and BVI IAC rules. Angeline also regularly sits as arbitrator.
In 2020, Angeline was recognised as a Global Leader for Arbitration by Who’s Who Legal, having been recommended for some time as both a Thought Leader and Leading Junior at the English Bar for arbitration. She is described in Chambers 2020 (UK and Global) as having an “impressive mastery of the details of the case and of technical legal arguments” as well as “[e]xtremely hands-on, approachable and a real team player.” Angeline was named as a ‘Star at the Bar’ by Legal Week in recognition of her “excellent judgement and leadership qualities” and not being frightened to tackle novel and difficult areas of law, or “to deal head-on with the more complicated aspects of a case”.
Angeline was part of the faculty for the inaugural ROAP edition in 2020 and is part of the faculty for ROAP Asia 2021.