Vanguard launch reported in Law360
The launch of Vanguard International Dispute Resolution was reported in Law360:
"Derains & Gharavi Arbitration Pros Set Up Paris Boutique
Two international arbitrators from Derains & Gharavi have left the firm to set up their own boutique practice that leverages their combined decades of experience in investor-state and commercial arbitration.
Melanie van Leeuwen and Sophia von Dewall launched Vanguard International Dispute Resolution at the beginning of the year after 12 and 13 years at the firm, respectively, bringing with them a wealth of experience in both treaty and commercial arbitration.
Von Dewall told Law360 on Thursday that embarking on this venture felt like a 'no brainer' because of the duo's shared principles and strong drive.
'We share key values when it comes to the quality of work, our dedication to clients, work ethics, and also the importance of building a strong and diverse team with an inclusive culture,' she added.
Von Dewall spent seven years at Freshfields practicing corporate law before moving to dispute resolution working across their Amsterdam, Paris and New York offices. In 2012, she joined Derains & Gharavi where she was promoted to counsel in 2017 and made partner five years later.
While at Derains & Gharavi, von Dewall was on the team representing Albania in ICSID proceedings brought by Greek fuel company Mamidoil, in which the tribunal unanimously rejected claims of indirect expropriation and the majority dismissing allegations of unfair and inequitable treatment.
She also worked on the team that successfully defended Romania in a case over Dutch company Nova Group's investment in an insurance company that went bankrupt.
'What joined [Melanie and I] was the wish to create something that is of our own, and to put our own stamp on the way that we handle clients, deal with cases, and our approach to international arbitration,' von Dewall said.
Van Leeuwen brings to the firm nearly three decades of experience as a practitioner in international arbitration. Since 1996, she has served as both counsel and arbitrator in over 150 cases under all major arbitration rules and is serving a second term as the chair of the ICC's global think tank, the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR.
Van Leeuwen is leading the counsel team that is defending India in a $640 million treaty claim lodged by investors in insolvent satellite company Devas Multimedia. She is also representing India in annulment, revocation and enforcement proceedings before the Hague Court of Appeal.
Previously, van Leeuwen represented India in Dutch court proceedings that led to the annulment of a $1.2 billion investment award that had been issued in favor of Cairn Energy in a dispute over a retroactive tax assessment.
As arbitrator, van Leeuwen also recently sat on an annulment committee that upheld an award requiring Madagascar to pay €7 million ($7.3 million) to two Belgian textile investors whose factory was destroyed during violent protests.
'We set out to create a platform from which we can better deploy the resources that existing clients need and, more importantly, to develop our practice,' van Leeuwen said in a statement. 'Judging by the response from clients and colleagues, our approach is clearly resonating with the market.'
The firm currently houses four lawyers and two interns but will be joined by several more lawyers later this year at the partner and associate level.
Van Leeuwen received her Master of Laws from Erasmus University Rotterdam in 1996 before completing the Professional Education Programme for the Legal Profession at the Dutch Bar Association.
Von Dewall gained her Master of Laws in Public International & European Law and Master of Laws in Dutch Law from the University of Amsterdam.
