The Paris-based scholar and African law specialist will bolster the newly launched boutique’s international public law, arbitration and investment protection capabilities.
Arnaud de Nanteuil – who is noted for his expertise in international investments, African regional law and mining – has joined boutique law firm Mada as of counsel, effective today (1 September).
The arbitration practitioner will significantly boost Mada’s capabilities in complex projects, dispute resolution and investor-state relations. Founded in June this year by a group of eight lawyers from Trinity International, Mada – which has offices in Paris and Dubai – specialises in matters concerning natural redle East, Europe, Central Asia and Latin America
The firm covers a range of practice areas including international arbitration and litigation, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), financing, tax, regulatory, and ESG, business and human rights.
For over a decade, de Nanteuil – who is a professor of public law at the University of Paris-Est Créteil – has combined his academic role with a consulting and advisory practice, while also serving as an arbitrator in investor-state disputes. He is listed as an arbitrator with several institutions including the Organization for the Harmonization in Africa of Business Law (OHADA)’s Common Court of Justice and Arbitration, and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). He is expected to retain his academic position.
Mada said de Nanteuil’s addition enhances the firm’s ability to advise clients on matters including investment protection, international taxation, the law of regional institutions –particularly African ones such as the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) – exchange control regulations, land and maritime boundaries, government recognition, and transboundary environmental issues.
It also anticipates that de Nanteuil’s hire will open up new opportunities for the firm to assist in managing relations between states.
The new arrival will work closely with senior partner Stéphane Brabant, global managing partner Lucien Bou Chaaya and partner Rayan Keyrouz on international litigation, and France managing partner Jérôme Le Berre on international tax matters.
In a statement, Bou Chaaya said de Nanteuil possesses a “rare mastery of international law, underpinned by top-tier research into the most complex issues surrounding international investment”. He continued: “His ability to handle everything from drafting or revising the legal instruments governing relations between states – or between states and investors – to managing complex arbitrations aligns perfectly with the firm’s practice and versatility.”
Brabant said de Nanteuil brings a “unique distinction” to Mada’s international investment law practice, adding a “new dimension to alternative dispute resolution, including amicable settlement and mediation, as well as to relations with sub-regional and financial institutions in Africa”.
Commenting on his decision to join Mada, de Nanteuil said: “I have worked extensively with lawyers over the past few years and have always been struck by the complementary nature of our approaches. What I bring to cases is a broader perspective – a comprehensive overview informed by research – without ever losing sight of the details. Joining Mada […] formalises a role I have played for about a decade within a team I know well.”
In other law firm developments, <a href="https://absafricatv.com/australia-reveal-odi-squads-for-zimbabwe-and-south-africa/" title="Australia reveal ODI squads for Zimbabwe and South Africa“>South African player Deneys last week re-elected Michelle David as its chair for a second term, following its demerger from Norton Rose Fulbright at the end of March.
