Carter-Ruck said on Thursday that it has appointed Tomas Vail as a partner in its International team, joining from his own specialist practice, Vail Dispute Resolution.
Vail is an international commercial and investment arbitration specialist with more than 15 years’ experience, representing investors, States, state-owned entities and commercial clients.
He has particular experience in matters involving Russia and the CIS, Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Africa, the firm said.
His practice covers arbitrations under the ICSID, ICC, LCIA, SCC and UNCITRAL Rules, as well as related court proceedings.
Vail has acted in disputes across the energy and natural-resources, infrastructure, construction, telecommunications, financial-services, commodities and joint-venture sectors.
He has particular expertise in investment treaty arbitration and public international law, including disputes under bilateral investment treaties and the Energy Charter Treaty. He also advises on pre-dispute strategy, investment structuring and treaty protection.
Before setting up Vail Dispute Resolution, he practised at Freshfields and White & Case in London.
Vail is qualified as a solicitor of England and Wales and as an attorney in New York. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and also sits as arbitrator. He is a native speaker of English and Russian and is fluent in French.
He will work with Cameron Doley, the head of international law, and Tom Cameron. Doley took over that role when Adam Tudor was appointed senior partner, ending 14 years as the firm’s senior partner.
Tudor has been at Carter-Ruck since 2001 and heads the firm’s commercial disputes department alongside his media law practice.
The firm has promoted three associates to partner, citing rapidly increasing work levels in its Media and International departments. One of them, Miranda Rushton, joined the International department in 2012, specialising in bilateral investment treaty and other arbitration work and sanctions-related cases.
Tudor said of the latest hire: “We are delighted to welcome Tomas to the firm. He brings with him formidable experience, sector-knowledge and client relationships.”
He added: “I have no doubt that his arrival will add considerably to the breadth and depth of our International practice.”
Vail said: “I am delighted to join Carter-Ruck and to work with Cameron Doley (the Head of International Law), Tom Cameron and the wider team. I look forward to contributing to the continued development of the International practice and supporting clients on complex cross-border disputes.”