Speaker details

Biography

Martin Valasek is a partner at Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, and head of its international arbitration practice. He is a leading practitioner in the area of international arbitration, with extensive experience in both investor-state and commercial contract disputes. He regularly acts as counsel, and also sits as arbitrator. His experience covers a wide range of legal systems and industries, including aerospace, airport development, banking, construction, mining, energy, environmental remediation, pharmaceuticals, IT outsourcing, lotteries and steel manufacturing. He has handled matters under the ICC, LCIA, ICSID and UNCITRAL Rules, and other ad hoc and institutional rules. He also has extensive experience with investment disputes under BITs, NAFTA and the Energy Charter Treaty. In 2011, Mr. Valasek was named to Global Arbitration Review's 45 under 45 list of leading practitioners in the field of international arbitration under the age of 45. In 2007, he was named one of Lexpert's 'Rising Stars: 40 Leading Lawyers Under 40' for Canada. He is a member of the Bars of Québec, Ontario and New York. He served as President of the Young Canadian Arbitration Practitioners (YCAP) from 2007 to 2010. He clerked for Mr. Justice Gonthier of the Supreme Court of Canada. He is fluent in English, French and Czech, and has a working knowledge of Spanish.