Shoosmiths expands its international arbitration practice

UK law firm Shoosmiths expands its commercial litigation team with the appointment of a new partner in London, Dr Johanne Cox to develop its international arbitration practice for the post-Brexit world.

Johanne has more than 18 years of experience in international arbitration and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and an accredited mediator. Most recently an arbitration lawyer in the Middle East and Africa – in Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar – Johanne previously worked at leading international law firms in London. 

Johanne specialises in investment law and investment treaty arbitration having represented both foreign investors and governments in investment treaty disputes at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). She has significant experience handling high value, international commercial arbitrations across regions and sectors including construction, oil and gas, telecommunications, finance and corporate.

Johanne is dual qualified in England and Ireland. She sits as an arbitrator and has been appointed chairperson, sole arbitrator and co-arbitrator and nominated for appointments by the Irish National Committee.

Chambers and Partners global legal directory said of Johanne: "she is well respected by her peers and has a notable track record on complex and high-value international arbitrations" and "she receives praise from sources for her commendable strength in this field". The Legal 500 guide described Johanne as "very reliable and highly experienced" and as "very experienced and knowledgeable".

Head of Shoosmiths’ litigation team, Alex Bishop said: “We’re very pleased to welcome Johanne as a partner with her extremely impressive arbitration credentials and global experience to grow our international arbitration practice, a key area for strategic growth in terms of both our litigation practice and the firm’s broader international strategy.

“Arbitrations will only increase as many clients choose this route rather than the English courts, particularly given the uncertainties of Brexit and the enforceability of judgments in the aftermath, and as English law is commonly the governing law for international contracts subject to arbitration clauses, we are perfectly able to provide the expertise necessary, wherever in the world that arbitration may take place.”

Head of Shoosmiths' London office, Joseph Mazzucca said: “Johanne’s appointment marks 12 lateral partner hires in London since 2019, a key part of our growth plans which also include a new London office in 2021 that will continue to deliver the highest levels of service for our clients.”

Johanne holds a doctorate in public international law and authored the book Expropriation in Investment Treaty Arbitration, a global publication and part of Oxford University Press’ International Arbitration Series in 2019.