Nathan Landis was a foundation member of Clifford Chance Perth
The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb) has announced the election of international arbitrator and barrister Nathan Landis as president of its Australia arm.
The Perth-based dispute resolution lawyer is the first Western Australian to hold the position.
“I am honoured to be elected and see this as an opportunity to further promote and advocate for the expertise and experience of Australia’s dispute resolution practitioners in the cross-border dispute resolution market”, Landis said. “With the support of HQ in London, the council and management of Ciarb Australia are setting new objectives and priorities which we will commit ourselves to implementing with energy and experience”.
Landis began his legal career in 2002 as an associate to Federal Court Justice Dowsett AM. He recorded stints at Mallesons Stephen Jaques (King & Wood Mallesons) and DLA Piper’s Middle East office. He was also a foundation member of Clifford Chance Perth when the firm entered the Australian market in 2011.
He has tackled over 100 commercial arbitration claims under various institutional rules and ad hoc arrangements across Australia, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Additionally, he has handled over 70 claims under bilateral and multilateral treaties seeking compensation for investors due to supposed treaty violations.
Landis was part of the independent bar before commencing with global litigation funder IMF Bentham (now Omni Bridgeway) as a senior investment manager, where he managed a portfolio of claims, including investment treaty disputes, international arbitration and litigation in Australia, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. He returned to the independent bar in September 2021.
His current practice focuses on dispute resolution in the resources and energy sectors worldwide.
“As an arbitrator, barrister, and a former senior investment manager at a leading third-party funder, and having lived abroad and travelled to many jurisdictions, Mr. Landis will no doubt bring a welcomed international perspective and will lead the Australia branch to new heights and achievements”, said Prof Dr Mohamed Abdel Wahab, Ciarb Global president-elect and founding partner of Zulficar & Partners in Cairo.
At present, Landis is also as a legal officer in the Australian Army Reserve. Throughout a military career of more than 27 years, Landis has led soldiers as an armoured reconnaissance officer; following his recategorisation as a legal officer, he has appeared in military tribunals and advised on operational and administrative law issues.
“As the first Western Australian elected to the role, Mr Landis brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the Ciarb. I am confident that Mr Landis will be a valuable addition to the CIARB as well as a strong voice in advocating for and promoting the experience of Australian practitioners in the international dispute resolution market”, WA Attorney General John Quigly MLA said.
Landis highlighted ongoing Ciarb initiatives, including the Australia branch’s work with the East Asia and Singapore branches.
“We have entered into another joint venture with the East Asia and Singapore branches of Ciarb to deliver the Ciarb Asia Pacific Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration which is aimed at enhancing expertise to support the booming trade and investment relationships in the region. I am also pleased to announce the Federal Court of Australia has renewed its partnership with Ciarb in delivering a high quality program aimed at promoting international arbitration and Australia as an attractive neutral resolution venue in the Asia Pacific”, he said.
Landis added that under a global economy in the midst of transition, “private dispute resolution is assuming greater importance as a mechanism for resolving cross-border disputes”.
“The Asia Pacific region is seeing a range of these types of disputes emerging, including in non-traditional industries and sectors. Over the next few months, you will see us return to a pre-Covid tempo of engagement as we roll out a range of opportunities for members to improve their knowledge and gain globally recognised Ciarb qualifications. We will also be announcing other initiatives that will benefit members and the various communities we serve”, he said.
Ciarb is recognised globally for its role in private dispute resolution training, accreditation and practice.
