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Floriane Lavaud is a partner in the litigation and arbitration team.
Floriane is a trusted adviser on the prevention and resolution of high-profile international disputes and conflicts. With 20 years of experience, she advises sovereign states, international organizations, and global investors on public international law, treaty drafting and negotiations, international arbitration, and strategic investments. She has acted before the International Court of Justice, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, and other leading international fora.Her work in public international law encompasses the law of the sea, maritime boundary delimitation, defense, international humanitarian law, and international human rights law. She has worked closely with the United Nations and Security Council actors on strengthening legal frameworks for peace and security, and is the co-author of Empowering the UN Security Council: Reforms to Address Modern Threats (Oxford University Press), which offers an in-depth analysis of proposals to enhance the Council’s effectiveness. The book features contributions from UN diplomats, legal practitioners, academics, and a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
Her expertise in defense is further reflected in her role as an Associate Fellow of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), a leading global authority on defense and international affairs. In this capacity, she contributes to discussions on the application of international law to modern security threats, conflict prevention, and the legal dimensions of armed conflict and maritime disputes.
Floriane also advises sovereign wealth funds, private equity funds, and hedge funds on strategic investments that intersect with international law, diplomacy, and foreign policy. Her work often involves advising on projects in complex political environments, particularly in the Middle East, and managing exposure to legal and geopolitical risk.
She is deeply committed to pro bono advocacy. Her recent work includes representing the Rohingya before the International Criminal Court and the Tigrayan people before the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, in collaboration with Legal Action Worldwide. She has also partnered with the Clooney Foundation for Justice on a number of high-profile cases involving the detention of unlawfully imprisoned journalists.
Floriane is recognized by Chambers Global for her “strong knowledge of public international law," for being “very practical and strategic in responding to her clients’ needs" and "is brilliant, strategic, pragmatic and a very strong thought partner." Chambers USA notes that her “emotional IQ is off the charts,” while The Legal 500 US describes her as “a legal surgeon” who is “impeccable and greatly motivated.” Who’s Who Legal calls her “phenomenal,” “one of the most polished lawyers in the field,” and “a shining star in the field of international arbitration.”
She previously clerked for the Hon. Douglas P. Woodlock of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts and began her legal career at Total, where she advised on legal matters in the oil and gas sector as part of its Exploration & Production division.
Floriane serves as Board Member and Co-Chair of the International Arbitration Committee of the American Branch of the International Law Association (ABILA). She has also held leadership roles with ArbitralWomen, the ICC Young Arbitrators Forum, and International Law Weekend. She regularly speaks and teaches on topics related to international law and dispute resolution.
Her recent publications include the U.S. chapter of the IBA Arbitration Country Guide and an article on evidentiary challenges in armed conflict, published in the ICSID Review – Foreign Investment Law Journal.
She is deeply committed to pro bono advocacy. Her recent work includes representing the Rohingya before the International Criminal Court and the Tigrayan people before the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, in collaboration with Legal Action Worldwide. She has also partnered with the Clooney Foundation for Justice on a number of high-profile cases involving the detention of unlawfully imprisoned journalists.
Floriane is recognized by Chambers Global for her “strong knowledge of public international law," for being “very practical and strategic in responding to her clients’ needs" and "is brilliant, strategic, pragmatic and a very strong thought partner." Chambers USA notes that her “emotional IQ is off the charts,” while The Legal 500 US describes her as “a legal surgeon” who is “impeccable and greatly motivated.” Who’s Who Legal calls her “phenomenal,” “one of the most polished lawyers in the field,” and “a shining star in the field of international arbitration.”
She previously clerked for the Hon. Douglas P. Woodlock of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts and began her legal career at Total, where she advised on legal matters in the oil and gas sector as part of its Exploration & Production division.
Floriane serves as Board Member and Co-Chair of the International Arbitration Committee of the American Branch of the International Law Association (ABILA). She has also held leadership roles with ArbitralWomen, the ICC Young Arbitrators Forum, and International Law Weekend. She regularly speaks and teaches on topics related to international law and dispute resolution.
Her recent publications include the U.S. chapter of the IBA Arbitration Country Guide and an article on evidentiary challenges in armed conflict, published in the ICSID Review – Foreign Investment Law Journal.
Recent recognition
Track record
International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
Advising the United Mexican States in The Zheng He Case (Luxembourg v. Mexico).
Law of the Sea
Advising the Republic of Mauritius in connection with the Chagos Archipelago, involving issues of sovereignty and the law of the sea.
International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
Representing and advising the Republic of Equatorial Guinea in The M/T “Heroic Idun” (No. 2) Case (Marshall Islands v. Equatorial Guinea).
International Court of Justice
Represented a sovereign state in the Advisory Opinion proceedings on Obligations of States in respect of climate change.
Law of the Sea
Advising a sovereign State on law of the sea issues relating to the demarcation of its maritime boundary with another State.
ICSID Arbitration
Representing Gruppo Piccini in ICSID arbitration proceedings under the Italy–Cameroon bilateral investment treaty.
ICSID Arbitration
Advising a leading fertilizer company in ICSID arbitration proceedings concerning an alleged refusal to grant environmental approval.
Law of the Sea
Advising a sovereign State on law of the sea issues relating to a potential joint maritime infrastructure project with another State.
Talks
- 'State to State Disputes: a Case Study in International Law and Diplomacy,' Columbia SIPA - 2026, speaker
- 'Research Report Launch: "Living with the Veto",' Permanent Mission of Switzerland and Security Council Report at the United Nations - 2026, speaker
- 'IISS-Americas Women's Geopolitical Roundtable,' International Institute for Strategic Studies - Americas - 2026, speaker
- 'Empowering the United Nations to Address Modern Threats,' Vienna School of International Studies - 2026, speaker
- 'Meeting of the Group of Friends of Sport for sustainable development,' United Nations - 2026, speaker
- 'Ocean Intelligence 2.0: Deep Technology in Support of BBNJ Implementation,' United Nations - 2026, speaker
- 'Panel Discussion: The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation as a Regional Arrangement under Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations,' United Nations - 2026, speaker
- 'UN 80th Anniversary: Revitalizing the UN Through International Law 35th,' Informal Meeting of Legal Advisers - 2025, speaker
- 'The UN Security Council at 80: Current Challenges, Future Opportunities?,' British Institute of International and Comparative law - 2025, speaker
- 'Empowering the UN security council,' Circle of Women Ambassadors at the United Nations - 2025, speaker
- 'When international arbitration meets corruption,' Bocconi University - 2024, speaker
- 'The Relevance of Inter-State Energy Related Disputes,' ADGM-ICSID - 2024, speaker
- 'Recognition and Enforcement of Arbitral Awards,' Harvard Law School - 2024, speaker
- 'Inter-State Conflicts and International Arbitration,' Harvard International Arbitration Conference - 2024, speaker
- 'Formation and Validity of International Arbitration Agreements,' Columbia Law School Seminar - 2024, speaker
- 'International Arbitration and the Challenges of Financial Services in the First Three Decades of the New Century,' Washington Arbitration Week - 2023, speaker
- 'Empowering the UN Security Council to Address Modern Threats to Peace and Security,' International Law Weekend - 2023, speaker
- 'International Arbitration for Business Lawyers,' Columbia Law School Seminar - 2023, speaker
- 'Future Leaders Symposium,' GAR Live: Istanbul (2023); 'Good Faith and Abuse of Rights in Public International Law,' Colloquium on Good Faith and Contract Interpretation in MENA and Beyond - 2023, speaker
- 'Enforcement in Armed Conflicts,' ICSID-ADGM Joint Conference 2023 Research Seminar on IBT and Related Topics, NYU Law Center for Transnational Litigation, Arbitration and Commercial Law - 2023, speaker
- 'The U.S. Government and the ICC Trust Fund for Victims,' Public International Law & Policy Group Expert Roundtable - 2023, speaker
- 'Pre-Arbitration Steps: Challenges and Pitfalls,' ICC YAAF Qatar - 2023, speaker
- 'Role of International Courts in Resolving Armed Conflicts,' Harvard International Arbitration Conference - 2023, speaker
- 'Addressing Complex Arbitrations,' GAR Live: Abu Dhabi - 2023, speaker
- 'Recent Developments Before the International Court of Justice,' The Permanent Mission of Belgium to the United Nations International Day for Women in Multilateralism - 2023, speaker
- 'Challenges and Pathways for Accountability and Justice in Tigray,' American Bar Association International Law Section - 2022, speaker
- 'Investment Treaty Arbitration Practicum,' University of Paris II Panthéon-Assas, Dubai Campus Conference - 2022, speaker
- The Illegality Defense in Investment Treaty Arbitration Kuwait Business Law Forum, 2022; “Arbitrating in the MENA Region: Dos and Don’ts,” Dubai Arbitration Week - 2022, speaker
- 'Coercive Diplomacy in the Skies: Dispute Resolution Mechanisms and Legal Remedies for States,' International Law Weekend - 2022, speaker
- 'Reforming the U.N. Security Council to Address Modern Challenges,' International Law Weekend - 2022, speaker
- 'The US BIT Policy in light of NAFTA Cases,' Annual Investment Treaty Conference, 2022; 'Arbitration and Human Rights,' Istanbul Arbitration Week - 2022, speaker
- 'Breaking Barriers to Success in International Law Careers,' WILIG Annual Career Panel, 2022; 'Arbitrating Human Rights Disputes,' Mute Off Thursdays - 2022, speaker
- 'How to Address Issues of Alleged Corruption,' CILS International Arbitration Symposium - 2022, speaker
- 'Investment Arbitration in the Middle East,' Alternative Dispute Resolution and Arbitration Forum - 2022, speaker
- 'Walking the Thin Line: Jurisdiction and Admissibility,' ICC MENA Conference - 2022, speaker
- 'Notion of Investment: Definition, Legality, and Corruption,' ICSID-ADGM Joint Conference - 2022, speaker
- 'Recent Arbitration-Related Developments in the Middle East,' ABILA / ICC Webinar - 2022, speaker
- 'Women in Arbitration,' Columbia Law School Seminar - 2021, speaker
- 'The Role of the ICJ in State Intervention by Non-Parties to a Dispute,' and 'Disappearing Land and Displaced Persons: Climate Change and International Law,' International Law Weekend - 2021, speaker
- 'Developments in International Commercial Litigation and Investment Treaty Arbitration Case Funding,' IMN Litigation Finance Conference - 2021, speaker
- 'The Choice of Valuation Date in Unlawful Expropriations: The Cleaver Should Fall on the State,' Expert Witness Debating Series 2021 - 2021, speaker
- 'Hearings and Cross-Examinations,' Harvard International Arbitration Conference - 2021, speaker
Insight
External Publications
- 'The implications of the High Seas Treaty,' International Institute for Strategic Studies - April 2026, contributed
- 'Withers Represents Equatorial Guinea at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea,' Attorney at Law Magazine - October 23, 2025, mentioned
- 'Making the United Nations Security Council More Effective Without Amending the UN Charter,' Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs - March 3, 2025, co-author
- 'Withers Partner Floriane Lavaud Publishes Empowering The UN Security Council With Oxford University Press,' Mondaq - September 23, 2024, featured
- 'Empowering the UN Security Council: Reforms to Address Modern Threats,' Oxford University Press - September 20, 2024, co-author
- 'Arbitration Guide United States' International Bar Assocation Arbitration Committee - September 4, 2024, co-author
- '3 International Arbitration Trends To Watch: A Midyear Report,' Law 360 - August 7, 2024, quoted
- 'Evidentiary Challenges in the Context of Armed Conflict' ICSID Review – May 18, 2024, author
- 'The Afternoon Docket,' Reuters - April 24, 2024, mentioned
- 'Attorneys ‘On the Move': Proskauer Adds Private Client Services Partner; Sheppard Mullin Recruits Loeb & Loeb Entertainment Litigator,' New York Law Journal - April 24, 2024, mentioned
- 'Friday round-up: merger news leads the way,' Commercial Dispute Resolution - April 19, 2024, mentioned
- 'Withers adds partner to US disputes team,' eprivateclient - April 18, 2024, featured
- 'The Daily Docket,' Reuters - April 18, 2024, mentioned
- 'Withers strengthens US arbitration practice with addition of Floriane Lavaud as senior equity partner,' Solicitors Journal - April 18, 2024, featured
- 'Withers Adds Ex-Debevoise Middle East Arbitration Pro In NY,' Law360 - April 17, 2024, featured
- 'Withers hires from Debevoise in New York,' Global Arbitration Review - April 16, 2024, featured
- 'Empowering the UN Security Council: Reforms to Address Modern Threats,' International Law Association - February 2, 2024, featured
- Evidentiary Challenges in the Context of Armed Conflict,” ICSID Review - 2024, featured
- 'IBA Arbitration Country Guide – United States,' IBA Country Guide - 2024, featured
- 'The American Servicemembers’ Protection Act and the Dodd Amendment: Shaping United States Engagement with the ICC (Part II),' Just Security - February 14, 2023, co-author
- 'Introducing the Symposium on U.S. Support for the ICC’s Trust Fund for Victims,' Just Security - February 13, 2023, co-author
- 'The next 100 years of international law,' Global Arbitration Review - February 6, 2023, co-author
- 'Reinvesting in international law: five key takeaways,' Global Arbitration Review - December 1, 2021, co-author
- 'A Duty to Disclose, a Duty to Inquire: French and European Courts Address an Arbitrator’s Independence and Impartiality,' LexisPSL - September, 27, 2021, co-author
- 'Vienna Arbitration Days: How to Deal with Biases and Cultural Differences and Other Practical Issues,' Kluwers Arbitration Blog - April 18, 2019, co-author
- 'Damages Principles in Investment Arbitration,' The Guide to Damages in International Arbitration - Third Edition - November 1, 2018, co-author
- 'European Funds Comment: Sovereign Wealth Funds Respond to Climate Change Risks and Opportunities,' Issue 53 - October 19, 2018, co-author
- 'Damages Principles in Investment Arbitration,' The Guide to Damages in International Arbitration - Second Edition - March 2018, co-author
- 'IBA Arbitration Country Guide - United States,' IBA Arbitration Country Guide - February 2018, co-author
- 'Corruption in International Arbitration: Challenges and Consequences,' Global Arbitration Review - August 29, 2017, co-author
Admissions
- New York, 2008
- Paris, 2009
- Solicitor in England & Wales, 2014
Education
- University of Pennsylvania Law School, 2007, LL.M.
- Université Paris II Panthéon-Assas, 2005, M.A.
Languages
- English
- French
Memberships
- ArbitralWomen, Board of Directors (2022-2024)
- International Arbitration Committee of the American Branch of the International Law Association (ABILA), Board of Directors and Co-Chair
- International Law Weekend, Co-Chair (2022-2023)
- USA Sub-Committee of the Equal Representation in Arbitration Pledge (2021-present), Member
- New York Regional Representative of the ICC Young Arbitrators Forum (2012-2014)
- The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), Associate Fellow
Clerkship
- Clerked for the Hon. Douglas P. Woodlock (2009-2011)
Withers History
- Joined 2024