Haoyu Rao

Associate | London

Email Haoyu
+44 20 7597 6235
VCARD

Haoyu advises States, State-owned entities and private companies on public international law, international investment law, outbound investment protection, and international dispute resolution matters.

He has experience acting for both States and investors in ICSID arbitrations and investment treaty matters under other forum, including disputes concerning expropriation, treaty protection, sovereign regulatory measures and foreign investment structuring. He has also advised sovereign clients on matters before international and regional institutions and on broader public international law issues.

Haoyu graduated from Harvard Law School, Sciences Po Paris, Peking University, and Southwest University of Political Science and Law. He is admitted to the New York Bar and holds the PRC Legal Professional Qualification.

Haoyu speaks English, Mandarin and French.
 
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Me in a minute

I particularly enjoy working on matters that require both rigorous legal analysis and a practical understanding of commercial and geopolitical realities

I am passionate about helping clients navigate the intersection of international law, sovereign decision-making and cross-border investment. I particularly enjoy working on matters that require both rigorous legal analysis and a practical understanding of commercial and geopolitical realities. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to advise States, multinational corporations and private investors on complex international disputes and strategic investment protection.

Having studied and worked across China, France, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States, I bring an international and comparative perspective to my work. I am particularly interested in helping investors and businesses manage the legal risks associated with overseas investments and in supporting States as they address novel challenges arising under international law.


Experience

Energy Government
International arbitration Public international law

Talks

  • 1 February 2024 – Conference Chair, 10th Harvard International Arbitration Conference, Harvard Law School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
  • 3 March 2025 – Moderator, panel on 'Energy Arbitration in the Age of Transition', Harvard Law School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
  • 17 September 2025 – Panellist, 'International Law Through the Eyes of Practising Lawyers', Peking University, Beijing, China
  • 19 September 2025 – Panellist, 'When Host States Say No: How Chinese Companies Can Use International Law to Protect Their Investments', China International Investment Arbitration Forum & China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, Beijing, China
  • 22 October 2025 – Lecturer, 'Risks of Transactions Involving Sovereign States', Department of Justice of Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong SAR
  • 24 October 2025 – Moderator, panel on 'From Investment Tribunals to Domestic Courts: Post-Award Battles', 2025 Annual Conference of the China International Investment Arbitration Forum, Beijing, China

Admissions

  • New York State Bar (2025)

Education

  • Harvard University, Master of Laws (LL.M.)
  • Sciences Po Paris, Master en Droit Économique (Master in Economic Law)
  • Peking University, Juris Master (Summa Cum Laude)
  • Southwest University of Political Science and Law,  Bachelor of Laws (Summa Cum Laude)

Languages

  • English
  • Mandarin
  • French

Memberships

  • Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review, Executive Editor (2023)
  • Harvard International Law Journal, Senior Editor (2023)
  • Harvard Business Law Review, Senior Editor (2023)

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