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As a highly rated lead advocate, Tom Wilson advises states, state-owned entities, other developers, contractors and engineers in resolving disputes arising from infrastructure assets. Many of his cases arise from the energy and transportation sectors. Chambers Global has noted that Tom is “a very strong construction lawyer” (2025) who “understands the Middle East very well” (2019) and has a “wealth of experience representing clients in significant ICC arbitrations” (2021). Legal 500 reports that Tom “does it all, with the knowledge and experience to back it up”, and that he “is a persuasive and well-prepared advocate” (2025).
Tom also advises on project delivery, risk allocation and risk management, and serves as project counsel working closely with clients to avoid or resolve disputes during the pendency of complex projects.
Tom has served on the firm’s Global Board, co-chairs our Middle East practice and heads our construction and arbitration practices in the region. Tom is a fellow of the International Academy of Construction Lawyers (int-acl.org) and occasionally sits as arbitrator.
- Oil Field Development – Counsel to and advocate for a state-owned entity in what is acknowledged to be the largest arbitration in the world – a US$100 billion plus UNCITRAL arbitration arising from the development of an oil field in Asia.
- LNG Terminal – Counsel to an advocate for a European Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) buyer in a dispute arising from the completion and commercial operation of an LNG terminal in the US.
- National Rail Project – Advising a state-owned entity developing a national rail network on the avoidance of claims and disputes with its many contractors.
- Investment Treaty Cases – Counsel to, and advocate for a middle eastern state in multiple investment treaty arbitrations arising from purported investments in construction projects in the state’s power and pharmaceutical industries.
- International Airport Construction – Counsel to a state entity in an international arbitration arising from the construction of a state-of-the-art terminal at a major international airport.
- Hamad International Airport Project – Served as lead disputes counsel to the government on the construction of the US$15 billion Hamad International Airport in Qatar. The engagement included serving as lead advocate in two ICC arbitrations and an LICA arbitration.
- Riyadh Metro Project – Served as project counsel to a consortium of contractors and OEMs performing a circa US$10 billion contract for the construction of the Riyadh metro system.
- Downstream Oil and Gas Engineering and Construction – Served as project counsel to the developer of a US$2.2 billion oil refinery and advised the client in the successful settlement of disputes with its EPC contractor.
Work As Arbitrator
- Sole arbitrator, presiding arbitrator and party-nominated arbitrator in more than 30 arbitrations, including matters administered by the ICC, LCIA, DIAC and ADCCAC, and ad hoc matters under UNCITRAL rules. Appointed in arbitrations arising from the construction and infrastructure, air transport, real estate and financial industries.
Education
- University of Tennessee, J.D., 1995
- Sewanee: University of the South, A.B., 1990
Admissions
- DIFC, Dubai
- Georgia
Memberships & Affiliations
- Fellow of the International Academy of Construction Lawyers (int-acl.org)
- International Bar Association, past Co-Chair of the International Construction Projects Committee (ICP)
- Recognized in Chambers Global in each of the past 13 years for Construction: Dispute Resolution
- Recognized in Lexology as a “Thought Leader - Construction”
- “Dispute Boards in the Middle East: Why We Haven’t Used Them, and Overcoming Obstacles to Their Use,” ICC Middle East Seminar, Dubai, November 2015, and Doha, February 2016.
- “The Middle East: Overcoming the Challenges of Building in a Fast-Changing Market,” Chartered Institute of Building Seminar, London, November 24, 2015.
- “The Client’s Role in Preparing the Case for Arbitration: Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Case Preparation,” A paper given at the SCL (Gulf) Conference in Dubai, April 24, 2014.
- Speaker, “Protect Your Profits: Avoiding and Resolving Disputes in the Construction Industry,” Patton Boggs Construction Dispute Resolution Seminar, April 22, 2014.
- “The UCC Rail Project: Interconnection of the GCC States from Oman to Kuwait,” International Bar Association Section on Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law Conference, April 22, 2012.