Jean Paul Roekaert is an associate in the International Dispute Resolution Practice. He specializes in public international law and international arbitration, with a focus on investment treaty and commercial disputes. Jean Paul has experience working under various arbitral institutions and rules, including the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the International Center for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), and has handled disputes across diverse industries such as construction, mining and energy. His experience also includes the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments, post-award proceedings, internal and external investigations and advising clients on third-party funding and Section 1782 discovery applications.
Jean Paul holds a J.D. from the University of Notre Dame, where he was a founding member and senior editor of the Notre Dame Journal on Emerging Technologies. He also holds an LL.M. in international trade and investment law from the University of Amsterdam. His master’s thesis, titled “Investment Treaty Arbitration and the Trips Patent Waiver: Indirect Expropriation Analysis of Covid-19 Vaccine Patents,” was published in the Hastings International and Comparative Law Review.
Jean Paul is actively involved in the international arbitration community, serving as assistant editor for investment arbitration at Kluwer Arbitration Blog and Regional Representative for Young ICCA.
Before joining the firm, Jean Paul was an associate at a prominent international arbitration law firm in Madrid.
As Counsel
Representing the Republic of Ecuador in an ICSID arbitration concerning the termination and liquidation of an oil exploration and production contract.
Representing the Republic of Peru in an ICSID arbitration arising out of a concession contract for the construction and operation of a wastewater sanitation system.
Representing the Republic of Peru in an ICSID arbitration arising out of an irrigation infrastructure concession contract.
Conducting an investigation for a multinational quick-service restaurant franchisor in relation to unauthorized franchise transfers in Latin America.
Representing a Canadian food manufacturer in US federal court proceedings involving claims arising from a commercial distribution and non-circumvention agreement.
Representing a global media and entertainment company in an American Arbitration Association (AAA) commercial arbitration arising from the operation of a live broadcast event.
Representing a major international airport operator in an ICC arbitration arising from sub-concession agreements in a Caribbean state.
Representing a German automotive manufacturer in an ICDR arbitration concerning claims arising from the termination of a distribution agreement in Central America.
Advised a Swiss national on US discovery in support of foreign criminal proceedings in Switzerland.
Represented a Mexican financial institution in a cross-border commercial dispute with a US fintech company, securing a favorable settlement.
Advised a Spanish mining company on potential investment treaty claims against a Central African state concerning investments related to mineral prospecting, exploration and extraction agreements, as well as secured third-party funding to cover the arbitration costs.*
Represented a Mexican electric power infrastructure company in federal court proceedings seeking to recognize and enforce an international arbitration award against a Mexican state-owned energy company.*
Represented a Spanish construction company in federal court proceedings seeking to recognize and enforce an international arbitration award against a Central African state.*
Represented a Spanish renewable energy company in state court proceedings seeking to domesticate a foreign judgment against a Panamanian energy and infrastructure company.*
Represented a Spanish energy and infrastructure company in state court proceedings against a South American state-owned oil and gas company concerning a default on a financial instrument.*
Advised an investment consortium on the feasibility of pursuing claims in US courts against a South American state in relation to the expropriation of an insurance company.*
Obtained a favorable settlement for a Spanish healthcare company in a dispute against a US health and nutrition company arising from breaches of a distribution agreement.*
Represented a US investment banking and financial consulting firm in a commercial dispute with a real estate company, securing a favorable settlement.*
As Assistant to Arbitral Tribunals
ICSID arbitration concerning investments in a mining concession in a South American state.*
ICSID arbitration concerning investments in the management and operation of resorts and recreational facilities in a Central Asian state.*
ICSID arbitration concerning investments in a port concession in a South American state.*
ICC arbitration concerning the expansion of a major water-way infrastructure project in a Central American state.*
ICC arbitration concerning a contractual dispute over the ownership and control of shares in a US media company.*
Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC) emergency arbitration involving a request for interim measures concerning the execution of an EPC contract impacted by EU sanctions in the context of the Russo-Ukrainian conflict.*
Qatar International Center for Conciliation and Arbitration (QICCA) arbitration involving a contractual dispute over the interpretation of a lease agreement.*
*Denotes experience earned prior to joining the firm.