University of California, Berkeley - School of Law
I am a senior commercial and construction lawyer advising businesses on complex contracting, delivery risk, and executive decision‑making across multiple sectors and jurisdictions. My career has been defined by working directly with project, commercial, and C‑suite leadership—often functioning as in‑house counsel in all but title—on high‑value, high‑risk matters in the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East. I support organizations in structuring, negotiating, and managing sophisticated commercial and construction arrangements. My work spans EPC and FIDIC contracting, disciplined risk allocation, JV and consortium structures, claims management, dispute avoidance, and cross‑border commercial relationships. While the past 10+ years have included significant exposure to capital development programs and major infrastructure initiatives, my broader background includes commodities trade financing, hospitality, tobacco, corporate contracting, and international commercial disputes. I am known for commercially grounded judgment, calm decision‑making under pressure, and advice that is practical, clear, and outcome‑focused. My approach centers on enabling business objectives—helping leaders understand which risks matter, how to contract for them, and how to manage downside without defaulting to defensive legal positions. Trained in top‑tier international firms and seasoned through years of embedded work with executive teams, I bring a blend of legal rigor, operational understanding, and strategic communication. I strengthen contracting standards, manage external counsel, support governance and escalation, and partner closely with senior stakeholders to deliver results on complex, high‑exposure matters.
Senior legal advisor supporting complex infrastructure and capital programs, operating in an embedded, business‑facing capacity alongside project, commercial, and executive leadership. Built and led the Saudi construction advisory practice, operating as an extension of client in‑house legal teams. Support standardization of contract templates and contracting processes, oversee external counsel, and provide clear, decision‑ready guidance to senior stakeholders on complex, high‑exposure matters. Advised on front‑end contracting and risk strategy on major developments, with a focus on design‑build and EPC arrangements, risk allocation, and dispute avoidance across the project lifecycle. Regularly advised on high‑risk pursuits, delivery‑phase issues, and escalation decisions, helping teams balance legal risk with constructability, schedule, cost, and reputational considerations. Expert claims management and dispute avoidance and resolution guidance.
Co‑founded and helped scale the Geneva office, advising executives on risk allocation, exposure management, and dispute avoidance across large‑scale, cross‑border infrastructure and energy programs. Member of Orrick’s international arbitration practice and construction and project advisory working group, with a career focus on complex capital projects, executive risk strategy, and in‑house–style legal support for owners, developers, and sponsors. Over time, expanded role beyond disputes into front‑end project and contract advisory, supporting alternative delivery structures and commercially grounded decision‑making. Frequently acted as de facto in‑house counsel on multi‑billion‑dollar development programs, owning contracts, claims positioning, escalation strategy, and coordination with external counsel, and partnering closely with C‑suite and project leadership throughout the project lifecycle.
Primarily practice in the area of international litigation and arbitration, with a particular focus on complex, high-value disputes involving major infrastructure construction projects, and consortia and joint venture agreements.
Career Break: Family Relocation & Childcare