Published on 5 November 2024 in Client Alerts
The 2025 editions of both Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners have recognised Volterra Fietta as the leading firm for Public International Law and International Arbitration.
Volterra Fietta has always been ranked in the top Band or Tier for Public International Law by all the global legal directories since the firm was founded. Volterra Fietta’s lawyers continue to be recognised by Legal 500, Chambers and Partners and other leading directories and awards around the world for their expertise in Public International Law. A full list of the firm’s recent accolades can be found here.
In the 2025 edition of Legal 500, Volterra Fietta and its lawyers are ranked Tier 1 in the category of Public International Law and ranked in the category of International Arbitration (United Kingdom) and International Arbitration (Latin America: International Firms). In the 2025 edition of Chambers and Partners, Volterra Fietta is ranked Band 1 for Public International Law (UK-wide) and also ranked in the category of International Arbitration: Investor-State Arbitration.
Volterra Fietta team members continue to be recognised in individual rankings:
Partner Ahmed Abdel Hakam is recognised as a “Next Generation Partner” in this year’s Legal 500. Ahmed is identified in the directories by clients and peers as “hard-working and responsive” and a “state-to-state disputes expert”, “whose investment treaty caseload covers energy and natural resources” and who “brings almost two decades of experience at leading law firms to the table”.
Partner Gunjan Sharma is also recognised as a “Next Generation Partner” by Legal 500 and referred to as a “superb legal counsel”. He is also ranked as an “Up and Coming” partner by Chambers and Partners. Gunjan is described in the directories by clients and peers as follows: “His analyses are precise”; “his strategic guidance is clear and comprehensive”; he is a “superb legal counsel” who is “strategic and personable”; and “Gunjan Sharma’s profound insights into civil law, public international law, commercial practices, and multicultural legal frameworks are invaluable.”
Legal 500 also recognises partner Peter Flint as having decades of experience acting for “states and investors”. Peter has a global practice in “disputes involving investment treaties and host state investment protection legislation”.
Counsel Angela Ha and associate Magdalena Kowalczuk Asher are ranked as “Leading Associates” by Legal 500. Angela is noted as having been praised by clients for her experience in international investment law, sovereign immunities, law of the sea, boundary disputes and human rights. Magdalena is called “outstanding” and known for her “responsiveness, dependability and superior legal acumen”.
Associates Florentine Vos and Ben Burnham are also identified as “key team members” of Volterra Fietta.
Partner Robert Volterra continues to be ranked in Legal 500’s elite “Hall of Fame”, for both Public International Law and International Arbitration. Chambers and Partners also continues to rank Robert as a “Star Individual” in Public International Law, a Band 1 International Arbitrator and is also ranked for International Arbitration. The two directories note that clients and peers describe Robert as “one of the best public international lawyers of his generation”, “a leading figure in the UK and globally” who is “very knowledgeable, straightforward, drafts effectively and thinks super strategically”. They note that clients say Robert is “fearless” yet “very easy to work with”, “always ready and prepared to help” and “a very seasoned lawyer with exceptional legal and case management skills” who “shows extraordinary dedication to his clients in his service” and “thinks super strategically on complicated cases”.
In the 2025 editions of Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners, the firm is described by the editors, peers and clients as follows:
“Volterra Fietta is a market-leading firm in international arbitration, particularly public international law disputes.”
“The firm has real strength and depth of experience, and is well-placed for the most complex and demanding public international law disputes.”
“[Volterra Fietta is] a strong team.”
“Volterra Fietta are impeccable. They are world class and true specialists.”
“Volterra Fietta have always been available and on time.”
“Volterra Fietta is intellectually exceptionally strong.”
“The firm is unrivalled in its handling of complex matters. The strategy they adopted proved their effectiveness and ability to grasp complex issues and anticipate early the direction of the case.”
“It is rare to find the level of expertise Volterra Fietta has.”
“The overall strategy that was adopted by Volterra Fietta proved the effectiveness and their real ability to grasp complex issues and anticipate early the direction of the case.”
“They are great strategists and are very detail-oriented.”
“The service level is excellent and responses are immediate.”
“Volterra Fietta have a very strong team and a clear understanding of sovereign entities and international organisations.”
“Volterra Fietta has an almost unique understanding of the public international law landscape. The firm provides bespoke advice of the highest quality.”
“The team provides clear advice and is very thorough and precise.”
Volterra Fietta is grateful to its many clients around the world who have chosen Volterra Fietta as their trusted adviser for Public International Law and International Dispute Resolution and for making their views known to the global legal directories. The lawyers at the firm are proud to be recognised by the leading directories for their team’s expertise as a global player in Public International Law and International Dispute Resolution. These rankings and the comments from our clients and peers, repeating consistently year on year, reflect the global recognition of the expertise and excellence of the firm.
For further information, please contact info@volterrafietta.com.
On 21 November 2024, Volterra Fietta partner Ahmed Abdel-Hakam was appointed to the International Law Committee of the New York City Bar Association. Ahmed’s selection by the New York City Bar Association was made despite the fact that he is not a member of the Association or even qualified to practice in New York. It
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