Sophie Grémaud

Full Profile

Sophie advises French and international companies, as well as States, in complex international disputes before arbitral tribunals and French courts. She has extensive experience in international commercial arbitration as well as investment arbitration, handling disputes from a variety of sectors such as natural resources, infrastructure, telecommunications, distribution and financial services (including insurance and reinsurance).

Sophie assists her clients at every stage of the arbitration process, whether it is ad hoc or governed by one of the main arbitration rules, including before the French courts (summary proceedings, annulment proceedings, enforcement). 

Sophie has developed an expertise in art-related disputes and is listed as arbitrator at the Court of Arbitration for Art. 

She also advises clients on AML-CFT (Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism) regulations and international sanctions.

Sophie is Vice President of the CEFAREA-ARIAS France, the arbitration institution specialised in insurance and reinsurance disputes, and a member of the arbitration commission. 

Sophie is mentioned as “technically excellent” in the Legal 500 (2020). She is also recognised among leading practitioners in the Legal 500 Private Practice Arbitration Powerlist: France (2023) and Best Lawyers in France: Ones to Watch™ (2024).  

Sophie is admitted to both the Paris and the New York Bars. She holds a master's degree in International Trade Law from the University of Paris I Panthéon – Sorbonne as well as an LL.M. from Cornell Law School (Ithaca, New York). She graduated with a LLB in English and French law from King’s College London and the University of Paris I Pantheon – Sorbonne.

Associations

• CEFAREA-ARIAS France (Vice-President of the Board, President of the Arbitration Commission)
• Association des Juristes de Panthéon et de King’s College (AJPK), 2006-2007

Experience

Arbitration

• Representing a multinational in an ICC post-M&A dispute in the mining sector 
• Representing a client in a CEFAREA-ARIAS arbitration on insurance coverage issues
• Representing the Republic of Cameroon in ICSID arbitration no. ARB/20/2 regarding an online financial platform aiming at funding community projects in Cameroon.
• Representing a State in an UNCITRAL arbitration in the infrastructure sector 
• Representing a multinational in an ICC post-M&A dispute in the metallurgy sector
• Representing the Republic of Cameroon in the ICSID no. ARB/15/18 annulment proceedings
• Representing a multinational in an ICC dispute arising out of the termination of a distribution contract in the Middle East 
• Representing an insurer in ad hoc arbitration on insurance coverage issues
• Representing a multinational against a State in an ICC dispute arising out of the termination of a contract for the supply and installation of telecommunications equipment in Africa 

Litigation

• Advising and representing clients in arbitration-related proceedings before the French courts: summary proceedings, set-aside, enforcement
• Advising and representing French and international companies in complex international commercial litigation proceedings before the French courts, notably in the sector of fine art and specie

Advisory

• Advising French and international companies in matters relating to anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing, as well as to international sanctions

Publications

• "L'arbitrage : une solution adaptée pour les litiges en assurance et réassurance ?" ("Arbitration: a suitable solution for insurance and reinsurance disputes?"), L'Argus de l'Assurance, 19 June 2024
• Co-author of Chapter on Article V(1)(e) Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, H. Kronke et al., Kluwer - upcoming
• Co-author of a chapter on French law in ICLG Insurance & Reinsurance 2016, 2021, 2022, 2023
• Contribution to the Annual Review of the CEFAREA-ARIAS France: 
  • L'arbitre face à la corruption et au blanchiment de capitaux ( "The arbitrator against corruption and money laundering" ) - 2020
  • Les perspectives des obligations de loyauté et de célébrité ("The perspectives of the duties of loyalty and celebrity") - 2018