Partner, Sidley Austin LLP
David Roney is Co-Leader of Sidley Austin LLP’s Global Arbitration, Trade and Advocacy practice. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, he has more than 25 years of experience as an advocate in a broad range of complex international disputes around the world. According to Who’s Who Legal, clients report that David “provides that edge you are looking for at the top of the arbitration market; he is brilliant regarding commercially sensitive proceedings.”
David has acted as counsel before international arbitral tribunals in commercial and investment disputes involving many different sectors and activities, including construction, infrastructure and energy projects, intellectual property licensing, technology co-development agreements, sports and entertainment broadcasting arrangements, manufacturing agreements, distribution and sales contracts, share purchase and asset purchase transactions, international joint ventures, sponsorship arrangements and sports. These disputes have involved a host of different applicable laws and places of arbitration ranging from London to Stockholm to Hong Kong. In addition, David has served as presiding arbitrator, sole arbitrator and co-arbitrator in numerous international arbitrations under the ICC Rules, the LCIA Rules, the SCC Rules, the Swiss Rules and in ad hoc arbitration, including under the UNCITRAL Rules.
David features prominently in the international arbitration rankings of the leading bar publications, such as Chambers, Global Arbitration Review, Who’s Who Legal and Best Lawyers. According to Chambers, clients describe David as “highly experienced and an excellent strategist”, and “his skill in cross-examination is also singled out for praise”. In Who’s Who Legal, sources commented: “His towering strength is the tactical preparation and execution of the hearing, including the examination of witnesses. He is able to understand the commercial and, more importantly, the complex technical background of the case extremely quickly”. David has been named a 2020 International Arbitration “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in Switzerland as well as a “Global Leader” for Arbitration by Who’s Who Legal every year since 2018.
David is Co-Founder and President of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for International Arbitration Advocacy (FIAA). In that capacity, he has provided training in the examination and cross-examination of fact and expert witnesses to hundreds of international arbitration practitioners around the world. In addition, David is a Member of the Arbitration Court of the Swiss Arbitration Centre and a Member of the Users Council of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre. He speaks and publishes regularly on international arbitration topics.
Working languages
English
French
Areas of Expertise
Investment Arbitration
International Arbitration
Energy Law