Galiya Balgabaeva

Galiya is a Russian-qualified lawyer with over four years of experience in top-tier international and Russian law firms focusing on large-scale commercial cross-border disputes. 

Prior to the MIDS, Galiya has acted as counsel in numerous litigation and arbitration proceedings governed by substantive laws of England and Wales, the State of New York, Switzerland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Canada, and Russia. She has represented international and Russian corporate and individual clients operating in various industries, including banking, FMCG, construction, and IT. Her practice spans financial, M&A, environmental, IP disputes, and many other commercial matters. Galiya has advised athletes in arbitrations before the Court of Arbitration for Sport. She has a vast experience in sanctions-related disputes, including disputes based on Russian law on exclusive jurisdiction of Russian courts over cases arising out of sanctions.

Galiya obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degrees with distinction at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), majoring in international private law. She also completed a course on sanctions in 2023 in the Higher School of Economics. 

Galiya frequently acts as an arbitrator in moot courts and a mentee for trainees in her law firm. She is also a member of international arbitration networks, such as the Young ICCA and Russian Women in Arbitration.

Nationality

Russia

Working Languages

English

French

Russian

Areas of Expertise

International Commercial Arbitration

International Commercial Litigation

Sports Arbitration

Investment Treaty Arbitration

Private International Law