Overview
Joseph R. Profaizer is the Global Co-Chair of Paul Hastings’ International Arbitration practice, a former vice-chair of the firm’s Washington, D.C. office, and an adjunct professor of law at Georgetown University Law Center. He maintains a first-chair arbitration and litigation practice that focuses exclusively on complex international disputes. In 2023, Law360 recognized Mr. Profaizer as one of four “MVPs” in international arbitration in the United States.
Mr. Profaizer, a U.S.-qualified attorney and English-qualified Solicitor, has practiced in both the United States and England, and served as counsel in threatened or actual litigation or arbitration in over 70 countries. He has successfully represented clients in courts at both the trial and appellate levels, as well as in over 100 international arbitrations under the rules of the ICC, the AAA/ICDR, the LCIA, the SIAC, the HKIAC, ICSID, JAMS, CEPANI, CeCAP, and UNCITRAL. Mr. Profaizer has an established track record of achieving significant successes for his clients, including successfully representing them in disputes totaling tens of billions of dollars and obtaining tens of millions of dollars in fees and costs awards on their behalf.
Mr. Profaizer represents U.S., Asian, Latin American, European, and other global public and private corporations as well as foreign sovereigns and their instrumentalities in a wide range of complex multi-jurisdictional cross-border disputes. His industry experience spans construction, contract, energy, e-commerce, hotel/hospitality, insurance, intellectual property, investment, joint venture, licensing, media, pharmaceutical, private equity, securities, and technology disputes. He also sits as arbitrator.
Recognitions
Mr. Profaizer, a 2023 Law360 “MVP” in international arbitration, is consistently ranked as a leading attorney in international arbitration by Chambers and Partners Global: The World's Leading Lawyers for Business (2013-present), Chambers and Partners USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business (2008-present), Euromoney's Commercial Arbitration Expert Guide (2017-present), The Legal 500 (United States) (2007-2013, 2017-present), Who's Who Legal: Arbitration (2015 & 2021), and Best Lawyers In America (2021-present).
According to Chambers:
- “Joseph Profaizer of Paul Hastings LLP is highly regarded for his strengths in commercial and investment treaty disputes … Commentators characterize him as ‘a great legal mind with a profound intellect,’ with sources revealing that ‘his technical skills and commercial insights make him an exceptionally effective litigator and negotiator.’”
- "Joseph Profaizer is praised for his ability ‘to be open to the dynamics of the case.’ His expertise includes both commercial and investment treaty arbitration, and one client enthuses: ‘I give him high marks on everything.'"
- "Clients are united in their opinion that Mr. Profaizer is ‘the guy you go to if you want to get things done.’ Hard-working and attentive, he is ‘always on top of things and gifted with strong strategic vision.'"
- "Joseph Profaizer is held in high esteem by clients, who praise the ‘depth and breadth of his knowledge and his excellent strategic approach.'"
- "Joseph Profaizer of Paul Hastings LLP is ‘an excellent technician who is also excellent at mapping out a strategy and the steps to articulate an argument and win,’ remark interviewees."
- "Joseph Profaizer of Paul Hastings LLP is ‘a joy to work with’ and his ‘commercial and analytical skills are really second to none,’ according to interviewees.”
- "Clients praise Joseph Profaizer for his ability to ‘hone in on the important aspects and make you really think through the issues.' He handles commercial, political risk and investor-state arbitrations."
- "Joseph Profaizer's 'insightful advice, sound judgment and broad experience are invaluable resources in sensitive matters,' say sources. He has a solid practice covering investor-state and commercial arbitration work."
- "His responsiveness is swift and he provides focus and attention no matter what time of day or day of the week, which makes him not only a vital resource, but incredibly reliable."
- "Joe is an exceptionally gifted arbitration attorney. He knows all of the intricate nuances of arbitration procedure, and he is a skilled tactician who is always thinking several moves ahead of his adversaries."
The Legal 500 (United States) reports that:
- "Joe Profaizer provides clients with ‘quality of service that is nothing short of brilliant,’ and ‘possesses, according to one UK-based client, ‘all-round qualities that are so exceptional, I wrote to the Law Society telling them so.’"
- Joseph Profaizer’s “[d]epth and breadth of knowledge in the subject matter but, more importantly, the potential strategy and environment of the ‘other side’ prove invaluable.”
- "Washington-DC based Joseph Profaizer provides ‘faultless service.’ With ‘an exceptionally pleasant demeanor,’ he is a highly knowledgeable litigator with experience litigating in over 35 countries across a range of industry sectors."
- "Joseph Profaizer is recommended for his ‘expertise’ and ‘great experience combined with an operational understanding.’"
In both 2023 and 2024, he was named a “first runner-up” for “Litigator of the Week” for wins in the Mitsubishi Tanabe and Daiichi Sankyo arbitrations. In 2018, the National Law Journal recognized Mr. Profaizer one of 40 “ADR Champions” in the United States.
Mr. Profaizer’s “all-round qualities as a lawyer” have been recognized by the Global Arbitration Review in their annual ranking, the GAR 100. He has been listed by GAR 100 as a "name to know" every year from 2009 to the present.
Education
- London School of Economics, L.L.M., 1999 (with merit)
- University of Texas at Austin, J.D., 1993 (Research and Submissions Editor of the Texas International Law Journal)
- University of Texas at Austin, B.A., 1990 (magna cum laude; Special Honors)
Representations
- Served as one of five leading counsel in securing a zero-dollar liability win for Daiichi Sankyo in one of the largest arbitrations in the history of the AAA/ICDR. In that arbitration, Seagen sought more than US$27.5 billion in damages and royalties, along with worldwide rights to Daiichi Sankyo's cancer drugs and its proprietary antibody drug conjugate technology used to treat patients with cancer. The arbitral tribunal found $0 liability and awarded over $46 million in fees and costs. Successfully defended the award in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.
- Served as co-lead counsel for Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation in a US$2+ billion ICC arbitration against Novartis Pharma AG. The Tribunal denied all of Novartis’s claims, and awarded our client more than US$22 million in fees and costs. This licensing dispute involved critical systemic global issues of first impression riding royalties, patent rights, know-how, and public policy issues with respect to IP and competition law of the United States, the European Union, and Japan. The seat of the arbitration was London and the governing law was Japanese law.
- Served as lead counsel for a U.S. private equity real estate fund in parallel HKIAC and CIETAC arbitrations arising out of a PRC-foreign real estate joint venture dispute in excess of US$200 million. Obtained all of the substantive relief requested by the client plus US$6+ million in fees and costs. The seat of the arbitration was Hong Kong and the applicable law was Hong Kong and PRC law. Successfully enforced the successful award in Hong Kong courts.
- Served as lead counsel for an Asian construction machinery manufacturer in a US$1.4 billion ICC arbitration brought by a prominent U.S. company arising from a joint venture. The contract was governed by Illinois law and the arbitration was seated in Paris.
- Served as co-lead counsel for an Asian conglomerate in an ICDR/AAA arbitration involving a contract dispute over buy-back rights for a joint venture. We secured a complete victory for our client (100% of the amount requested), allowing our client to recover over US$75 million, including over US$4.5 million in costs and attorneys’ fees.
- Served as co-lead counsel for a leading Japanese manufacturer in an LCIA arbitration seated in London concerning the dissolution of a multi-billion dollar joint venture with a European conglomerate. Secured a final award that reflected all of the relief that our client requested, including the costs of the arbitration.
- Served as co-lead counsel in a political risk insurance arbitration based on claims of expropriation and discrimination by a Latin American sovereign. Defeated US$50 million claim in a UNCITRAL arbitration seated in New York. Successfully defended the award in a subsequent action to vacate the award in U.S. District Court.
- Served as lead counsel in a tripartite ad hoc international insurance arbitration seated in New York. Secured a favorable ruling in parallel litigation in the Southern District of New York concerning non-signatories to the arbitration. Following a week-long merits hearing, the arbitral tribunal issued a final award that found no liability for our client.
- Represented leading Chinese media company in a HKIAC arbitration seated in Hong Kong against a European licensor of one of the most popular television programs in the world.
- Served as lead counsel in a complex tripartite ICDR arbitration for US $10 million. Following a two-week merits hearing, the tribunal found no liability for our client.
- Served as counsel for a Mexican corporation in an ICC arbitration seated in New York regarding a shareholder dispute. Successfully defeated a request for injunctive relief brought by the claimant shareholder.
- Served as lead counsel for a leading Chinese technology and automotive company in an ICC arbitration against a leading U.S. technology company in a dispute over a licensing agreement concerning intellectual property rights.
- Represented a South Korean company in federal court litigation against a U.S. company in a dispute concerning a long-term supply agreement for high-technology products. Moved to compel arbitration and obtained a complete dismissal of the entire case with prejudice, without any subsequent arbitration. See Burnham Enterprises, LLC v. DACC Co., Ltd., DACC-Aerospace Co., Ltd., and Lotte Chemical Corp. (2:12-cv-00111-WKW-SRW).
- Served as lead counsel for an entrepreneur and related privately-held company with institutional investors in a HKIAC arbitration seated in Hong Kong regarding an educational services venture in the People’s Republic of China.
- Represented French, U.S. and Dominican companies in three parallel treaty and contract arbitrations against the Dominican Republic in connection with the purchase of an electricity distribution company in that country. The arbitrations included the second arbitration ever filed under the Central American – Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement. The arbitrations settled on extremely favorable terms for the investor.
- Obtained precedent-setting federal appellate decision permitting interim relief pending constitution of arbitral tribunal. (Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas v. Continental Tire North America et al., 609 F.3d 975 (9th Cir. 2010)). On remand, obtained injunctive relief from US District Court pending decision on merits by ICC tribunal in international distribution dispute.
- Served as lead counsel in an international trade credit insurance arbitration seated in New York under New York law. Following a three-day merits hearing, the tribunal found no liability for our client.
- Served as lead counsel in securing complete dismissal for Central America's largest independent beverage producer and distribution company in a question of first impression in US Courts involving the respective roles of the 21st Amendment to the US Constitution, the New York Convention, the Federal Arbitration Act, and California state law.
- Served as lead counsel for Latin American development bank in a suit to enforce a judgment issued by the Bolivian courts. Won a decisive early victory in which the New York federal district court denied the plaintiff's request for jurisdictional discovery under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act. After the court's ruling, the plaintiff agreed to dismiss the case with prejudice, acknowledge the immunity of the bank and its assets in the United States, and pay certain attorneys' fees and costs to the bank.
- Served as a testifying expert before a Canadian court on the U.S. law of tort, forum non conveniens and personal jurisdiction on behalf of a Canadian client. In an opinion of first impression in the Canadian courts, the court dismissed all of the US$25 million in claims against the client for lack of personal jurisdiction.
- Served as co-lead counsel for the Republic of the Philippines in parallel arbitrations brought under UNCITRAL and ICSID arbitration rules seated in Hong Kong and in litigation in U.S. Courts in connection with recovery of state-related assets.
- Served as lead counsel in the defense of a privately-held English technology company in a bet-the-company LCIA arbitration against a U.S. claimant. Prior to the hearing, the claimant withdrew all causes of action against the client and agreed to give full and final rights to the technology at issue in the dispute.
news
- Paul Hastings Secures Victory in an International Arbitration for Mitsubishi Tanabe - May 6th, 2024
- Paul Hastings Recognized by The American Lawyer for Victory in Multi-Billion Dollar International Life Sciences Dispute - April 12th, 2024
- Jonice M. Gray, Joe Profaizer, and Scott Joachim Appointed to Law360’s 2024 Editorial Advisory Boards - March 22nd, 2024
- Joe Profaizer Named 2023 International Arbitration “MVP” by Law360 - November 3rd, 2023
- Four Paul Hastings Partners Recognized as 2023 “MVPs” by Law360 - October 2nd, 2023
- Paul Hastings Recognized by Chambers Global 2022 - February 21st, 2022
- Paul Hastings Ranked as Top Three Firm for New Rankings and Recognized for Numerous Practice Strength and Growth in Chambers USA 2021 - May 21st, 2021
- Paul Hastings Practices and Lawyers Score Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2020 - May 1st, 2020
- Lotte Chemical USA Sells Membership Interests in LACC to Eagle US for US$816.5 million - November 14th, 2019
- Paul Hastings Practices and Lawyers Score Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2019 - May 1st, 2019
- Paul Hastings Practices and Lawyers Score Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2018 - May 11th, 2018
- Paul Hastings Practices and Lawyers Score Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2017 - June 5th, 2017
- Paul Hastings Practices and Lawyers Score Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2016 - June 8th, 2016
- Paul Hastings Practices and Lawyers Score Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2015 - May 20th, 2015
- Paul Hastings Practices and Lawyers Score Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2014 - May 27th, 2014
- Paul Hastings Extensive Practice Strength Highlighted in The Legal 500 United States 2013 - June 5th, 2013
- Paul Hastings Employment Practice Honored with Chambers ''Award for Excellence'' and Firms Leading Practices and Lawyers Ranked in Chambers USA 2013 - May 27th, 2013
- Paul Hastings Leads Lotte Chemical Corporation to U.S. Trade Secrets Litigation Victory - January 9th, 2013
- Paul Hastings Excels in Chambers USA 2012 Guide - June 7th, 2012
- Paul Hastings Excels in Chambers USA 2011 Guide - June 10th, 2011
Recognitions
- Joe Profaizer Named 2023 International Arbitration “MVP” by Law360 - November 3rd, 2023
- Four Paul Hastings Partners Recognized as 2023 “MVPs” by Law360 - October 2nd, 2023
- Paul Hastings Recognized for Legal Excellence in the Legal 500 2022 - June 13th, 2022
- Paul Hastings Complex Litigation and Arbitration Practice Recognized by Chambers USA 2022 - June 1st, 2022
- Paul Hastings Recognized by Chambers Global 2022 - February 21st, 2022
- Paul Hastings Litigation Practice Recognized by Chambers USA 2021 - May 28th, 2021
- Recognized by Chambers USA 2021 - May 21st, 2021
- Recognized by Chambers USA 2020 - May 1st, 2020
- Ranked by Chambers USA 2019 - April 26th, 2019
- Recognized by Chambers Global 2019 - February 14th, 2019
- Recognized by Chambers USA 2018 - May 15th, 2018
- Recognized as a 2018 National Law Journal ADR Champion - May 15th, 2018
- Recognized by Chambers USA 2017 - June 5th, 2017
- Recognition by the Global Arbitration Review's GAR 100 - April 12th, 2017
- Recognized by Chambers USA 2016 - June 8th, 2016
- Global Arbitration Review - February 26th, 2015
- Paul Hastings Soars in 2012 Edition of Legal 500 US - June 14th, 2012
- Recognized by Chambers USA 2012 - June 7th, 2012
- Recognized by Chambers USA 2011 - June 10th, 2011
- Paul Hastings Soars in 2011 Legal 500 US - June 1st, 2011
insights
- With Japan's Ratification, the Singapore Mediation Convention Gains International Momentum - March 20th, 2024
- The Russia-Ukraine War: Establishing a Claims Compensation Process - November 14th, 2023
- PH Arbitration Speedread: English Court Sets Aside Multibillion-Dollar Award Procured by Fraud - October 30th, 2023
- U.S. Supreme Court Approves Foreign Plaintiff’s Use of Civil RICO in Connection with Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards - June 26th, 2023
- HKIAC as First and Only outside Mainland China: Named by China International Commercial Court on One-Stop Platform for Diversified International Commercial Dispute Resolution - August 29th, 2022
- Looking Back on the Supplemental Arrangement on Mainland-Hong Kong Mutual Enforcement of Arbitral Awards - April 19th, 2022
- The Current International Arbitration Practice and Challenges for Japanese Corporations - January 9th, 2022
- High Court of England and Wales Allows Challenge of Arbitral Award for “Serious Irregularity” Where the Tribunal Admitted Its Mistake in Calculating Quantum - February 9th, 2021
- U.K. Supreme Court Clarifies Rules on Apparent Bias in Relation to Multiple Appointments of Arbitrators - December 11th, 2020
- Not a Party, Not a Problem: SCOTUS Rules That Non-Signatories Can Enforce International Arbitration Agreements in U.S. Courts - June 3rd, 2020
- SCOTUS Grounds the “Wholly Groundless” Exception: Parties Can Delegate Arbitrability to Arbitrators - January 9th, 2019
- “Respectful Consideration”: U.S. Supreme Court Clarifies Deference Due to a Foreign State’s Interpretation of Its Law - June 27th, 2018
- U.S. Supreme Court Leaves Unresolved Circuit Split on Forum Non Conveniens Defense in Foreign Arbitration Award Enforcement Actions - January 19th, 2017
- ICC’s International Court of Arbitration Adopts Expedited Procedure Rules - November 21st, 2016
- Class (Not) Dismissed: CFPB Proposes New Rule Prohibiting Mandatory Arbitration Clauses, Encourages Consumer Class Action Law Suits - May 12th, 2016
- Its Not That Special: U.S. Supreme Court Decides its First Investment Treaty Arbitration Case - March 13th, 2014
- Whats So Special About Treaty Arbitration?: U.S. Supreme Court Confronts Its First International Investment Treaty Arbitration Case - December 16th, 2013
- UPDATED: Breakdown Between CIETAC Central Authority and Sub-Commissions Prompts Second Look at Dispute Resolution Strategies in China - July 8th, 2013
- American Express Co. v. Italian Colors: Supreme Court Broadens The Impact of Class Action Waivers in Predispute Arbitration Agreements - June 25th, 2013
- U.S. Supreme Court to Hear an International Investment Treaty Arbitration Case - June 12th, 2013
Engagement & Publications
Mr. Profaizer is the author of numerous published articles, including:
- "Techniques and Tradeoffs for Incorporating Cost- and Time-Saving Measures into International Arbitration Agreements," Journal of International Arbitration (Issue 34.2) (2017) (with Adam J. Weiss And Erin E. Klisch);
- "Investment Disputes Involving the Renewable Energy Industry Under the Energy Charter Treaty," Global Arbitration Review: The Guide to Energy Arbitrations, eds. J. William Rowley QC, Doak Bishop and Gordon Kaiser (1st Edition (2015) & 2d Edition (2017) (with Igor V. Timofeyev, Charles A. Patrizia and Samuel W. Cooper);
- "Current Topics in International Arbitration," The Advocate (Winter 2013) (with Samuel W. Cooper and Christie A. Mathis);
- "Year in Review: Extraterritorial Application of U.S. Law," International Lawyer (with Charles A. Patrizia and Igor V. Timofeyev) (2013-2017);
- "Obtaining Injunctions in Aid of Arbitration in United States Federal Courts: Addressing a Potential Threshold Jurisdictional Bar" (2012) (with Daniel Prince);
- "Emerging Issues in the Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards" (2011);
- "International Arbitration: Now Getting Longer and More Costly" (2008);
- "Pre-Trial Proceedings in U.S. Courts" (1997) (with Gary B. Born);
- "A Practitioner’s Research Guide and Bibliography to International Civil Litigation" (1997) (with Jonathan Pratter) (1993); and
- "Economic Development and Environmental Law in China’s Special Economic Zones" (1993).
Mr. Profaizer regularly speaks at conferences, in-house seminars, law schools, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations on various aspects of international arbitration, international litigation, mediation and international law. He has taught or spoken in the United States, England, Canada, the Philippines, Germany, Bangladesh, South Korea and South Africa.
Mr. Profaizer’s analysis of international legal disputes has appeared in The Washington Post, The ABA Journal, The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones, Bloomberg, UPI, CNN Money, Reuters, Global Arbitration Review, Fox Business, Al Jazeera, Morningstar, Oil Daily, The Guardian of London, and Law360.
Faculty Member, Georgetown Law’s International Law Institute, 2022
Involvement
- Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University Law Center (Fall 2013-Present): "International Litigation and Arbitration: A Practitioner’s Approach"
- Law360 International Arbitration Editorial Advisory Board (2018-2020; 2022-2023)
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation (2024-present)
- Vice-Chair, International Arbitration Committee of the International Law Section, American Bar Association (2013-2015)
- Mr. Profaizer maintains an active pro bono practice, and in 2009, he received the Paul Hastings annual award for his pro bono contributions.
- Mr. Profaizer is a regular lecturer at the International Law Institute in Washington, D.C. on international dispute resolution, including international commercial arbitration, investor-state arbitration, the rule of law, and international commercial litigation
- Qualified Mediator (Texas 1994)
- Law Clerk to Judge George P. Kazen, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas (1993-1994)