Samaa A. Haridi is a partner in the International Dispute Resolution Group at Crowell & Moring's New York and London offices. Samaa's practice focuses on complex international litigation and arbitration proceedings involving joint ventures, international investments, service agreements, construction projects, contracts, banking and securities.

Samaa has been ranked by clients and peers in Chambers USA for International Arbitration (Nationwide), and has been described as being "deeply involved in complex matters in the Middle East, and clients value her Arabic and French language skills."

Samaa has significant experience representing corporations and financial institutions from the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and Asia, and has represented parties in proceedings under the arbitration rules of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (AAA/ICDR), the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).

Her prior experience includes working as an associate in Los Angeles, London and New York for two international firms.

Born in Switzerland, Samaa grew up in Belgium, Egypt, Morocco and France. After graduating First of her Class and obtaining her Diplôme d'Etudes Universitaires Générales with High Honors from the Cairo branch of the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne in 1995, Samaa was awarded the French Government's "Best Achievement" scholarship to pursue her studies at the Sorbonne University in Paris, France. There, she earned a License in Business Law (in 1996), a Maîtrise (J.D.) in International Business Transactions, with Honors (in 1997) and a Diplome d'Etudes Approfondies (LL.M.) in Private International Law and International Business Transactions (in 1998). Samaa then received one of two merit-based LL.M Scholarships awarded by the Sorbonne University to continue her studies at the University of San Diego School of Law in the United States, where she obtained an LL.M. in Comparative Law in 1999.

Samaa is a dual-qualified (United States/England & Wales) lawyer, and is admitted to practice in the U.S. in the states of New York and California. She is fluent in French and Arabic and is also conversant in Spanish.

Samaa chairs the New York Office's Women Attorneys' Network.

Arbitration Experience

• Advising an American investor in an arbitration proceeding against the Sultanate of Oman under the U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement in connection with the expropriation of an investment in the host state.
• Advising an American investor in an ICSID arbitration proceeding against the Government of Egypt under the U.S.-Egypt bilateral investment treaty in connection with the expropriation of an investment in the host state.
• Representing a fortune 500 company in a London-based ICC arbitration relating to a project in the United Arab Emirates.
• Representing a large organization in an ad hoc arbitration proceeding under the UNCITRAL Rules, involving allegations of breach of contract and corruption.
• Representing an Argentine company against a Chilean entity in an ICDR arbitration under Argentine law in connection with a breach of contract dispute in the energy sector.
• Represented a U.S. distributor of audio-visual products in an ICC arbitration proceeding under New York law against claims of breach of a Patent License Agreement by a South Korean global electronics company.
• Represented a Mexican company in an ICC Arbitration involving a joint venture dispute with U.S. limited partnerships.
• Represented a Swiss pension fund in an AAA/ICDR arbitration against a U.S. private equity fund over a multi-million dollar investment dispute.
• Represented a Malaysian joint venture in a dispute (under the LCIA Rules) related to the supply of equipment to an offshore oil platform in Qatar.
• Represented a large investment bank in an NASD arbitration against a Colombian corporation over the handling of promissory notes from a Mexican issuer.

Litigation/Regulatory Experience

• Represented a financial institution in an Enron-related S.E.C. enforcement proceeding involving allegations of securities violations.
• Represented a Chilean corporation in an S.E.C. enforcement proceeding over disclosures in S.E.C. filings.
• Participated in trial team that successfully defended a major U.S. computer retailer in a multi-million dollar sales contract litigation in federal court.
• Represented a large accounting firm in a securities class action in federal court for alleged inaccuracies in a registration statement.
• Defended a financial institution in a lawsuit by an investment bank for fraud and interference with prospective economic advantage.
• Represented mutual funds in several class action lawsuits brought by private investors alleging various securities violations.
• Defended financial institution in litigation involving false and misleading representations and omissions in connection with securities offerings.
• Defended master-franchisor of major real estate agency in civil action for fraud arising out of various real estate transactions.

Professional Affiliations

• Member of the Global Advisory Board of the ICDR Young & International
• Member of the ICC United Arab Emirates Commission on Arbitration
• Arbitration Committee Member of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York
• Member of Panel of Arbitrators of the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (CRCICA)
• Member of Panel of Arbitrators of the Dubai International Arbitration Center (DIAC)
• Member of the Editorial Board of the IBA Arbitration Committee's Newsletter
• New York County Lawyers Association (NYCLA - Volunteer Arbitrator and Mediator, Committee on Fee Disputes & Conciliation)
• ICC Young Arbitrators Forum (YAF)
• Arbitral Women
• Arab Bankers Association of North America (ABANA)
• International Bar Association (IBA)
• American Bar Association (ABA) Section of International Law
  • International Commercial Dispute Resolution Committee
  • International Litigation Committee
  • Middle East Committee
  • Women's Interest Network
• LCIA Young International Arbitration Group (YIAG)
• French-American Bar Association (FABA)