Randa Adra is a partner in the New York office of Crowell & Moring, where she practices in the firm's International Dispute Resolution and Litigation groups. Randa counsels clients across the globe on complex international and domestic disputes.
Randa serves as a strategic advisor to clients throughout all stages of the dispute resolution process, from pre-dispute counseling and litigation risk assessments to trial and enforcement or annulment proceedings. In her international dispute resolution practice, Randa has a depth of experience in international commercial and investment arbitration matters under the rules of all major arbitral institutions. She also has a robust domestic arbitration and litigation practice, which includes representing clients in commercial litigation matters in both federal and state courts.
Randa is trilingual and has a particular expertise in disputes involving the Middle East and North Africa (“MENA”) region. She represents parties across a broad spectrum of industries, including health care, pharmaceuticals, construction, infrastructure, energy, hospitality, retail, and consumer products.
Representative Engagements
International Dispute Resolution
- Successfully defended a Fortune 100 medical device company in a $120 million commercial arbitration brought by an Israeli company under the ICC Rules of Arbitration, involving alleged breaches of a supply agreement governed by New York law.
- Represented a multinational joint venture in securing a $494 million award against an Egyptian state entity, and defeating a $500 million counterclaim. The arbitration was conducted in Arabic under the ICC Rules of Arbitration and governed by Egyptian law.
- Represented an Egyptian consortium and Kuwaiti supply chain management company in an $80 million commercial arbitration brought by a South Korean supplier under the ICC Rules of Arbitration.
- Successfully defended a major international hotel company in a commercial arbitration under the ICC Rules of Arbitration, governed by U.S. and Lebanese law.
- Represented a Canadian uranium mining company in its effort to enforce an international arbitration award against the Government of Mongolia.
- Represented an American hotel investor in an ICSID arbitration against the Arab Republic of Egypt under the U.S.-Egypt BIT.
Domestic Dispute Resolution
- Represented a multinational corporation in connection with a class action litigation and criminal antitrust investigation related to the pharmaceutical industry.
- Represented two multinational food chains in connection with false advertising class action litigations in multiple federal and state courts.
- Successfully defended a major international hotel company against tortious interference claims governed by U.S. and Lebanese law stemming from a related international arbitration.
- Successfully defended a chemical company in a Sherman Act Section 1 class action and opt-out litigation alleging conspiracy to fix the price of titanium dioxide, and successfully defended the company in a subsequent Third Circuit appeal.
Randa maintains an active pro bono practice, primarily focused on representing Middle Eastern clients in asylum and refugee resettlement proceedings. She has also represented dozens of low-income tenants in a NY State action bringing claims of fraudulent rent overcharges.
Randa sits on the firm’s Diversity Council and served as a leader of the Women’s Leadership Initiative for several years. She is also a co-founder of the firm’s MENA Affinity Group.
Randa earned her J.D. with specialization in international legal affairs from Cornell Law School, with an additional concentration in business law and regulation. After her first year of law school, she spent two months in Paris studying international and comparative law at Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne. She also served as a Managing Editor of the Cornell International Law Journal. Prior to law school, Randa grew up in Beirut, Lebanon, and earned her undergraduate degree with distinction from the American University of Beirut.
Affiliations
Admitted to practice: New York, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
Memberships
ArbitralWomen
American Bar Association – International Section, Dispute Resolution Section, Young Lawyers Division
New York City Bar Association – MENA Committee; Associate Leadership Institute Fellow (2018) and Planning Committee Member (2021)
Speeches & Presentations
Publications
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"Egypt's Outlook Toward Int'l Arbitration May Be Shifting," Law360
(December 13, 2021).
Authors: Randa Adra.
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"UK Ruling Evinces Conflict In Int'l Award Enforcement," Law360
(November 9, 2021).
Authors: Randa Adra, John Laird, and Edward Norman.
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"MENA Trade Secrets Law Review: United Arab Emirates," Crowell & Moring’s Trade Secrets Trends
(May 21, 2021).
Authors: Randa Adra and Lily C. Geyer.
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"The March Towards Cybersecurity Maturity In Arbitration," Web
(March 13, 2020).
Author: Randa Adra.
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"Arbitration in the United States," Getting the Deal Through – Arbitration 2016
(January 2016).
Co-Authors: Jack Thomas, Arlen Pyenson, and Randa Adra.
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"JV agreements and the dispute resolution clause: 5 useful points to consider," Inside Counsel
(November 19, 2014).
Co-Authors: Ian A. Laird and Randa Adra.
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"EC Merger Control Reforms: Do Good Things Actually Come in Small Packages?" ABA Young Lawyers Division Committee Newsletter, Vol. 1, No. 3
(Summer 2013).
Author: Randa Adra.
Client Alerts & Newsletters
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"See You In State Court: The U.S. Supreme Court Limits Federal Jurisdiction Over Petitions to Confirm and Vacate Arbitral Awards,"
International Dispute Resolution Alert
(April 5, 2022).
Contacts: Randa Adra, Jacob Harrison
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"2022 ICSID Amended Regulations and Rules – What Has Changed?,"
International Dispute Resolution Alert
(March 24, 2022).
Contacts: Randa Adra, Andrea Noujeim, Leslie Castello
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"Fifth Circuit Rejects the Enforcement of An International Arbitral Award Against Saudi Aramco on Sovereign Immunity Grounds,"
International Dispute Resolution Alert
(December 8, 2021).
Contacts: Randa Adra, John Laird
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"Supreme Court Unanimously Holds that Nonsignatories to an International Arbitration Agreement May Compel Arbitration,"
International Dispute Resolution Alert
(June 4, 2020).
Contacts: Randa Adra, Ian A. Laird
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"Virtual Arbitral Hearings, COVID-19, and Award Enforcement,"
International Dispute Resolution Alert
(April 29, 2020).
Contacts: Randa Adra, Ian A. Laird, Laurence Winston, John Laird
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"Amid Court Closures and COVID-Related Chaos, Arbitration Goes On,"
International Dispute Resolution Alert
(April 16, 2020).
Contacts: Randa Adra, Ian A. Laird, Laurence Winston, Edward Norman
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"In Unprecedented Move, DOJ Turns to Binding Arbitration in Merger Challenge,"
Antitrust Law Alert
(September 12, 2019).
Contacts: Randa Adra, Juan A. Arteaga, Wm. Randolph Smith
Press Coverage
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Crowell And Harneys Make Promotions
January 24, 2022 — Commercial Dispute Resolution
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Crowell Promotes In US And UK
January 12, 2022 — Global Arbitration Review
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ICC Qatar Webinar Sheds Light On Emerging Trends In Dispute Resolution
November 22, 2020 — Qatar Tribune
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Emerging Trends In International Disputes
November 22, 2020 — Qatar Chamber
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ICC Qatar, Crowell & Moring Hold 1st Webinar On 'Emerging Trends In International Disputes'
November 21, 2020 — MENAFN
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ICC Qatar, Crowell & Moring Hold First Webinar On 'Emerging Trends In International Disputes'
November 21, 2020 — Gulf Times
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ICC Qatar Hosts Webinar On Emerging Trends In International Disputes
November 20, 2020 — The Peninsula
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Egyptian Authority Liable Over Cancelled Port Project
February 20, 2020 — Global Arbitration Review
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Pret A Manger Looks To End $5M Suit Over 'Natural' Label
September 13, 2019 — Law360
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With New Law, The UAE Looks To Make Itself An Arbitral Hub
March 20, 2018 — Law360
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3rd Circ. Rejects Redo Of DuPont $176M Price-Fixing Claims
December 6, 2017 — Law360
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Antitrust Attys Back 3rd Circ. Rehearing In DuPont Suit
October 23, 2017 — Law360
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Valspar Asks 3rd Circ. To Rethink 'Impossible' Price-Fixing Bar
October 16, 2017 — Law360
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3rd Circ. Won't Revive $176M DuPont Price-Fixing Claims
October 3, 2017 — Law360
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3rd Circ. Pushed To Revive $176M DuPont Price-Fixing Suit
March 9, 2017 — Law360
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GAR 100 - 9th Edition
February 18, 2016 — Global Arbitration Review
Firm News & Announcements
January 3, 2022 |
Crowell & Moring Elects 13 New Partners, Promotes Seven to Senior Counsel, and 19 to Counsel |
July 20, 2021 |
Crowell & Moring Named to Global Arbitration Review’s 2021 “GAR 100” List |
November 19, 2020 |
Crowell & Moring and ICC Qatar Discuss Emerging Trends in International Disputes |
January 4, 2018 |
Crowell & Moring Elects Seven New Partners and Promotes 23 Associates to Counsel |
October 6, 2017 |
LITIGATION NOTE: DuPont Prevails in Antitrust Price-Fixing Lawsuit |
May 5, 2017 |
Crowell & Moring Featured in Global Arbitration Review’s 10th Annual "GAR 100" List |
March 22, 2016 |
Crowell & Moring Featured in Global Arbitration Review’s 9th Edition “GAR 100” List |
January 28, 2016 |
Litigation Note: DuPont Wins Summary Judgment in Rare Feat |
January 22, 2015 |
Crowell & Moring's Antitrust Group Featured in Global Competition Review's 15th Edition "GCR 100" |