Leonard Soudagar

Senior Associate at Clyde & Co
Summary
Leonard Soudagar is an accomplished commercial disputes lawyer with a rich background in legal practice, specializing in a diverse array of sectors in the UAE.
Having commenced his professional journey in 2012 with Clyde & Co, Leonard transitioned from the London office to the Dubai office in 2014, where he currently operates as a Senior Associate.
His expertise spans various industries including energy, marine, international trade, banking, insurance, construction, technology, real estate, retail, and FMCG, catering to a broad spectrum of corporate and financial clients.
Leonard's practice predominantly revolves around representing clients in international commercial arbitration, encompassing institutional and ad-hoc frameworks, covering prominent arbitration bodies worldwide such as ICC, LCIA, DIFC-LCIA, DIAC, HKIAC, AAA, LMAA, and UNCITRAL.
He has actively participated in arbitrations across key global hubs like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, London, New York, Hong Kong, and Singapore, in addition to handling litigation cases in various judicial platforms including the DIFC Courts, 'onshore' civil law Courts in the UAE, Dubai World Tribunal, and the High Court in London.
Due to the international nature of his work, Leonard offers strategic counsel to clients on intricate cross-border disputes, jurisdictional matters, conflicts of laws, and the enforcement of judgments and arbitral awards, while also providing ongoing advisory on operational, contractual, termination, and non-contentious dispute resolution issues.
His versatile skill set also extends to advising on payment disputes, insolvency, and debt recovery concerns within the UAE.
Moreover, Leonard holds a specialized focus on marine and energy disputes, handling various cases related to EPC contracts, offshore drilling agreements, shipbuilding contracts, charterparties, bills of lading, commodity sale contracts, and marine casualty matters.
In terms of qualifications, Leonard Soudagar is a qualified Solicitor of England and Wales, and is recognized as a registered practitioner before the DIFC Courts, showcasing his proficiency and standing within the legal domain.