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Career

His career in Paris and London, together with admission to the Paris Bar and as a solicitor in England and Wales, informs a practice spanning French and European law and common law systems. He conducts his work in English, French and Italian, engaging with participants from different legal traditions.

Roles
International arbitrator and counsel
Working languages
French · English · Italian
Bar admissions
Paris Bar (since 1998) · Solicitor, England and Wales (since 2005)
Sectors
Oil and gas · Mining · Electricity and nuclear · Infrastructure and major projects · Aerospace · Telecommunications
Download CVPDF · English
cases as arbitrator
25
years of experience
25+
arbitrations as counsel
150+

An international career in Paris and London, followed by the creation of Gouiffès Arbitration in 2025.

Education

1996 · Post-masterate diploma in Private and Public International Law, University of Paris Panthéon-Assas, with honours.

1993 · Institut d’études politiques de Paris, Public Service section.

Teaching & speaking

Lectures on arbitration at Panthéon-Sorbonne and Sciences Po Paris, including energy arbitration. Speaking and publishing on arbitration, energy and public and private international law.

Professional commitments

Delegate to the ICC Commission on Arbitration for the 2024–2027 mandate; member of its Task Force on Artificial Intelligence since April 2025. Member of the Board of the Comité français de l’arbitrage since May 2025.

  1. Since July 2025

    Gouiffès Arbitration

    International arbitrator and counsel · Paris

  2. May 2009 – June 2025

    Hogan Lovells

    Partner · Paris

  3. November 2005 – April 2009

    Allen & Overy

    Counsel · London and Paris

  4. September 2002 – November 2005

    Denton Wilde Sapte

    Senior Associate · London

  5. January 1998 – September 2002

    Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

    Associate · Paris

Market recognition

“I appreciated the expertise, ability and spirit of cooperation of Laurent Gouiffès who has enabled the Court to achieve a quick and efficient decision.”
Legal 500 EMEA · 2021
‘Laurent Gouiffès is adept at handling commercial arbitrations as well as annulment proceedings in the energy and TMT sectors. Clients say: "He is very capable, multilingual, extremely credible and smart," before going on to add: "He can craft an excellent strategy and he is very thorough."
Chambers Global · 2022
"Laurent Gouiffès is very experienced, he knows exactly what the clients are looking for, he goes straight to the point and provides great business-oriented advice."
Chambers Global · 2023
‘Laurent Gouiffès is also an experienced arbitrator, hence he has an excellent grasp of the intricacies of the international arbitration process.’
Legal 500 EMEA · 2023
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‘Laurent Gouiffès has outstanding experience in dealing with complex legal issues and provides clients with practical recommendations. He is also very understanding.’
Legal 500 EMEA · 2023
‘Laurent Gouiffès is a real leader, very intelligent, very dedicated, expert in Middle Eastern affairs, very convincing, open to ideas and an excellent strategist who masters the subject of arbitration.’
Legal 500 EMEA · 2023
Paris partner Laurent Gouiffès has a sophisticated international arbitration practice that often revolves around disputes in the oil and gas sector. He also earns praise for his understanding of the telecoms sector. Sources highlight his “excellent strategic approach and his legal expertise.” “His communication skills are amazing and he is very hands-on as a partner”, says another interviewee.
Chambers Europe · 2022
Laurent Gouiffès is praised by clients for his strategic skills, with one saying: "He anticipates and is very attuned to the sensibilities of the tribunal." He is adept at handling commercial arbitrations as well as annulment proceedings in the energy and TMT sectors
Legal 500 EMEA · 2021
‘Laurent Gouiffès is remarkably practical, business-minded, charismatic, and a great team-leader. He follows a results-based approach. He constantly goes back and forth to keep to the details and the big picture. His strength is that he does not take anything for granted, he is constantly looking at the case from new angles.'
Legal 500 EMEA · 2020
Sources praise his leadership skills and describe him as "energetic, motivated and enthusiastic."
Chambers Global · 2020

Experience

Laurent Gouiffès acts as arbitrator in investment disputes and international commercial disputes, as well as counsel. The matters presented here illustrate both activities, particularly in the energy, infrastructure and telecommunications sectors.

Explore his experience