Paul Reichler, who co-founded the international arbitration practice at Foley Hoag more than 20 years ago, has retired from the US firm and joined London set 11KBW. 

An eminent public international law specialist, over the course of his career Reichler has represented numerous sovereign states before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and other tribunals, in disputes with other states and with foreign investors.

He joined Foley Hoag in Washington DC in 1998 to establish the firm’s international litigation and arbitration practice, which he co-chaired for more than 20 years and grew from a small practice to a department of 50 lawyers before retiring from the firm at the start of this month. Earlier he worked at Reichler & Appelbaum for 14 years and had a stint at Powell Goldstein Fraser and Murphy in the 1980’s. 

“We are delighted that Paul is joining us at 11KBW,” said Daniel Stilitz KC, joint head of chambers. “I have no doubt that his vast experience and eminence will enrich both our international law practice and Chambers’ community more widely. We welcome him warmly.”

While at Foley Hoag Reichler represented the Philippines against the People’s Republic of China in the South China Seas arbitration and Mauritius against the United Kingdom on sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, litigation in which Philippe Sands KC, who joined 11KBW from Matrix Chambers last year, was also previously active. 

Other states for whom he has acted include Bangladesh against India and Myanmar on maritime delimitation in the Bay of Bengal. 

Reichler also represented Nicaragua for more than 40 years, including in a landmark victory over the United States before the ICJ in the 1980s, but resigned the role in a March 2022 letter to Nicaragua’s president Daniel Ortega on the grounds of moral conscience. 

He currently represents the Gambia, in its case against Myanmar before the ICJ to prevent and punish acts of genocide against Myanmar’s Rohingya population, and Palestine, in seeking an Advisory Opinion from the ICJ on the legal consequences of Israel’s occupation of its territory. 

Commenting on his move, Reichler said: “I am honoured by the invitation to join 11KBW, and the opportunity to collaborate even more closely with my friend and colleague, Philippe Sands KC, on cases that make a difference in strengthening the rule of law and protecting human rights and human dignity.”