Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF) has named Kevin O’Gorman as its next US head of international arbitration.

The Houston-based partner will take over in the role from Mark Baker, who has been the firm’s US arbitration lead for more than 25 years and will continue to serve as NRF’s global co-head of international arbitration.

O’Gorman is himself a veteran of NRF, having joined the firm back in 2004 after a decade in the Houston office of US rival Vinson & Elkins. Ranked Band 4 by Chambers for international abritration, he has particular experience in commercial, corporate, energy, sovereign, treaty and project disputes.

Jeff Cody, Norton Rose Fulbright’s US managing partner, described O’Gorman as “an outstanding disputes lawyer who has achieved impressive results for clients in high-profile cases.”

“He has long been a respected leader within the firm and I look forward to the positive impact he will make in guiding our international arbitration practice in the US,” he added.

O’Gorman has handled cases under the major arbitral rules, including AAA, CPR, ICC, ICDR, ICSID, JAMS, LCIA and SIAC, as well as ad hoc disputes under the UNCITRAL arbitration rules. He has served also as an arbitrator in domestic and international cases and is admitted to practice law in Texas, New York, England and Wales.

O’Gorman, who also serves as the firm’s Houston office administrative partner, said: “Our international arbitration team handles some of the world’s most complex and high-value proceedings, guiding clients from the onset of a dispute through to the enforcement of an award. I’m honored to lead this highly regarded group of lawyers in providing first-class client service and delivering optimal outcomes.”

News of Gorman’s appointment follows the firm’s 54-strong promotions round in January that saw litigation and disputes gain more new partners (18) than any other practice area, with three of those getting the nod based in Houston.  

January also saw the NRF lose its EMEA head of disputes, Michael Godden, to UK rival Allen & Overy,

Earlier this week the firm’s leadership team issued a public statement expressing its ‘unequivocal’ opposition to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in a bid to draw a line under controversy surrounding an internal memo telling lawyers not to comment on Russian sanctions.