Clifford Chance

International Court of Arbitration Secretary General to return to Clifford Chance

Leading international law firm Clifford Chance announced today that Jason Fry, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Court of Arbitration, is to return to the firm's International Arbitration Group.

Fry, who will co-head the group with Audley Sheppard, will join the firm's Paris office in September 2012. He was previously a Clifford Chance partner from 1999 until he joined the ICC in 2007.

Fry is a highly respected arbitration specialist with experience as counsel, arbitrator and as the head of the Secretariat of one of the world’s most prestigious arbitral institutions.  At the ICC he has played a key role leading a number of important strategic initiatives, notably establishing the ICC Secretariat’s presence in Hong Kong and Singapore, the creation of the ICC’s Hearing Centre in Paris and most recently the revision of the ICC Rules of Arbitration, which came into effect earlier this year.

Fry is also co-author of a book on the new ICC Arbitration Rules. One of the other co-authors, Simon Greenberg, the current Deputy Secretary General of the ICC Court, will join Clifford Chance's Paris office as a Counsel in February 2012.

Jeremy Sandelson, global head of Clifford Chance's Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice comments: "A top tier international arbitration group is fundamental to the ambitions of our global Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice. Many of our clients – corporates and financial institutions alike – increasingly look to international arbitration to resolve disputes across all markets. Jason has a fantastic market reputation and having him back working alongside Audley and the rest of our very strong global team is excellent news for clients and the firm."

Audley Sheppard adds: "I'm looking forward to working with Jason again as we invest in further developing our global practice. The experience he has gained at the ICC and the insights he has into global arbitration developments will be invaluable to our clients. Paris is a leading centre for international arbitration so it will be great to have Jason based there, alongside Jean-Pierre Grandjean."

Fry adds: “I have immensely enjoyed my time at the ICC Secretariat and the opportunity afforded to me to lead the development of ICC arbitration and the ICC’s other dispute resolution services (ADR). I have also enjoyed meeting and working with the people who comprise the Secretariat and the many lawyers and business users around the world associated with ICC dispute resolution. I will miss my colleagues at the ICC but I am excited to re-join a law firm with such a strong brand and global reach. I look forward to collaborating with colleagues at Clifford Chance around the globe and to building on the firm's strong reputation in international arbitration."

This latest appointment follows recent senior hires to the growing International Arbitration Group, including Patrick Zheng (Beijing) and Nish Shetty (Singapore).

Jason Fry is a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales and a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and was the Member for New Zealand of the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce from 1999 until 2007.