Clifford Chance
Simon Greenberg is in Clifford Chance's international arbitration group.
Simon advises on transnational dispute management and acts as both counsel and as arbitrator in international arbitrations taking place all around the world. He has over 22 years' experience in the field.
Simon's experience covers numerous governing laws and seats of arbitration and a range of dispute types and business sectors. In recent years his practice has focused on mining, metals and energy, aviation (in particular helicopters) and telecoms/technology. He also has unparalleled experience of disputes involving allegations of corruption, illegality and/or the breach of anti-bribery and corruption rules.
Simon is co-chair of Clifford Chance's global Mining and Metals Sector group. He is also a part time judge of the commercial division of the Supreme Court of Bahrain.
Simon spent four years as Deputy Secretary General of the ICC International Court of Arbitration (2008-2012) followed by six years as a Court Member (for Australia) of the ICC International Court of Arbitration. He is a member of the ICC Commission on Arbitration since 2007. He is the Chair of ICC Australia's arbitrator Nominations Commission since July 2022. From 2013 to 2016 Simon represented the Australian Government at the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law.
Simon is a lecturer at the Institute of Political Science of Paris (Sciences Po) since 2008, a visiting professor of international commercial arbitration at Hong Kong University since 2010, and a regular speaker at arbitration conferences. He has published more than 30 journal articles and two books relating to international arbitration.
- Representing a mining company in a US$27 billion ICC arbitration recently initiated against the Republic of Congo following the illegal revocation of its license to mine iron ore.
- Representing a Mauritius investment firm in a major ICC arbitration against a DRC State company. This dispute arises from the revocation of our client's lithium mining exploitation permit to exploit the Manono lithium and tin territory. The current claim value exceeds USD$2.5 billion
- Representing an EMEA entity in two London seated arbitrations involving contracts for the long-term supply of iron ore. Total claims exceed US$ 1.3 billion.
- Representing a Dubai company with assets in the DRC, against the Democratic Republic of Congo. This dispute arises out of a series of ill-grounded actions by local courts and authorities leading to the transfer of assets in our client's company to a company controlled by a Congolese businessman and politician.
- Representing a helicopter manufacturer in a dispute with the supplier of allegedly faulty engines for use in military helicopters.
- Representing a helicopter manufacturer in three separate and unrelated disputes with governments that purchased military helicopters. These disputes have involved negotiations, arbitrations and local court proceedings.
- Representing a helicopter manufacturer in an ICC arbitration against a supplier of technical navigational equipment for military helicopters.
- Representing a global aviation company in a series of arbitrations against former agents in the context of major anticorruption campaign and criminal investigations conducted by several regulators into bribery and corruption allegations.
- Representing a French company against an Egyptian company in an ICC arbitration seated in Brussels under Egyptian law concerning a USD$1.2 billion mobile telecommunications network investment
- Representing a South Korean electronics company against a French chemicals company in an ICC arbitration seated in Brussels under Belgian law concerning the sale of a resin used in electronic products. ICC, US$ 250 million.
- Representing an Asian state against a Western European public company seeking recovery of illicit commissions paid in an ICC arbitration seated in Paris under French law in connection with the sale of weapons The claims exceeded USD$1.4 billion
- Representing an investor in two separate ICC arbitrations against an Eastern European state controlled energy authority. The total claims exceeded at EUR€850 million
- Representing an Asian mobile phone manufacturer against a major European mobile phone company in arbitration and parallel court proceedings in France, Brazil, Argentina and Russia in relation to the alleged breach of a license agreement and patent infringement allegations. The total dispute value exceeded US$ 2 billion.
- Acting for a Chinese mineral distributor in arbitration against a Canadian mining company in relation to a partnership for the long-term supply of iron ore. ICC, New York, US$ 220 million.
News and client work
Contact details
- Clifford Chance, Paris
- +33 1 4405 5114
- Email me
- Speaks English and French
- Sector Energy & resources, Healthcare, life sciences & chemicals, Industrials, Telecommunications, media & technology
Career and qualifications
- Deputy Counsel, ICC International Court of Arbitration 2000
- Deakin University, Melbourne, LLB (First Class Hons & Victorian Supreme Court Prize for graduating top of law) 2002
- University of Paris II – Panthéon-Assas, DSU (LLM equivalent, Private International Law) 2002
- Admitted as a barrister and solicitor in Victoria, Australia 2002
- Clayton Utz, Melbourne Australia 2002
- Dechert LLP 2004
- Admitted as a solicitor in England & Wales 2005
- Admitted as an avocat in Paris 2005
- Deputy Secretary General of the ICC International Court of Arbitration 2008
- Joined Clifford Chance as Counsel 2012
- Partner since 2013
Professional bodies
- Member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration for Australia (2012-2018)
- Member of the ICC Commission on Arbitration (2007-present)
- Australian Government Delegate to UNCITRAL (2014-2016)
- Chair of the Nominations Commission of ICC Australia (2022-present)
Awards and citations
- Simon Greenberg is ranked as one the 'Leading Individuals' for the practice.
Legal 500 EMEA 2024, Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration - France - Simon Greenberg (Band 3) offers extensive expertise in representing corporations in arbitration proceedings. He is adept at handling cases involving sectors such as mining or aerospace.
"Simon is an excellent lawyer and an equally excellent team leader with a formidable in-depth knowledge of all things international arbitration. I highly recommended him to anyone looking to entrust their critical arbitration case to a very capable international arbitration expert."
"I trust him entirely, inside and out. I never have any concerns about his advice and his insights."
Chambers Europe 2024, International Arbitration - France
Chambers Global 2024, International Arbitration - France - Simon Greenberg is ranked as one of the 'Leading Individuals' for the practice.
Legal 500 EMEA 2023, Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration - France - Simon Greenberg (Band 3) offers extensive expertise representing corporations in arbitration proceedings. He is adept at handling cases involving sectors such as mining or aerospace.
"Simon Greenberg is an outstanding lawyer with an acute business and commercial sense."
Chambers Global 2023, International Arbitration - France
Chambers Europe 2023, International Arbitration - France - Simon Greenberg offers extensive expertise representing corporations in arbitration proceedings. Clients command his "in-depth understanding of our business and exemplary responsiveness and availability," further adding: "He is simply a pleasure to work with." Ranked Band 4.
Chambers Global 2022, International Arbitration - France
Chambers Europe 2022, International Arbitration - France - Simon Greenberg offers extensive expertise representing corporations in arbitration proceedings. He is experienced across the infrastructure, telecoms and energy sectors. One interviewee says: "He is very pragmatic and commercial; he is always creative when finding solutions, he really thinks out of the box," and adds: "He is super smart and an excellent advocate."
Chambers Global 2021, International Arbitration - France
Chambers Europe 2021, International Arbitration - France - Clients report Simon Greenberg to have "great attitude, tons of experience in international arbitration and he is a great and recommended support to have whether arbitrating, negotiating or simply drafting." He advises on commercial arbitration cases, including breach of contract as well as supply and distribution agreement disputes.
Chambers Global 2020, Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration - France
Chambers Europe 2020, International Arbitration - France - "Clifford Chance's ‘hugely experienced’ 16-lawyer Paris-based team has first-hand knowledge of the ICC Court. The practice acts for French and international corporations facing shareholder, partnership, mining and construction disputes. It is handling a series of cases for a key client in the aviation sector, and is also acting in investment cases, including representing a state in its first treaty claim. Practice head Jason Fry is highly recommended, along with the ‘determined, brilliant and reasonable’ Simon Greenberg. Counsel Sandrine Colletier is also noted."
Legal 500 EMEA 2019, International Arbitration - France - "Clifford Chance has a broad aviation practice, with a team whose 'members complement each other'. The practice has a strong corporate and commercial focus, with Dessislava Savova and Fabrice Cohen forming the heart of the group, as well as a strong litigation and arbitration component alongside regulatory expertise. In a recent corporate highlight, Cohen advised Airbus on its $750m disposal of Vector Aerospace to StandardAero Aviation Holdings, while Savova acted for Airbus on the implementation of a new industrial and commercial strategy for the insourcing of key aircraft components. Thibaud d’Alès represented the Cessna Citation European Service Center in litigation against owners and managers of airplanes arising from the non-payment of repairing works. Other key contacts include Jason Fry, Simon Greenberg and Thomas Baudesson. Charles-Henri Boeringer was promoted to partner in May 2018."
Legal 500 EMEA 2019, Aviation - France - Market commentators note Simon Greenberg 's advocacy skills and describe him as an "excellent strategist." Interviewees also highlight his pragmatic approach to cases, saying: "He is reasonable and is able to concentrate on the essential issues." Greenberg was previously Deputy Secretary General of the ICC International Court of Arbitration and is active in significant commercial arbitrations in the energy and aviation sectors.
Chambers Europe 2019, Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration - France
Chambers Global 2019, Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration - France - "Clifford Chance has long-established ICC experience and also handles LCIA disputes. The 15-lawyer team advises prominent French and international companies, especially in the aviation and energy sectors and often acts in shareholder and commercial partnership related cases. Recent highlights include a multibillion-dollar mining case and a significant dispute dealing with the construction of a nuclear plant. Jason Fry co-heads the firm’s global practice. Simon Greenberg is the other key element in the practice, while counsel Sandrine Colletier is also noteworthy."
Legal 500 EMEA 2018, Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration - France - "Simon Greenberg is described as "knowledgeable, with a very good sense of tactics." He is experienced in arbitrations related to the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East, and is skilled at acting on a variety of proceedings, including those involving ICC, UNCITRAL and LCIA rules."
Chambers Global 2018, Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration - France
Chambers Europe 2018, Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration - France - "Clifford Chance has a busy commercial arbitration practice covering energy, aviation and corporate law. The team is also involved in multibillion-dollar case in the mining sector. Leading French and international corporations are clients. Jason Fry co-heads the firm’s international practice. Simon Greenberg and Jean-Pierre Grandjean are other names to note."
Legal 500 EMEA 2017, Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration - France - Simon Greenberg enters the rankings as an up-and-coming individual, having impressed market commentators with his experience in arbitration. He is regularly appointed as both arbitrator and counsel, with particular experience before the ICC. One interviewee states: "I have never dealt with someone so helpful and intelligent. He understands things almost before you can say them and is very quick on the uptake. He has really been outstanding."
Chambers Global 2017, Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration - France
Chambers Europe 2017, Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration - France - "Clifford Chance is ‘able to put in place a team of senior lawyers from different offices with specific knowledge of its client’s industry and the dispute, in a very short time’. The ten-lawyer Paris office handles commercial disputes on behalf of leading French and multinational companies, most notably various energy, aviation and corporate cases. Global practice co-head Jason Fry provides ‘perfect management of difficult arbitration proceedings’, Simon Greenberg is ‘very knowledgeable and able to advise on the legal matters and strategy of selection of arbitrators and experts’. Jean-Pierre Grandjean is also a strong adviser".
Legal 500 EMEA 2016, Dispute resolution: International Arbitration - France
- "Clifford Chance shows the ‘ability to deal with great technical cases effectively’. The firm has a strong commercial caseload and also represented EDF in a claim against Argentina for breaches of the France-Argentina BIT agreement. The 11-lawyer team fields prominent experts with deep understanding of arbitrators and arbitral institutions; these include arbitration global co-head Jason Fry, Simon Greenberg and Jean-Pierre Grandjean, who is praised for his ‘strategic and procedural thinking’."
Legal 500 2014, Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration