He joins from Linklaters where he spent nearly six years as a managing associate. He also previously worked at Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier and Clifford Chance.
Fouchard has over 12 years’ experience advising on major complex litigation and arbitration proceedings across the construction, energy, infrastructure, mining and defence industries. He also has considerable experience handling joint ventures and post-acquisition disputes.
Fouchard has handled arbitration cases both on an ad hoc basis (including UNCITRAL) and under the rules of international arbitration institutions (ICC, ICSID, CCIG) in jurisdictions across Europe and Francophone Africa. He is an experienced advocate, having appeared before many international arbitral tribunals as well as before French courts in post-arbitral proceedings. Fouchard also sits regularly as an arbitrator.
Praj Samant, chair of Reed Smith’s Energy and Natural Resources Group, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Clément to the firm. He has an excellent reputation and wealth of experience mitigating and resolving disputes for organisations across the energy and natural resources sector.
“He provides further strength and depth to our arbitration capabilities and will ensure we can continue to provide the very best service to our clients.”
Peter Rosher, a Paris-based partner at Reed Smith, added: “We are seeing growing demand from our clients for dispute resolution advice as major projects continue to develop across France and Francophone Africa. Clément further enhances our offering and will prove a valuable asset to our clients.”
Fouchard commented: “Reed Smith is a market leader for energy and natural resources work. It also has a very strong reputation for dispute resolution and an enviable international platform. I’m delighted to be joining and building my practice further.”
José Astigarraga, head of Reed Smith’s international arbitration practice, said: “Reed Smith embarked on a global expansion of its international arbitration practice two years ago, determined to make strategic hires in key markets. We have since added key arbitration lawyers in New York, Dubai, Paris, Singapore, Miami and other leading arbitral venues. With his experience, talent and drive, Clément is a fantastic addition to our international arbitration practice, which was recently named to the GAR 30 list of the world’s leading international arbitration law firms.”
Recently, Fouchard represented the interests of a European defence company in an ICC arbitration case and acted before the French courts in enforcement proceedings relating to a dispute with a state involving the alleged breach of an arms contract. He also advised an African state in the context of several ICSID arbitration matters initiated by investors based on a bilateral investment treaty and an oil-related contract for research, exploitation and production sharing.
Fouchard was named by Who’s Who Legal in the ‘Future leaders – Arbitration’ category as among both the ‘National Leaders – France – Arbitration 2019’ and the 10 most prominent non-partner lawyers in Europe in 2018 and 2019.
He has also been a board member of the Comité Français de l’Arbitrage (French arbitration committee) since 2016 and of the organising committee of Paris Arbitration Week since the first edition in 2017, and in 2018 cofounded the association AfricArb, which contributes to the sharing of knowledge on major trends in arbitration in Africa. He was also the ICC Young Arbitrators Forum representative for France, Belgium and Luxembourg in 2017-2018.
Reed Smith’s multidisciplinary Energy and Natural Resources Group comprises around 160 lawyers worldwide, combining regulatory, transactional, financial, environmental health and safety, projects and construction, and litigation disciplines. The firm’s international arbitration practice advises clients across a wide range of industry sectors in more than 100 countries around the world. Serving as advisers, advocates and arbitrators in key arbitral centres worldwide, our lawyers represent both claimants and respondents and are experienced with the procedures of all major international arbitration institutions.
With Fouchard’s arrival, Reed Smith’s Paris office now comprises over 70 lawyers. The office’s annual turnover increased by 50 per cent in 2017 and 24 per cent in 2018.
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is a dynamic international law firm dedicated to helping clients move their businesses forward. Our belief is that by delivering smarter and more creative legal services, we will not only enrich our clients’ experiences with us, but also support them in achieving their business goals.
Our long-standing relationships, international outlook and collaborative structure make us the go-to partner for the speedy resolution of complex disputes, transactions and regulatory matters.
For further information, please visit reedsmith.com.
