Covington & Burling LLP operates as a limited liability partnership worldwide, with the practice in England and Wales conducted by an affiliated
limited liability multinational partnership, Covington & Burling LLP, which is formed under the laws of the State of Delaware in the United States
and authorized and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with registration number 77071..
David Pinsky is a partner in the firm's international arbitration and litigation practices. David's recent work includes winning a $5-billion award for Ukraine’s state-owned oil and gas company, Naftogaz, in an investment arbitration against Russia, in response to Russia’s unlawful expropriation of Naftogaz’s assets upon annexing the Crimean Peninsula in 2014, as well as representing Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in an investment dispute against Russia.
In addition to his disputes work, David counsels clients on how to structure their cross-border investments in order to be well-positioned in case of future disputes with foreign governments, and he has advised multiple clients in connection with their exits from Russia following the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
David is a member of Covington’s Management Committee, and he has been recognized as a leading lawyer in international arbitration by Chambers, Global Arbitration Review, and Crain’s New York Business.
In addition to his work at Covington, David is a Lecturer in Law at Columbia Law School, where he teaches International Investment Law.
David's arbitration practice focuses both on investor-state and on commercial disputes, often arising in Russia and Eastern Europe. He has handled administered proceedings under the ICC, SCC, LCIA, ICDR, and AAA Rules, as well as ad hoc proceedings under the UNCITRAL Rules. He has also represented clients in the Court of Arbitration for Sport and in the European Court of Human Rights. On the commercial side of his arbitration practice, David has expertise in disputes arising under the Uniform Commercial Code. In U.S. litigation, his practice focuses on international law issues, including arbitral award enforcement, litigation in support of arbitration, and applications for discovery under 28 U.S.C. § 1782.
David also maintains an active pro bono practice, representing journalists and other media professionals who seek asylum in the United States. An émigré himself, David has won asylum and other forms of immigration relief for clients from Russia, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Afghanistan, among other countries.
Before joining Covington in 2005, David lived in Moscow as a U.S. State Department-sponsored fellow where he studied the challenges facing Russia's press.
Counsel for Ukraine’s state-owned oil and gas company, Naftogaz, in an investment treaty arbitration (UNCITRAL) against the Russian Federation arising from Russia’s expropriation of Naftogaz’s assets in Crimea.
Representation of two U.S. telecommunications companies in an investment treaty arbitration (ICSID) against Georgia, arising from Georgia’s imprisonment of the companies’ principal and extortion of millions of dollars in exchange for the principal’s release.
Counsel for investors in the Yukos Oil Company in an investment treaty arbitration (SCC) against the Russian Federation arising from Russia’s expropriation of the company.
Representation of a multinational mining company in a commercial arbitration (ICC) arising from a customer’s breach of a long-term supply contract.
Representation of a leading U.S. energy company in a commercial arbitration (AAA) arising from Russia sanctions risk.
Counsel for a multinational oil company in a commercial arbitration (ICDR) arising from a shipping agreement for crude oil.
Representation of a public entity in a commercial arbitration (ad hoc) seeking insurance coverage for property damage and other loss arising from Superstorm Sandy.
Counsel for a major U.S. oil refinery in a commercial arbitration (LCIA) against a property insurer, seeking coverage for an $82-million loss.
Representation of a New York hedge fund in a commercial arbitration (AAA) against an investment research firm.
Litigation
Representation of Ukraine’s state-owned oil and gas company, Naftogaz, in U.S. discovery proceedings in support of efforts to collect a $2.56 billion arbitral award against Gazprom.
Counsel for a Hasidic Jewish community in federal-court proceedings to confirm an arbitral award arising from a trademark dispute.
Representation of BP Exploration & Production Inc. and member of trial team in civil litigation arising from the Deepwater Horizon incident.
Counsel for the National Football League in a contract dispute with Comcast Cable Communications concerning carriage of the NFL Network.
Representation of the National Football League in insurance coverage litigation arising from lawsuits filed by former NFL players for injuries associated with the long-term effects of concussive and sub-concussive injuries.
Successful representation of journalists and media professionals from Russia, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Afghanistan in applications for asylum to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and before the Executive Office for Immigration Review.
On behalf of a U.S. nonprofit organization, drafted a report regarding access to counsel for non-citizens in removal proceedings.
Advised the Brennan Center for Justice at the NYU School of Law on the right to counsel in civil cases under the laws of the republics of Georgia and Armenia.
Accolades
Chambers USA, International Arbitration (2023-2025)
Chambers Global, International Arbitration: Counsel (2024-2025)
Recognized by Global Arbitration Review and Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration as one of its "Future Leaders," a ranking of "the most eminent lawyers in the field under 45" (2020-2023).
Law360, International Arbitration "Rising Star" (2016)
Legal 500 US, International Arbitration (2017, 2014)
Previous Experience
U.S. State Department-sponsored fellow in Moscow; studied press freedom issues in Russia.
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