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Joshua B. Picker

Special Counsel

New York +1 212 841 1124

  • About
  • Representative Matters
  • Credentials
  • About

    Joshua Picker litigates international disputes with an emphasis on cross-border commercial disputes and international arbitration.

    Joshua’s international arbitration practice encompasses both investment treaty and commercial claims, involving industries from energy, to telecommunications, to commercial aviation.

    In U.S. litigation, Joshua litigates cross-border issues in state and federal courts. He has particular experience in litigating applications for discovery in aid of foreign proceedings under 28 U.S.C. § 1782.

    Earlier in his career, Joshua served as a research associate to former National Economic Council Director Gene Sperling on economic, trade, and globalization policy matters and as an aide to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY).

    Areas of Expertise

  • Practices and Industries
  • Representative Matters

    Civil Litigation

    • Successfully obtained emergency orders compelling discovery in aid of foreign litigation pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1782.
    • Secured a favorable settlement for South American petrochemical company in securities class action concerning allegations of corruption.
    • On behalf of Fortune 500 multinational, successfully obtained dismissal on grounds of forum non conveniens of federal court action by multinational’s foreign distributor alleging wrongful termination of its distribution contract.

    International Arbitration

    • Counsel for Ukraine’s state-owned oil and gas company, Naftogaz, in an investment arbitration (UNCITRAL) against the Russian Federation arising from Russia’s occupation of Crimea.
    • Represent 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.
    • Represented minority investors in the Yukos Oil Company in an SCC arbitration against the Russian Federation arising from Russia’s expropriation of the company.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Credentials
    Education
    • Columbia Law School, J.D.
        • Honors:
          • James Kent Scholar
          • Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar
          • Paul Hays Prize for the outstanding first-year student in civil procedure
          • Simon Rifkind Prize for the best overall performance in the first year moot court program
          • National Champion, American Constitution Society Moot Court
          • Columbia Law Review, Senior Editor
    • Yale University, B.A.
        • Honors:
          • cum laude
          • Departmental Honors in International Studies and Ethics, Politics & Economics
          • Henry Hart Rice Prize for the outstanding senior essay in International Studies
    Bar Admissions
    • New York
    • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
    • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
    • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
    Judicial Clerkship
    • Hon. Katherine B. Forrest, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 2012 - 2013
    Languages
    • Spanish
    Pro Bono
    • Charles F.C. Ruff Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year (2019)
    • Represent voting rights organizations in constitutional litigation.
    • Along with the ACLU, secured favorable settlement of a constitutional and administrative challenge to the unlawful detention and identification search of passengers following a domestic air flight.
    • Blocked the improper administrative separation of two active duty transgender Army Soldiers; coordinated with a team from the ACLU to persuade the military services and the Department of Defense to revise policies governing open service by transgender service members.
    Memberships and Affiliations
    • Rising Arbitrators Initiative
    • American Bar Association, International Section
    • International Bar Association
    Previous Experience
    • Economic Policy Research Associate to Gene B. Sperling, Center for American Progress
    • Aide to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY)

    Areas of Expertise

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