Senior Counsel
Lasha Arveladze
About
- Lasha Arveladze is a distinguished arbitration counsel and expert with more than 25 years of experience in both public and private law at national and international levels. He has provided expert consultation on complex corporate matters, encompassing international and domestic business transactions, project finance, energy deals, FIDIC construction matters, and oil and gas related PSA transactions. His expertise also extends to mergers and acquisitions, PPP transactions, rehabilitation, insolvency issues.
- He has acted as counsel in commercial arbitrations under the SCC, LCIA, ICC, UNCITRAL rules and the rules of several Georgian arbitration institutions. Lasha has also represented the Georgian State in multiple high-profile investment arbitrations under ICSID and UNCITRAL rules, and has extensive advocacy experience before Georgian courts at all instances. In parallel, he regularly accepts appointments as arbitrator in both domestic and international disputes.
- Lasha previously served as Head of the Department for State Representation in Arbitration and Foreign Courts at the Ministry of Justice of Georgia, where he led the State’s defense in complex investor-state and commercial arbitration proceedings. His professional background further includes senior roles within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, diplomatic service in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom, and legal leadership positions in major energy and infrastructure projects.
- He is a Partner at COCAZ LEGAL, an arbitrator and Deputy Head of the Georgian International Arbitration Center (GIAC) Council, and a recognized international expert, including service on the UNDP roster of highly qualified arbitration experts.
Education
Date
Institution
Experience
Previous Professional Experience
Served in senior roles at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, including positions in the Consular Department and at the Embassy of Georgia to the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Headed the Division for Control over Implementation of International Agreements at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. Oversaw state compliance with treaty obligations, coordinated implementation with public authorities, and supported signature, ratification, and monitoring procedures.
Served as Counselor at the Embassy of Georgia to the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Appointed Head of the Private International Law Department at the Ministry of Justice of Georgia. Drafted and reviewed international loan, grant, investment, and project finance agreements, led negotiations with investors, advised on sovereign bond transactions, and supervised state-participated projects.
Served as Head of the State Representation in Arbitrations and Foreign Courts Department at the Ministry of Justice of Georgia. Represented the State of Georgia in ICSID, ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL, and ICAC proceedings, coordinated BIT negotiations and settlements, prepared legal memoranda and witnesses, and participated in enforcement proceedings in major investor-state disputes.
Completed an internship at Dewey & LeBoeuf, Washington, DC.
Acted as Legal Counsel at Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation. Advised on large-scale pipeline, hydropower, and thermal power projects, drafted and negotiated key project and financing agreements, supported Eurobond and share purchase transactions, and represented the company in courts and arbitrations.
Current Professional Experience
Since 2013, serves as Partner at COCAZ LEGAL. Oversees firm management, represents clients in commercial and investor-state disputes, issues Georgian law opinions for international proceedings, and advises on corporate, project finance, and due diligence matters.
Serves as Arbitrator and Deputy Head of the Council of the Georgian International Arbitration Center (GIAC), Arbitrator at the Dispute Resolution Center (DRC), former Head of the ADR Committee of the Georgian Bar Association, and ADR Trainer at the Georgian Bar Association.
Acts as Head of Legal and Compliance for Reformatics entities in Georgia, UAE, AIFC, and Azerbaijan, advising governments on regulatory, institutional, and legislative reforms. Member of the UNDP Roster as a highly qualified expert in arbitration.
Languages
