Tsegaye Laurendeau

Tsegaye Laurendeau is a partner at Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes.

His experience includes international arbitrations under the ICC, ICSID, CRCICA, HKIAC and UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules, with a focus on M&A, investment funds, international financing and joint venture disputes in the oil & gas, power, mining, construction and telecoms sectors.

Tsegaye is featured in Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration – Future Leaders 2021.  The publication, which is based upon an independent survey of general counsel and private practice lawyers worldwide, profiles the foremost practitioners in the global arbitration community aged 45 and under and notes that he is: “one of the best arbitration lawyers of his generation”, “a top-notch attorney, absolutely competent with a great personality” who is “rapidly establishing himself as one of the leading practitioners, notably in Africa-related disputes”.  Previous editions of the same publication note that Tsegaye is an “excellent and well-prepared” practitioner, “‘highly experienced in investment arbitration’ and is recognized for his ‘remarkable cross-examination skills’”, and that he is “an esteemed arbitrator highlighted for his strong expertise in Africa-related disputes”.

He has also been named “ADR Personality” by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce International Arbitration Centre (LACIAC) in the First Edition of its 2020 E-Newsletter.  Tsegaye also features in The Legal 500 Private Practice Power list: African Specialists 2019 and was nominated “Rising Star of the Month” by Africa Arbitration (February 2019).

Tsegaye began his career as an associate in the Project Finance group of a magic circle firm, acting for financial institutions and sponsors in relation to the financing and development of large energy and infrastructure projects in sub-Saharan and Northern Africa.