Lalive’s new counsel and partner promotions

Lalive expands its partnership lineup with the promotions of Laura Azaria and Robert Bradshaw in international arbitration, as well as  Adam El-Hakim, Christian Exner and Sébastien Zulian in litigation, all active as of 1 January 2026. The firm also promoted  Isabel San Martín in APG and Nikita Ognivtsev in LPG to counsel, also as of 1 January 2026.

Laura Azaria

A specialist in both international arbitration and litigation, Laura Azaria,  is part of Lalive’s team in Geneva since 2014. Her practice spans a variety of disputes, particularly those arising out of infrastructure and construction projects, sales, distribution, joint venture and shareholders agreements, as well as M&A transactions and technology-related matters. She often represents clients in set aside proceedings before the Swiss Federal Supreme Court, as well as in recognition and enforcement proceedings.

Robert Bradshaw

An expert in commercial and investment arbitration, Robert Bradshaw’s specific focus lays upon the energy and mining sectors. He joined Lalive’s London office in 2019 – one of the first members of the location. Bradshaw has higher rights of audience before the English courts and is a registered foreign lawyer with the Singapore International Commercial Court.

Adam El-Hakim

A specialist in white collar crime, compliance, asset recovery, international mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, and internal investigations, Adam El-Hakim joined Lalive’s Zurich office in 2019. His experience spans complex domestic and cross-border criminal litigation, including matters involving anti-fraud, anti-money laundering, and anti-bribery regulations.

Christian Exner

Christian Exner is part of Lalive’s Zurich office since 2021. His practice focuses on domestic and international litigation, with a specific attention on insolvency-related disputes. Within that area, he serves both creditors and debtors in domestic and cross-border proceedings. He also regularly works on complex commercial and banking litigation, as well as the enforcement of foreign judgments and awards.

Sébastien Zulian

A specialist in private client matters, Sébastien Zulian joined Lalive’s Geneva office in 2017. Zulian’sadvisory spans complex domestic and cross-border litigation and transactional cases, focusing on inheritance and family business disputes and pre-contentious situations.

Isabel San Martín

Part of Lalive’s London team since 2021, Isabel San Martín  is a specialist in international arbitration and public international law. She’s active across a plethora of sectors, including renewable energy, oil and gas, mining, construction, and banking and finance. Moreover, she covers human rights law and served as a member of the ICC Task Force on Resolving Climate Change Related Disputes through Arbitration.

Nikita Ognivtsev

Nikita Ognivtsev joined Lalive’s Geneva office in 2019. He advises on domestic and cross-border litigation, focusing on complex financial matters, white collar crime and banking disputes. His practice also spans asset recovery and judicial assistance in civil and criminal matters, as well as compliance and internal investigations. Throughout his career, he regularly worked on issues involving Russian-speaking jurisdictions (CIS and Ukraine).