Teresa, a LALIVE founding partner, specialises in international commercial arbitration and art law. She has been involved over 220 international arbitrations (including over 100 as arbitrator, mainly as presiding or sole arbitrator) and is widely recognized for her “a wealth of experience in commercial arbitration” in Who’s Who Legal National Leaders, Arbitration, 2022.
Her expertise encompasses both ad hoc and administered arbitrations, under all the major arbitration rules including of UNCITRAL, the AAA/ICDR, ICC, LCIA, SCC Arbitration Institute, Milan Chamber of Arbitration, Chamber of Commerce of Venice and Swiss Rules, as well as the International Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance (ICHEIC). She also has extensive experience as counsel in setting aside proceedings before the Swiss Supreme Court.
Teresa’s practice spans a wide range of sectors including disputes arising out of construction and infrastructure projects, sales contracts, intellectual property and licensing agreements, agency and distribution agreements, as well as joint ventures and shareholder agreements.
Recognition
Ranked as a “leading global practitioner.”
Who’s Who Legal, Thought Leaders, Arbitration 2022 (and since 2018).
“Well regarded by all who have seen her in action.”
Who’s Who Legal, Arbitration, 2016
“Exceedingly well versed in international arbitration” and wins praise for her great “dedication and professionalism.”
Who’s Who Legal, Arbitration, 2017
Recent publications
The Legal Picture
TERESA GIOVANNINI, WERNER JAHNEL, SANDRINE GIROUD
In: Arts and Collections Magazine, Vol 2, 2019
Arbitres et intérêts public
TERESA GIOVANNINI, HAKIM BOULARBAH, ANDREA CARLEVARIS, LAURENT JAEGER, CHARLES JARROSSON, ISMAIL SELIM
In: Bruylant (Ed.), Arbitrage international et intérêts publics, 2019
Recent conferences
30th Croatian Arbitration Days International Conference
TERESA GIOVANNINI Keynote speaker: The Legitimacy of Arbitral Process
Zagreb, December 2022
6th Annual GAR Live Dubai
TERESA GIOVANNINI Keynote Speaker: Reasoning as Evidence of Legitimacy of the Award
Dubai, November 2019
Harvard Law School, Harvard International Arbitration Conference
TERESA GIOVANNINI Keynote speaker: Lifting the Curtain on Arbitral Tribunal’s Decision-Making: Practical Tools to Enhance the Reliability
February 2019, Boston
Current memberships
- Member of the ICC Swiss National Committee and ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR
- Council Emeritus Member of the ICC Institute of World Business Law
- Member of the Beijing Arbitration Commission (BAC)
- Club Member of the Milan Chamber of Arbitration
- Member of the Advisory Board of the Transnational Arbitration Association
- Member of the International Law Association Committee on Arbitration
- Board Member of Francarbi
Career history
- Founder and Partner, LALIVE, Geneva, 1994 – present
- Associate / Partner, Lalive, Budin & Partners, Geneva, 1985 – 1994
- Associate, Chiomenti & Partners, Rome, 1983 – 1985
- Associate, Turrettini & L’Huillier, Geneva, 1981 – 1983
- Legal Counsel, University Hospital, Geneva, 1977 – 1981
- Legal Counsel, State Department of Health, Fribourg, 1974 – 1977
Academic qualifications
- Master in Law, University of Freiburg
- Certificate, The Royal Hague Academy of International Law, 1974