Ontier: Claire Morel de Westgaver joins London office

Ontier has announced the addition of Claire Morel de Westgaver as a new partner in its London office, further strengthening its international arbitration practice worldwide.

Mercedes Romero, partner in Ontier’s Litigation and International Arbitration team, added: “outstanding experience in international arbitration” and adds that she brings a “unique French / English skill set, which is incredibly valuable for the global disputes team”.

Claire Morel de Westgaver

Claire Morel de Westgaver is a highly experienced international arbitration expert with over 17 years of practice. A Belgian national, she is qualified in both England and New York and has built much of her career at renowned firms such as Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) and Bird & Bird. Before joining Ontier, she was a partner at BCLP since 2020, having been with the firm since 2014. Among her most notable cases, she successfully represented a Middle Eastern television channel in an ICC arbitration worth over $1.5 billion and acted for a luxury group in a dispute before the LCIA.

In addition to her work as a lawyer, Claire Morel de Westgaver serves as an arbitrator and is listed with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Tashkent International Arbitration Centre (TIAC). She is also the co-founder of Mute Off Thursdays, a virtual platform for women in arbitration, and holds leadership roles in various international arbitration organizations.

Oliver Cain, managing partner of Ontier’s London office, stated: “excellent reputation and her experience and expertise in high-stakes international arbitration mean that she will be a great addition to Ontier’ s existing team and capabilities both in London and globally, helping our clients navigate and resolve their most challenging international disputes.”