Maria Theresa Trofaier is Senior of Counsel in the global International Arbitration practice at DLA Piper. An English solicitor who married an Austrian diplomat, she is a recognized dispute resolution practitioner in Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and Ukraine. She has in-depth knowledge of the culture and business practices of the countries of the former Soviet Union, a background bridging the civil and common law divide, and brings diplomatic skills to negotiation.
She has extensive experience advising clients in international arbitration proceedings across a range of sectors including energy, oil & gas, mining, chemicals, construction, industrial engineering, technology and financial services. Her current practice focuses on high value international commercial arbitrations (both ad hoc and institutional, under the ICC, LCIA, SCC, VIAC, ICAC Russia and UNCITRAL Rules), and bilateral investment treaty claims, advising both States and commercial parties. Known for advising and assisting with early resolution of disputes, particularly those involving joint ventures and consortiums, she acts as facilitator, enabling the reaching of early settlement. While in-house for five years as General Counsel for a large industrial group she also managed complex multi-jurisdictional disputes and multi-billion transnational litigation across continents.
She has sat as sole arbitrator, co-arbitrator and chairman in ICC arbitration proceedings. A regular speaker at International legal conferences and symposia, she has spoken as well as chaired panels at conferences in London and throughout the Central and Eastern European Region, Russia and Ukraine, as well as in the Arab World.