Browne Jacobson appoints Bernhard Maier as Head of Arbitration

UK and Ireland law firm Browne Jacobson has appointed Bernhard Maier as a Partner to lead its Arbitration practice.

Bernhard brings nearly 20 years’ experience in complex international dispute resolution and public international law, having advised on high-value commercial and investment treaty arbitrations across the energy and natural resources, technology, and healthcare sectors. He joins Browne Jacobson from leading disputes boutique Signature Litigation and is qualified in both England and Wales, and New York.

Bernhard’s appointment marks another strategic milestone for Browne Jacobson as the firm continues to strengthen its cross-border disputes capability and expand its international client base.

This forms part of a broader growth strategy focused on delivering high-value mandates for corporates across a range of both contentious and non-contentious matters, particularly in regulated and innovation-driven sectors. 

The expansion of the Arbitration practice underscores the firm’s investment in international arbitration as a growing area of client demand, reflecting the increasingly global nature of disputes faced by its clients.

A visiting professor at King’s College London and a member of the UK Attorney General’s C Panel for Public International Law, Bernhard also regularly sits as an arbitrator and is widely recognised by leading directories for his technical insight and legal acumen.

Recent highlights of Bernhard’s practice include securing a significant damages award on behalf of the founders of a leading fintech startup in Asia, advising an oil and gas company in two parallel multi-billion-dollar arbitrations against a Central Asian State, and representing a leading mining company in a US$350m UNCITRAL arbitration against a West African State.

Declan Cushley, Partner and Head of Corporates at Browne Jacobson, said: “Over the past few years, we have significantly invested in our capabilities to support corporate clients with complex, high-stakes legal matters – whether transactional, regulatory or contentious.

“Our established client base includes multinationals, high-growth companies and institutions across financial services, tech, health and government. Bernhard’s arrival  enhances the strategic value we can offer and supports our ambition to be a leading adviser on complex international disputes.”

Jonathan Tardif, Partner and Head of Commercial Disputes at Browne Jacobson, said: “I am delighted to welcome Bernhard to the team. His exceptional talent and track record adds demonstrable strength to our ability to deliver sophisticated arbitration and public international law advice.

“His technical expertise, sector experience and international background are also a natural fit with our growing global disputes practice. This follows the recent appointment of Danielle Carr to lead our Commercial Dispute Resolution team in London and reflects the firm’s continued investment in building a market-leading disputes platform.”

Bernhard Maier, Partner and Head of Arbitration at Browne Jacobson, said: “It was an easy decision to join Browne Jacobson at a time of such international growth and opportunity for the firm. Our clients are navigating increasingly complex geopolitical and commercial environments, and the firm is well positioned – through its strong UK and Ireland presence, and international partnerships – to advise on the most sophisticated disputes. I look forward to working with colleagues across the firm to deliver expert, strategic and pragmatic support in their most significant matters.”

Browne Jacobson’s international Arbitration practice advises states, corporates and investors on all aspects of commercial and investment treaty arbitration, as well as complex matters of public international law. The team has acted in high-value and high- profile disputes across sectors including natural resources, healthcare, energy and technology, and regularly appears in proceedings under all major arbitral rules.

The appointment of Bernhard Maier, and of Danielle Carr as Head of Commercial Dispute Resolution in London, follows the addition of a technology and commercial law team in London from EY Law and the establishment of an international litigation practice in Dublin led by Ciaran Markey, both of which further enhanced the firm’s capabilities in end-to-end technology legal services to clients across UK and Ireland.

Browne Jacobson's dispute resolution professionals advise domestic and international clients, including leading organisations, on the UK and Irish elements of international disputes and regulatory investigations. The team is also skilled at managing the progression and resolution of international disputes, and regulatory investigations in other common and civil law jurisdictions around the world.