Ank Santens is recognized for her analytical rigor, strategic foresight, and excellent communication, excelling in arbitration (Lexology Index 2026). She is described as reliably excellent, combining firmness with client sensitivity (Chambers Global 2025). Clients praise her as a “rockstar” (Chambers USA 2025). She is also regarded as an exceptional, highly intelligent yet pragmatic adviser with deep strategic and technical experience (The Legal 500 Latin America 2026).
Biography
Ank Santens is Global Co-Head of White & Case's International Arbitration Practice. She serves as counsel or arbitrator in commercial, investment, and construction arbitrations around the world, under all major international arbitration rules as well as regional and local rules. Ms. Santens has led cases large and small for clients with remarkable success, including victories in the hundreds of millions of dollars, full cost awards, and favorable amicable settlements. Her industry experience includes energy, infrastructure, construction, telecommunications, mining, life sciences, financial services / insurance / pensions, and consumer goods, among others. Her clients include companies and sovereigns from around the globe, with a focus on Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and the United States.
Ms. Santens is top-ranked and praised for her work by clients and peers alike:
- "Ank Santens - exceptional adviser, highly intelligent but pragmatic and years of experience show in advising on strategy as well as legal technical issues." (The Legal 500 Latin America 2026)
- "Ank Santens is an expert and we like that she is able to adapt to our needs. She can help us with anything, from a written document to achieving specific objectives." (Chambers Latin America 2026)
- "Ank combines analytical rigor, strategic foresight, and excellent communication, excelling in arbitration." (Lexology Index 2026)
- "Ank has deep experience garnered from representing investors and states, acting both as a counsel and arbitrator." "[She] is reliably excellent". "She demonstrates a unique balance of firmness and client sensitivity that sands out." (Chambers Global 2025)
- "Ank is a rockstar." "[She] is recognized for her exceptional advocacy and her ability to handle complex cases." (Chambers USA 2025)
Ms. Santens takes a proactive approach to the resolution and prevention of international disputes, and regularly advises on the drafting of dispute resolution clauses in international contracts and structuring foreign investments. She is the chief editor of The CPR Corporate Counsel Manual for Cross-Border Dispute Resolution, guiding companies through the drafting of international dispute resolution clauses, investment treaty planning, and managing the resulting disputes. Ank has a track record of obtaining early dispute resolution for her clients through creative strategies.
Ms. Santens' client-centered approach stems from her experience early in her career in the legal department of a pharmaceutical company headquartered in New Jersey. She worked in White & Case's Paris office from 2004 to 2006.
Ms. Santens is actively engaged in the international arbitration community. She is the Chair of the Executive Committee of the Foundation for International Arbitration Advocacy (FIAA), a Member of the ICC Court of International Arbitration (on behalf of Belgium), a member of the Board of the CPR Institute and CPR Dispute Resolution, a member of the Board of the New York International Arbitration Center (NYIAC), and an Honorary Overseas Member of the London-based Commercial Bar Association (ComBar).
Past appointments include Chair of CPR's Arbitration Committee, Court Member of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), Member of the Advisory Board of Columbia University's Center for International Commercial and Investment Arbitration (CICIA), Vice Chair of the IBA's Arbitration Committee, service on the ICCA-Queen Mary Task Force on Third Party Funding, Member of the Executive Committee of the Institute for Transnational Arbitration (ITA), advisory member of the Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa (AFSA), member of the Editorial Committee of International Arbitration Case Law, and Member of the Board of Delos Dispute Resolution.
Ms. Santens is on the IEL Energy Arbitrators List and the arbitrator panels of the ICDR (American Arbitration Association), CPR, the Câmara de Conciliação, Mediação e Arbitragem CIESP/FIESP (São Paulo, Brazil), and the Lagos Court of Arbitration (Nigeria).
Ms. Santens is strongly committed to community service. She is a former Board and present emeritus Board member of International Senior Lawyers Project (ISLP), an international pro bono organization, and a proud recipient of ISLP's Global Impact Volunteer Award. She helped Haiti build its international arbitration infrastructure as part of the country's efforts to rebuild and attract foreign investment, and has advised an African country pro bono on its new arbitration legislation. She also served as a Board member of the French-American School of New York.
At White & Case, Ank has served in several leadership roles, including Chair of the New York Women's Network, Head of the Americas Disputes Regional Section, and Secretary of the Firm.
Experience
Commercial cases
- Two parallel ICC arbitrations seated in Miami between a Canadian investor (client) and a Mexican infrastructure company arising out of a joint venture for toll road concessions governed by Mexican law. Concluded by amicable settlement.
- ICC arbitration in New York between two Latin American companies arising out of the sale of a retail business. Concluded by amicable settlement.
- ICC arbitration in New York arising out of the sale of a chemical business pursuant to a New York law governed Share Purchase Agreement. Complete victory for our client.
- ICC arbitration in New York between two European telecommunications companies concerning an indemnity in a New York-law governed Share Purchase Agreement. Concluded by amicable settlement.
- ICC arbitration in New York arising out of a Supply Agreement for the supply of a rare metal. Our client (respondent) defeated several of the claims.
- ICC arbitration seated in Europe and governed by English law, arising out of the privatization by an Eastern European State of the national telecommunications company to a private equity fund. Complete victory for our client.
- Post-acquisition ICC arbitration in New York, governed by New York law, arising out of the purchase by our client of power plants in Thailand and involving breaches of representations and warranties and a price adjustment clause.
- ICC arbitration in Prague between an Eastern European power company (client) and a French electricity group over a failed joint venture. Concluded by amicable settlement.
- Multi-party ICC arbitration in Paris, governed by French law, over the non-payment of $200 million owed to our client for the establishment of a mobile telephone network in an Eastern European country. Concluded by amicable settlement.
- ICC arbitration in London between a European telecommunications company (client) and a Baltic State over the validity of a contract for the construction of a digital television network in the Baltic State. Concluded by amicable settlement.
- Three cases (two LCIA and one ICC), governed by English law and seated in London and Zurich, concerning bauxite/alumina supply contracts. Concluded by amicable settlement.
- LCIA arbitration seated in London under New York law involving an IP dispute. Concluded by amicable settlement.
- ICDR arbitration in New York, governed by New York law, between a Latin American toy distributor (client) and a New York toy supplier. Our client prevailed.
- ICDR arbitration in Charlotte, NC, governed by English law, between a U.S. steel processor and a Belgian steel scrap broker (client) over steel supplies. Concluded by amicable settlement.
- ICDR arbitration in New York between a U.S. food cooperative and an Italian food company (client) over the marketing of food products in the U.S. Concluded by amicable settlement.
- UNCITRAL arbitration between a European manufacturer of aluminum (client) and a Middle Eastern distributor regarding the allegedly wrongful termination of the French-law governed distribution agreement by our client. Concluded by amicable settlement.
Construction/infrastructure cases
- Advised a Latin American State-owned oil company on a New York law governed dispute with Chinese companies in relation to the construction of FPSOs. Concluded by amicable settlement.
- ICDR arbitration in New York under New York law on behalf of the owner of an LNG plant in Nigeria against the contractor, claiming for faulty construction of LNG trains and seeking over US$ 700 million in damages. Concluded by amicable settlement.
- Arbitration under the AAA construction arbitration rules in relation to the construction of a flue gas desulfurization project for a power plant located in the U.S. Illinois law applied.
- UNCITRAL arbitration between an international organization (client) and a Turkish contractor regarding the rehabilitation of a road in Central Asia governed by international law. Concluded by amicable settlement.
- Fast-track ICC arbitration in New York between a Japanese contractor and a Caribbean owner (client) regarding the construction of a desalination and utilities plant in the Caribbean. Prevailed on the claims and defeated the counterclaims.
- LCIA arbitration in London between a European airport and a consortium of European contractors (client) over an alleged defect in the air traffic control system delivered by a subcontractor. Greek law applied. Concluded by amicable settlement.
- CPR arbitration in Connecticut between two U.S. utilities and a European contractor (client) concerning breach of warranty claims arising out of an EPC contract for submarine electrical cables. New York law applied. Our client prevailed on all issues submitted to the Tribunal.
- ICC arbitration in New York between a U.S. energy company and a Latin American company (client) over an unpaid bonus in connection with a pipeline project in Colombia. Colombian law applied. Complete victory for our client.
- Japan Commercial Arbitration Association (JCAA) arbitration in Tokyo between a Japanese contractor (client) and a Japanese subcontractor regarding the construction of a desalination and power plant in North Africa. Concluded by amicable settlement.
- ICC arbitration in Geneva between a Latin American construction company (client) and a consortium of international companies over the construction of a $600 million pipeline in Latin America. New York law applied. Concluded by amicable settlement.
- Cairo Centre arbitration between a Middle Eastern company and a European construction company (client) over the construction of a lube oil plant. Concluded by amicable settlement.
Insurance, Sports, and Maritime cases
- Several ad hoc insurance arbitrations seated in London under New York law on behalf of an international energy insurer. Concluded with victory or amicable settlement.
- Represented the ticket of 12th World Champion Anatoly Karpov and several national chess federations in a Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) arbitration against the World Chess Federation (FIDE) in relation to FIDE's 2010 presidential elections.
- Represented two national chess federations in a CAS arbitration against FIDE in relation to the improper appointment of five Vice Presidents at FIDE's 2010 internal elections.
- Represented a Latin American chemical company in an ad hoc maritime arbitration seated in New York against the Latin American owner of a tanker. Concluded by amicable settlement.
Investment treaty cases
- NC Telecom AS, NC Telecom II AS, WOM Mobile S.A., and WOM S.A. v. Republic of Chile (ICSID Case No. ARB/24/30). Represented the investors. Concluded by amicable settlement.
- PCCW Cascade (Middle East) Ltd. v. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (ICSID Case No. ARB/22/20). Representing the State. Ongoing.
- Honduras Próspera Inc. v. Honduras (ICSID Case No. ARB/23/2). Representing the investors. Ongoing.
- Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and CDP Groupe Infrastructures Inc. v. United Mexican States (ICSID Case No. ARB/23/53). Representing the investor. Ongoing.
- Ernesto Argüello and Juan Carlos Argüello v. Republic of Panama (ICSID Case No. ARB/25/39). Representing the investors. Ongoing.
- MetLife, Inc., MetLife Servicios S.A. and MetLife Seguros de Retiro S.A. v. Argentine Republic (ICSID Case No. ARB/17/17). Representing the investors. Victory on jurisdiction and merits.
- Samsung Engineering Co., Ltd. v. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (ICSID Case No. ARB/17/43). Represented the Kingdom. Result confidential.
- MAKAE Europe SARL v. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (ICSID Case No. ARB/17/42). Represented the Kingdom. Result confidential.
- Represented an Eastern State in a confidential ad hoc investment treaty arbitration brought by Western European investors. Obtained bifurcation on jurisdiction and a dismissal of the case for lack of jurisdiction.
- ENERGO-PRO a.s. v. Republic of Bulgaria (ICSID Case No. ARB/15/19) and EVN AG v. Republic of Bulgaria (ICSID Case No. ARB/13/170. Represented the State in cases concerning electricity regulation across the value chain. Obtained complete victories.
- Novera AD, Novera Properties V.V. and Novera Properties N.V. v. Republic of Bulgaria (ICSID Case No. ARB/12/16). Case concerning waste management services in the City of Sofia, Bulgaria. Represented the State. Result confidential.
Cases as arbitrator
- ICC arbitration between a global chemicals company and a multinational flavors and fragrances company relating to a supply agreement governed by New York law (Chair).
- LCIA arbitration between a European Formula One company and a U.S.-based sponsor relating to a sponsorship agreement (Sole Arbitrator).
- ICC arbitration between a European company and a European State and various State entities relating to a terminated contract for the construction of a power plant (Co-arbitrator).
- CEPANI arbitration between a U.S. multinational and a European individual relating to a former employment relationship (Chair).
- Edmond Khudyan and Arin Capital & Investment Corp. v. Republic of Armenia (ICSID Case No. ARB/17/36) (Co-arbitrator).
- ICDR arbitration related to a uranium supply contract (Co-arbitrator).
- LCIA arbitration between a U.S. third party funder and BVI counsel (Sole Arbitrator).
- ICDR arbitration among several Latin American companies in relation to a dispute under a transportation agreement for the use of a crude oil pipeline in Latin America (Chair).
- ICDR arbitration between a European manufacturer of alcoholic beverages and its US distributor (Co-arbitrator).
- ICC arbitration arising out of an instalment sale and purchase contract for LCD monitors between a Chinese company and a California corporation (Sole Arbitrator).
- Ex aequo et bono CAM Santiago arbitration among parties from various countries concerning the intellectual property rights to certain acoustic wave stimulation technology in the oil industry (Sole Arbitrator).
Executive Education
New York
New York, Harlan Fiske Stone scholar
Belgium, cum laude
Belgium, cum laude
ERASMUS Student, Law Faculty, University of Granada, Spain, magna cum laude
"Global Elite Thought Leader," Lexology Index: Arbitration 2026
"Highly Recommended", Lexology Index: Construction 2026
Leading Partner, International Arbitration, The Legal 500 Latin America 2026
International Arbitration, Counsel, Chambers Latin America 2026
Band 2, International Arbitration, Counsel in USA, Chambers Global 2025
Band 2, International Arbitration, Arbitrators in USA, Chambers Global 2025
Band 2, International Arbitration, Counsel, Chambers USA 2025
Band 2, International Arbitration, Arbitrators, Chambers USA 2025
Lawyers You Need to Know in South America, Lawdragon 2025
International Arbitration – Commercial, The Best Lawyers in America 2025, 2024
Leading Partner, International Arbitration, The Legal 500 USA 2025
Latin America's Top 100 Female Lawyers, Latinvex 2025, 2024
One of 500 Leading Global Litigators, Lawdragon 2025
One of the Top 250 Women in Litigation in the Northeast (United States), Benchmark Litigation 2025
National Practice Area Star, Benchmark Litigation 2025
Litigation Star, Benchmark Litigation 2025
Best in Commercial Arbitration, Euromoney's Americas Women in Business Law Awards 2021 & 2016
Rising Star of the Year, Euromoney's Global Arbitration Awards 2014
One of 44 "Rising Stars" in the New York legal profession, New York Law Journal 2013
One of the world's "45 under 45" leading international arbitration practitioners, Global Arbitration Review 2011
Spoke at the 20th ICC New York Conference on International Arbitration on the panel "Awarding Costs: Pitfalls and Best Practices in Drafting Costs Decisions" (New York, 2025)
Delivered the keynote address titled "The Dual Challenge Facing International Arbitration in a Shifting Global Landscape: Increasingly Vital, yet under Unprecedented Threat" at the CEPANI 2025 Annual Meeting (Brussels, 2025).
Led a workshop at the 37th Annual Workshop of the Institute for Transnational Arbitration (ITA) on "Tribunal-Driven Innovations in Case Management" (Houston, 2025)
Led the FIAA 2025 International Arbitration Advocacy Workshop (Lima, 2025)
Spoke at the inaugural GAR Live Riyadh conference on a panel titled "An ISDS starter kit: back to basics" (Riyadh, 2024)
Co-led a training session on "Multiple arbitration agreements and/or claims" at the ICC Institute of World Business Law's advanced training on Complex Arbitrations, part of the18th ICC New York Conference on International Arbitration (New York, 2023)
Presented "An Overview of Investment Treaty Arbitration" webinar hosted by the Nairobi Centre of International Arbitration, White & Case LLP, and International Senior Lawyers Project (Virtual, 2023)
Spoke on a panel titled "Arbitrating ESG Disputes" at Columbia Arbitration Day (New York, 2023)
Spoke on "Is Latin America facing unusually high risks? An economic analysis and its contractual consequences" as part of a panel at the 20th ICC Miami Conference on International Arbitration (Miami, 2022)
Co-chaired the 33rd Annual Workshop of the Institute for Transnational Arbitration (ITA) on "Arbitrator Ethics in International Arbitration: A Developing Story of Challenges, Codes, Conflicts and Disclosures" and moderated a roundtable on "Emerging Codes of conduct for arbitrators in ISDS" (Virtual, 2021)
Co-chaired the 32nd Annual Workshop of the Institute for Transnational Arbitration (ITA) on "Ethical Challenges with Virtual Arbitration Proceedings" (Virtual, 2020)
Spoke on "The impact of new technology on the arbitration industry" at the SCCA 19th International Conference organized by the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (Riyadh, 2019)
Conducted a mock hearing session and taught a class on "Deliberations and Award, Costs, Interest and Attorneys' Fees" at the Comprehensive Course on International Arbitration organized by Columbia Law School and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (New York, 2019 and 2018)
Spoke on "Representing Sovereign States" at the V CAM-CCBC Pan-American Arbitration Congress (Sao Paulo, 2018)Spoke on "The Law Created by Commercial Arbitrators" at the IBA Annual Meeting (Rome, 2018)
Spoke on "Third-Party Funding in International Arbitration" at an LCIA event (Buenos Aires, 2018)
Moderated a panel on Soft Law in International Arbitration at the IBA Annual Conference (Sydney, 2017)
Advocated at The King's College-Columbia Praelium, a mock hearing event (London, 2016)
Co-chaired the ITA-ASIL Conference "A Spotlight on Ethics in International Arbitration: Advocates, Arbitrators and Awards" (Washington DC, 2016)
"Commonwealth Coatings Corp. v. Continental Cas. Co.: The Supreme Court's Fractured Interpretation of 'Evident Partiality' under the Federal Arbitration Act and its Legacy" in U.S. Supreme Court Precedents on Arbitration: Shaping the American Arbitration Law and Practice (Brill 2025) (with Surya Gopalan and Stephen Hogan-Mitchell)
"Security for Costs: Facially Anti-Arbitration But Upon Consideration Decidedly Pro-Arbitration" in Pro-Arbitration Revisited: A Tribute to Professor George Bermann From His Students (JurisNet 2023) (with Stephen Hogan-Mitchell)
Chief editor of The CPR Corporate Counsel Manual for Cross-Border Dispute Resolution
Belgian country reporter for the World Arbitration Reporter (Juris) (with Olivier Van Outryve)
"Latin American arbitration in transition" in Latin America Focus (White & Case 2021) (with Jonathan C. Hamilton, Viviana Mendez, and Estefanía San Juan)
"Dreaded Dearth of Precedent in the Wake of International Arbitration – Could the Cause also Bring the Cure?" in Arbitration Law Review Vol. 7 (Penn State Dickinson Law 2015) (with Romain Zamour)
"The State of Play of Enforcement of Emergency Arbitrator Decisions," in Maxi Scherer (ed), Journal of International Arbitration, Kluwer Law International 2007, Volume 34, Issue 1, pp. 1 – 16 (with Jaroslav Kudrna)
"Arbitration between main contractor and owner: Can its outcome also bind a subcontractor?," Global Arbitration Review, Vol. 4, Issue 5 (2009) (with Kate Brown de Vejar)
"Costs in International Arbitration: A Plea for a Debate on Early Guidance by the Arbitral Tribunal on the Principles it will Apply when Deciding on Costs" kluwerarbitrationblog.com (2009) (with Olga Mouraviova)
"Expert Determination Clauses in Contracts Providing for International Arbitration – What Happens when the Expert's Decision is Not Final and Binding?" Arb. Int'l., Vol. 23, No. 4, pp. 687 et seq. (2007)
