Biography
Niels Aujouannet-Kelner is an Associate in the International Arbitration Group in Paris. His practice includes international commercial and investment arbitration, as well as related litigation proceedings, including enforcement and annulment proceedings before French courts and disputes involving on-demand guarantees. He has particular experience in the energy, construction and cryptocurrency sectors.
Prior to joining White & Case, Niels completed his LL.M. in International Business Regulation, Litigation and Arbitration at New York University. Niels also holds master's degrees from Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University and ESSEC Business School.
Before completing his LL.M., he acquired experience in international arbitration and litigation with major international law firms in Paris. Niels also gained experience as in-house counsel at a leading aircraft manufacturer.
He is actively involved in the international arbitration community, in particular as Vice-President of Paris Arbitration Week, as a lecturer at universities and business schools, and as a regular speaker at conferences in Europe and Africa. He also previously coached the team representing Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University at the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot.
Experience
Niels' experience includes:
Representing a first energy provider in multiple ICC arbitrations (and associated enforcement and annulment proceedings in France and Spain) arising out of a EUR€ 200 million project for the construction of a power plant in West Africa;
Representing a second energy provider in a pending ICC arbitration arising out of a EUR€ 100 million project for the construction of a power plant in West Africa;
Representing a third energy provider in a pending ICC arbitration arising out of a EUR€ 200 million project for the construction of a power plant in West Africa;
Representing an Asian State in French enforcement proceedings related to a US$ 300 million investment award;
Representing a leading contractor in Dispute Board proceedings related to the construction of a hydroelectric facility in North Africa;
Representing leading transportation company in pending ICC arbitration proceedings related to a EUR€ 4 billion M&A transaction;
Represented a telecom company in French annulment proceedings related to a favorable US$ 650 million award;
Represented client in ICC arbitration proceedings related to a US$40 billion LNG project in Asia-Pacific;
Represented an Eastern European State in ICC arbitration proceedings related to a road project, as well as in subsequent annulment proceedings before the French courts;
Represented an American company in ICC arbitration proceedings related to the construction of an industrial plant in France;
Represented a consulting company in ICC proceedings related to the sale of war material in the Middle East; and
Advising (pre-arbitration) clients (investors, states, companies, individuals) in the construction, energy, cryptocurrency, mining and pharmaceutical sectors.
"Paris Court of Appeal refuses to set aside ICC award against non-party (Kabab-Ji v Kout Food Group)", Lexis®PSL, 16 July 2020 (with Elizabeth Oger-Gross)
"Dallah Revisited: The French and English Courts in Conflict Again Regarding Arbitral Jurisdiction Over Non-Signatories", White & Case Client Alert, 9 July 2020 (with Paul Brumpton, Elizabeth Oger-Gross and Bryony Withers)
