Onur Saka
Biography
Overview
Onur Saka is an associate in White & Case's top-ranked commercial litigation and international arbitration practices. Onur represents companies and sovereign states in high-stakes and complex business disputes before international courts and arbitration tribunals, such as those formed under the auspices of the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).
Onur is also a member of the Firm's Global Technology Industry Group. He strategizes and manages complex civil and regulatory matters across Europe, Middle East, and Africa to advise on regulatory, legislative, product, and related policy issues that impact technology and social media companies.
Onur's practice spans a wide range of industries, including technology, finance, energy, mining and minerals, and construction. His dual training and experience in the civil and common law jurisdictions allow him to understand the differences between various legal systems and structure advice accordingly. Onur is also actively involved in pro bono matters at the Firm.
Experience
Grupo Unidos por el Canal, S.A., major construction dispute (ICC), ongoing
Representing the main contractor and its shareholders on one of the world's largest infrastructure projects located in Central America, in a series of ICC arbitrations against the employer.
Bursel Tekstil and others v. Republic of Uzbekistan, ongoing
Representing the Republic of Uzbekistan in an ICSID arbitration under the Turkey-Uzbekistan bilateral investment treaty relating to an investment in the textile industry.
Güneş Tekstil and others v. Republic of Uzbekistan
Representing the Republic of Uzbekistan in an ICSID arbitration under the Turkey-Uzbekistan bilateral investment treaty arising out of a dispute concerning shopping facilities in Uzbekistan.
Federal Elektrik and others v. Republic of Uzbekistan
Representing the Republic of Uzbekistan in an ICSID arbitration under the Turkey-Uzbekistan bilateral investment treaty and the Energy Charter Treaty, in a dispute concerning the natural gas industry.
DP World Callao and others v. Republic of Perú
Representing the Republic of Perú in an ICSID arbitration relating to a port terminal concession.
Spentex Netherlands, B.V. v. Republic of Uzbekistan
Represented the Republic of Uzbekistan in an ICSID arbitration under the Netherlands-Uzbekistan bilateral investment treaty arising out of a dispute involving the textile industry. Uzbekistan prevailed in obtaining the dismissal of all of the claims totaling US$130 million.
Abaclat & Others v. Argentine Republic
Represented tens of thousands of Italian holders of Argentine sovereign bonds in an ICSID arbitration under the Italy-Argentina BIT. Claimants prevailed in obtaining a cash settlement in 2016 worth over US$ 1 billion.
Speaker: Arbitration/ADR & Policy Updates from the Middle East, ABA Middle East Committee, June 15, 2022
Panel Member: Expert Witness Examination in International Arbitration, Marmara University (Turkey) and Istanbul Arbitration Center, June 30, 2021
Panel Member: Carriers in International Arbitration, ABA & University of California Law Schools, March 21, 2021
Panel Member: Complex Dispute Resolution, International Law Institute, October 29, 2019
Mass Claims in Investment Arbitration, ICC Dossiers, Class and Group Actions in Arbitration (International Chamber of Commerce 2016) (with Carolyn B. Lamm and Eckhard R. Hellbeck)
Global Financial Disruptions and Investment Treaty Arbitration, P.R.I.M.E. Finance 2015 (with Carolyn B. Lamm, Eckhard R. Hellbeck, and David P. Riesenberg)