The Washington Foreign Law Society
is pleased to announce its role as a supporting organization for
the Global Disputes Summit (GDS)
The first-ever Washington, D.C. edition of the Global Disputes Summit (GDS) will take place on 19 February 2026 at JAMS. This inaugural D.C. Summit will focus on energy and commercial disputes, bringing together leading practitioners, experts, and decision-makers for an afternoon of substantive discussion and exchange. The program will feature three expert-led panel discussions, interspersed with coffee breaks, and will conclude with a networking reception, providing an opportunity to engage with peers from across the disputes community.
Date: 19 February, 2026
Location: JAMS (1050 K St NW Suite 800, Washington, DC 20001)
To register, click here
Schedule of Panels
Panel 1 | Energy Transition and Quantum Complexity: Valuing Change in an Uncertain Market (14:40–15:40)
Speakers: Dr. Fabricio Nuñez (NERA), Ria Abichandani (Compass Lexecon), Thomas G. Allen (K&L Gates), José Antonio Rivas (Xtrategy LLP)
Moderator: Rosario Galardi (Freshfields US LLP)
Panel 2 | The Geopolitics of Disputes: Navigating Sanctions, State Intervention, and Cross-Border Enforcement (15:50–16:50)
Speakers: Chloe Baldwin (Steptoe), Courtney Hikawa (Norton Rose Fulbright), Ian A. Laird (Crowell & Moring LLP), Nicolle Kownacki (White & Case)
Moderator: Marney Cheek (Covington & Burling LLP)
Panel 3 | Navigating M&A and Post-Acquisition Disputes (17:10–18:10)
Speakers: Bobby Earles (Cooley), Bryan D’Aguiar (Secretariat), Katie Gonzalez (Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP), Lisa D. Love, Esq., FCIArb (JAMS)
Moderator: Eleanor Erney (Hughes Hubbard & Reed)