Profile

Bart Legum is a partner in Dentons' Paris office and legacy head of the firm's investment treaty arbitration practice. Bart has over 20 years' experience in litigating complex cases and has argued before numerous international arbitration tribunals, the International Court of Justice and a range of trial and appeals courts in the United States. His practice focuses on international arbitration and litigation in general and arbitration under investment treaties in particular.

From 2000 to 2004, Bart served as Chief of the NAFTA Arbitration Division in the Office of the Legal Adviser, United States Department of State. In that capacity, he acted as lead counsel for the United States Government defending over USD 2 billion in claims submitted to arbitration under the investment chapter of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The United States won every case decided under his tenure.

Bart is the Chair of the Section of International Law of the American Bar Association, an international bar organisation with over 23,000 members from over 90 countries around the world. He also chairs the Executive Committee, the Council and the Administration Committee of this Section. He served as Chair-Elect from 2011-2012, Vice-Chair from 2010-2011, Finance Officer from 2008-2010, Programs Officer from 2006-2008, Chair of the Section’s Disputes Division from 2004-2006 and as Co-Chair of the Section’s International Litigation Committee from 1999 to 2003. He is also an officer of the Mediation Committee of the International Bar Association.