Colleagues have paid tribute to leading international arbitrator and human rights advocate Emmanuel Gaillard, who has died at the age of 69.
The French lawyer's new boutique arbitration firm Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes (GBSD) has confirmed his unexpected death on 1 April.
Gaillard was the former head of arbitration at Shearman Sterling, the legal partner of UK charity Human Rights at Sea (HRAS).
HRAS chief executive CEO David Hammond said: "The passing of Emmanuel is a tragic loss for his family, friends and all whom he came in contact with.
"Human Rights at Sea was privileged to have had his engagement, wisdom and support in our ongoing and developing maritime arbitration work alongside his current and former colleagues."
Victim-led focus
Professor Gaillard founded Shearman Sterling in 1987 and was also a key stakeholder in the ongoing development of the new victim-led ad hoc international Human Rights at Sea Arbitration tribunal.
GBSD, which was set up in February this year, said the lawyer was "a totem in the world of international arbitration, and a source of inspiration for lawyers across the world.
"Arbitrators, practitioners, academics, and clients universally admired his brilliance, integrity, humanity and dedication."
The firm said Gaillard was emblematic of the development of a transnational system of international justice.
Mentor and teacher
"His vision and intellectual contributions framed the development of international arbitration to its current state. They will continue to influence practitioners and academics for years to come," the company added.
Gaillard was described as an inspirational mentor, teacher, and colleague.
During a 40-year career, he developed his own unique brand of arbitration, consisting of "fearless advocacy, incisive strategic thinking and the willingness to consistently challenge orthodoxies," GBSD said.
Wit and humour
The firm also talked of his wit, humour and youthful energy.
"We are all deeply affected by the loss of Emmanuel and at the same time so grateful for the opportunity to have accompanied such a great man on part of his journey," his colleagues said.
Shearman Sterling antitrust partner James Webber said on LinkedIn that Gaillard was a "giant figure at our firm and in his field for so long".
Barney Reynolds, the firm’s global head of finance, added the lawyer was "a hugely valued and respected colleague and friend".
The ICC International Court of Arbitration expressed its deep grief and extended sincere condolences to Gaillard’s colleagues, friends and family.
Debt of gratitude
"Every arbitration practitioner, anywhere in the world, is indebted in one way or another to him," the ICC said.
Gaillard studied law at Pantheon-Assas University in France and completed his PhD in law there in 1981. He became a professor of law in 1982.
In 2005, he made headlines when he began representing the majority shareholders of Russian oil company Yukos against the Russian Federation.
Yukos claimed compensation of up to $50bn for its indirect appropriation by the state, the largest international arbitration ever.
Eventually, in 2014, awards of more than $50bn were made against the Russian Federation by a tribunal constituted under the Energy Charter Treaty.
