About Inka Hanefeld
Dr. Inka Hanefeld primarily acts as arbitrator and counsel in international arbitration proceedings in the fields of international trade, industrial plant and machine building, energy, post-M&A and investor-State disputes.
Her expertise has been recognized in various international rankings.
From 2013 to 2019, Inka was nominated by the Federal Republic of Germany for the ICSID list of arbitrators. From 2015 to 2020, she was also a member of the LCIA London Court of International Arbitration, and from 2015 to 2021, Inka served as Vice-President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration.
Before establishing her own private practice in 2005, Inka worked in the dispute resolution department of a leading international law firm for seven years from its offices in Vienna, New York, Frankfurt, and Hamburg. She holds a Master of Laws in International Legal Studies (LL.M.) from New York University School of Law and is admitted to the German and New York Bar. Moreover, she is a member of the Paris Bar (Directive 98/5/EC).
Her working languages are English and German.
Contact
Recognitions
Dr. Inka Hanefeld "earns endorsements for being simply great as an arbitrator thanks to her experience in international trade, post-M&A and investor-state disputes."
Inka Hanefeld is a leading arbitration practitioner extolled by peers as 'brilliant' and 'impressive'. She is exceptionally active in the field and is acclaimed as 'precise, efficient and very capable of handling the largest cases'.
Inka Hanefeld is a highly sought-after arbitrator and counsel known for 'consistently delivering top-class service in complex cases'.
Inka Hanefeld of Hanefeld Rechtsanwälte is regarded as 'very impressive' by her peers. Recognized both as arbitrator and counsel, her expertise in project, trade and post-M&A related disputes is 'top drawer'.
Inka Hanefeld is a 'top arbitrator', 'very professional' with a 'distinct sense of justice'.
Described by one interviewee as "outstanding," Inka Hanefeld is widely considered one of the leading arbitrators in the German and European market, presiding over energy, finance and state-investor disputes, with particular expertise in ICC and ICSID procedures.
Inka Hanefeld [...] has both studied and practiced in New York. She is a well-regarded arbitrator whom interviewees champion as 'extremely organized and sharp-minded'.
"Hailed as an extremely talented and effective advocate for her clients, sources praise Inka Hanefeld [...] for her arbitration expertise."
Inka Hanefeld is "experienced, hands-on and clearly someone to be recommended" in a list of top European arbitrators. Another interviewee praises Inka Hanefeld for her diligence, saying: "You won't ever find a single legal issue she has missed."
Inka Hanefeld [...] in Hamburg is recognized as 'an outstanding choice for arbitration cases - a fantastic advocate with a very successful track record'.
Dr. Inka Hanefeld is "one of the best in the industry"; [an arbitrator] "that only few can match on the international stage"
"Dr. Inka Hanefeld [has] great expertise in the field"; "[is] sensationally well prepared."; "[is] absolutely reliable as co-arbitrator."; "[is] a pioneer for her generation."; "[is] experienced and well connected."
Inka Hanefeld is recognized as one of very few internationally renowned German arbitrators and among the top three arbitrators in the country. She is praised as being a luminary and “working incredibly meticulously on her cases".
Instruments
Areas of practice
Experience
- More than 100 cases as arbitrator, including cases with amounts in dispute valued in the several billions and several cases involving States or State entities
- Co-Arbitrator: 71 arbitrations (ICC, ICSID, SCC, DIS, PCA, VIAC, CEAC, ad hoc), 7 of which involved State-controlled entities or a sovereign State and 3 of which constituted investor-State Treaty Arbitrations
- Presiding Arbitrator: 44 arbitrations (ICC, ICSID, LCIA, DIS, GMAA, CEAC, Hamburg CC, ad hoc), 6 of which involved State-controlled entities and 4 of which constituted investor-State Treaty Arbitrations
- Sole Arbitrator: 7 arbitrations (ICC, DIS, VIAC, Hamburg CC), 1 of which involved a State-controlled entity
Party representation in numerous domestic and international arbitral proceedings (e.g., ICC, ICSID, DIS, ZHK, VIAC, AAA, ad hoc)
- 3x Member of an ICSID Annulment Committee
- 1x Member of a LCIA Challenge Division
Languages and nationality
- English
- German
- German
Curriculum vitae
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2011
Founder of HANEFELD
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2006 - 2011
Friedrich Korch Hanefeld, Hamburg
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2002 - 2005
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Dispute Resolution Department, Frankfurt and Hamburg
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2002
New York State Bar Exam
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1999 - 2002
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Dispute Resolution Department, Vienna and New York
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1998 - 1999
Master of Laws in International Legal Studies (LL.M.), New York University School of Law
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1997 - 1998
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Dispute Resolution Department, Vienna
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1995 - 1997
Legal traineeship (Referendariat) in Lower Saxony including work experience with the United Nations Organization for Industrial Development (UNIDO) in Vienna
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1995
Doctor of Laws (Dr. iur.), University of Hamburg
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1989 - 1993
Studies of law at the University of Hamburg
Academic appointments
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Fellow lecturer at the New York University School of Law
September 2012/2016 -
Lecturer at the University of Hamburg for domestic and international arbitration
2011 until 2013
Memberships
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Member of the Governing Body of the ICC International Court of Arbitration
Since 2022 - Member of the Steering Committee ICC Court Alumni Group
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Vice President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration
From 2015 to 2021 -
Member of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA)
From May 2015 to May 2020 -
Nominated by the Federal Republic of Germany for the ICSID list of arbitrators
From 2013 to 2019