Praised by clients as an “excellent lawyer” with an “unmatched ability to address all of his clients’ needs” in the Legal 500 EMEA 2026, Mohannad A. El-Murtadi Suleiman represents clients in litigation, commercial arbitration, and investor-state disputes across a wide range of sectors, with particular expertise in oil and gas, construction, and shareholders’ disputes.

International Arbitration and Litigation

Mr. El-Murtadi is a seasoned litigator who has represented state-owned and commercial entities, sovereign wealth funds, national oil companies, and governments in arbitrations under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). His experience covers multiple sectors, including construction and infrastructure, natural resources, oil and gas, telecommunications, and transportation. The total value of arbitrations he has been involved in exceeds $30 billion.

Additionally, he has represented clients in numerous enforcement and related local proceedings stemming from international arbitrations and has advised governments and state and commercial entities on enforcement actions. Clients describe him as an “especially creative” litigator, who “is able to find the best resolutions for the most complex of cases.” (Legal 500).

Mr. El Murtadi regularly writes and speaks on matters related to international arbitration and law. His articles have been published in the American Review of International Arbitration (ARIA), Transnational Dispute Management, CPR’s Alternatives to the High Cost of Litigation, LexisNexis Middle East, and Kluwer Arbitration.

Corporate Disputes

In addition to his litigation experience, Mr. El-Murtadi has represented clients in pre-litigation disputes involving joint ventures and corporations, as well as in settlement negotiations in the oil and gas industry with major international oil companies (IOCs). He also regularly advises commercial entities regarding their operations in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, with a special focus on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). In addition, he has advised clients on criminal and civil investigations and proceedings, as well as asset searches and recoveries. His international experience spans jurisdictions such as the KSA, the UAE, Libya, Venezuela, Norway, Switzerland, France, Italy, India, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Mr. El Murtadi is a member of the bars of New York, Washington D.C., and Libya, and has full rights of audience before the courts of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb).

Languages

English

Arabic

French

Education

Fordham University School of Law, LL.M. in International Business and Trade Law

City University of New York, Hunter College, Legal Studies

Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, FCIArb

University of Tripoli, Faculty of Law, Licentiate in Law, First Class Honors

Admitted to Practice

New York

Washington, D.C.

Libya

DIFC, full rights

England and Wales (Registered Foreign Lawyer)

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)

Courts

U.S. Supreme Court

U.S. District Court - Eastern District of New York

U.S. District Court - Northern District of New York

U.S. District Court - Southern District of New York

U.S. District Court - District of Columbia

Dubai International Financial Centre Courts

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Courts

Membership

International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Commission on Arbitration and ADR (UAE)

Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

— Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

American Bar Association

New York State Bar Association

The Association of the Bar of the City of New York

Libyan Bar Association

International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR)

— Arbitration Committee

— Dispute Prevention Committee

— Energy, Oil, and Gas Alliance

Mohannad A. El-Murtadi Suleiman