Elena Rizzo

Elena Rizzo

Associate
Elena is really good at client relations and makes sure we are on top of the issues. She is a strong writer and advocate for our positions.
— Chambers USA, 2025
New York
About

Recognized by Chambers USA and The Legal 500 United States, Elena Rizzo concentrates her practice on international investment and commercial arbitration. She has represented international companies, sovereign states, and state‑owned entities in matters under leading institutional and ad hoc arbitration rules, including those of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), and the American Arbitration Association (AAA). Her experience spans the construction, logistics, oil and gas, renewable energy, pharmaceutical, and software sectors.

Elena maintains an active pro bono practice. Notable representations include briefing and arguing appeals that established precedent on custody and visitation requirements in New York, trying contested custody and divorce matters, and securing Special Immigrant Juvenile Status for immigrant minors. In 2023, Sanctuary for Families recognized her pro bono work with its Above & Beyond Award.

Elena is an active member of the New York arbitration community. She serves as the London Court of International Arbitration's Regional Representative for North America and previously served on the CPR Y‑ADR Steering Committee and the New York City Bar Association Arbitration Committee.

Areas of FocusLitigation, Arbitration and InvestigationsInternational Arbitration
Bar admissionsNew York

EXPERIENCE

  • Representing US energy giant in a Spanish language, Mexican law ICC arbitration, seated in New York, arising out of a combined cycle power plant
  • Representing software company in the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) arbitration arising out of the creation and implementation of an online learning managing platform system
  • Representing international hotel company in ICDR arbitration arising out of multiple contracts with franchisees
  • Representing pharmaceutical company in connection with multilateral investment treaty claims
  • Representing manufacturer of irrigation systems in ICC arbitration arising out of engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts
  • Represented software company in ICC arbitration arising out of contract for resale of software and related services
  • Represented minority shareholder in ICDR arbitration seeking dissolution of healthcare service company
  • Advised cryptocurrency exchange platform on drafting of arbitration clauses
  • Represented two investors in connection with their bilateral investment treaty (BIT) claim arising out of investments in the renewable energy sector
  • *Represented a state-owned company against contractor in an ICC arbitration arising out of an engineering, procurement, installation and commissioning (EPIC) contract for the construction of a gas facility
  • *Represented a state-owned company against joint venture partner in multiple ICC arbitrations arising out of a shareholders' agreement
  • *Advised a sovereign state in connection with claims by another sovereign state arising out of international treaty
  • *Represented a state-owned company against joint venture company in multiple ICC arbitrations arising out of a crude oil supply agreement
  • *Represented a commercial entity against a Fortune 500 company in an AAA-ICDR arbitration arising out of a shareholders' agreement relating to management disputes, handling, and export of grain
  • *Represented a Latin American agro-industrial group in a Section 1782 proceeding seeking discovery for use in foreign proceedings

*Denotes matters in which Elena worked on at a previous firm

Languages
  • Italian
  • Spanish
  • French

Awards

Chambers USA

  • Associate to Watch, International Arbitration: Counsel, (2025)

The Legal 500 United States

  • Recommended, International Arbitration, (2024)
Education
  • LL.M., International Business and Trade Law, Fordham University School of Law, 2015
    magna cum laude
    Edward and Elizabeth Hawk Prize
    Robert Shuman Prize
  • Law Degree, International Law, Luiss Guido Carli University, 2015
    cum laude
  • Exchange Program, Singapore Management University, 2012

Publications

  • Co-author, "D.C. Circuit finds that foreign court's order setting aside award has no bearing on district court's jurisdiction," ICC Dispute Resolution Bulletin, September 2022

Seminars

  • Moderator, "The Experts' Expert Approach," New York Arbitration Week, November 17, 2025
  • Speaker, "The Swords and Shields of Arbitrating IP Disputes in California and Beyond," California Arbitration Week, March 14, 2024
  • Speaker, "The GAR Live Debate on Blockchain Arbitration," Gar Live: Technology Disputes 2024, March 13, 2024
  • Moderator, "The Freedom of Neutral and Parties to Innovate the ADR Process," International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR) Annual Meeting, March 7, 2024
  • Speaker, "International Perspectives on Dispute Prevention through Escalation Clauses," CPR Global Conference, December 7, 2023

My latest insights

Publication

Supreme Court unanimously decides that federal courts must stay, and not dismiss, cases...

24 May 2024 .5 minute read

Publication

CFTC establishes Environmental Fraud Task Force and solicits tips on potential fraud and...

11 July 2023 .2 minute read

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Phone

+1 212 335 4854
(Work, New York)