Romain Dethomas
Of Counsel
Romain is an experienced international arbitration lawyer based in Paris, guiding clients through complex commercial and investment arbitrations, and related proceedings before French courts.
Of Counsel
Romain is an experienced international arbitration lawyer based in Paris, guiding clients through complex commercial and investment arbitrations, and related proceedings before French courts.
Languages - French, English, Spanish and Portuguese
Jurisdictions - Paris and New York
Romain Dethomas advises clients on complex cross-border disputes, including commercial and investment arbitrations, as well as related proceedings before French courts.
Romain has extensive experience handling high-stakes arbitral proceedings under all major arbitration rules (ICC, ICSID, UNCITRAL, LCIA, SIAC, DIAC). He is also particularly recognized for his expertise in enforcement and annulment proceedings in France, including landmark cases involving sovereign entities, parallel proceedings, and multi-jurisdictional enforcement strategies.
He works with clients across sectors such as telecommunications, infrastructure, energy, aviation, and automotive. His practice often involves geopolitical, regulatory, or enforcement challenges, requiring coordination across jurisdictions and legal systems.
Before joining Stephenson Harwood, Romain practiced for over 10 years in the international arbitration teams of leading Paris firms Bredin Prat and Derains & Gharavi. He also served on the executive committee of an international listed group, giving him valuable insight into the commercial, operational, and strategic considerations faced by clients in complex disputes.
A graduate of Harvard Law School (LL.M), Sciences-Po, and Université Paris II Panthéon-Assas, Romain is qualified in Paris and New York. He regularly writes, teaches, and speaks on developments in international arbitration and French arbitration law.
Romain is fluent in French, English, and Spanish, and proficient in Portuguese. He has deep knowledge of Latin America having lived in Brazil and Argentina.
He is dedicated to delivering strategic and efficient solutions for clients facing their most challenging international disputes.
Malaysia - arbitration-related litigation
Successfully represented Malaysia in annulment and other related proceedings before French courts in relation to a $15 billion award rendered in favour of Filipino citizens (Sultan of Sulu case).*
Tecnimont - arbitration-related litigation for the construction industry
Lebanon - investment arbitration for the aviation industry
Successfully represented Lebanon in an ICSID Arbitration (and subsequent ICSID annulment proceedings) initiated by a German investor in the aviation sector claiming over $1 billion (ARB/15/3),*
Confidential - commercial arbitration for the automotive industry
Represented a European car manufacturer in a settled post M&A ICC arbitration against another car manufacturer in relation to a recall.*
Confidential - commercial arbitration for the energy industry
Successfully represented a European energy company in a post M&A ICC arbitration against another energy company in relation to their completion accounts.*
Confidential - commercial arbitration for the waste industry
Successfully represented a Middle Eastern waste management company in an ICC arbitration against an African State in relation to the termination by the State of a waste management contract.*
Confidential - commercial arbitration and arbitration-related litigation for the shipping industry
Successfully represented a Middle Eastern HNWI in an ICC arbitration and related French proceedings (including annulment proceedings) against a European shipbuilder in relation to the termination of a shipbuilding contract.*
Confidential - commercial arbitration for the telecommunications industry
Represented a European telecommunication company in an ICC arbitration against a Middle Eastern company in relation to a contract whose performance was impacted by sanctions.*
Confidential - construction arbitration for the defence industry
Represented a European defence company in SIAC and DIAC arbitrations against an Easter-European energy company in relation to the performance of an EPC Contract in the Middle East.*
Confidential - Secretary of the Tribunal for the energy industry
Secretary of the Tribunal in an ICC arbitration in Spanish language between Latin American energy companies in relation to the performance of a Power Purchase Agreement.*
*The above cases were handled as a team member at previous firms, prior to joining Stephenson Harwood.
