International Arbitration Practice at Duane Morris Gets New Co-Chairs in London and Chicago-Based Partners

International Arbitration Practice at Duane Morris Gets New Co-Chairs in London and Chicago-Based Partners

Duane Morris, an American multinational law firm has recently appointed new leaders to head its international arbitration practice, with one partner based in the UK and the other in the US co-chairing the division. Vijay Bange in London and Owen Newman in Chicago have been selected for the positions.

This move by the Philadelphia-based firm signifies that its international arbitration services have now achieved significant momentum.

“Cross-border disputes and arbitration are a core area of further expansion and investment to serve our global client base, and Vijay and Owen have the energy and drive to write the next chapter,” The firm’s chairman and CEO Matthew Taylor said.

According to Taylor, both Vijay Bange and Owen Newman will collaborate across Duane Morris' worldwide network and provide support to the firm's teams in significant arbitration centres such as London and Singapore.

Bange joined the firm in 2020 after roughly 12 years at Trowers & Hamlins, following an earlier spell at Pinsent Masons.

He specialises in cross-border construction, engineering, and energy disputes across large international infrastructure projects.

Newman is a Chicago-based litigation partner focusing on complex, multijurisdictional disputes. He joined the firm in 2017, having previously worked as a project manager and regional director for the global engineering and construction firm Black & Veatch.

Bange, who specialises in cross-border construction, engineering, and energy disputes involving large international infrastructure projects, joined Duane Morris in 2020 after spending around 12 years at Trowers & Hamlins, with an earlier stint at Pinsent Masons.

On the other hand, Owen Newman is a litigation partner based in Chicago, with a focus on complex multijurisdictional disputes. Before joining the firm in 2017, he worked as a project manager and regional director for the global engineering and construction company Black & Veatch.

Duane Morris stated that Newman's "dirty boots" experience, gained from his time as a project manager and regional director at Black & Veatch, enables him to work closely with clients and their project teams, offering practical assistance on commercial, claims, and risk management issues for major projects that have significant financial and reputational implications.