Reed Smith Appoints Timothy Cooke As New Global Chair Of International Arbitration
Reed Smith appoints Timothy Cooke as new global chair of International Arbitration
The Global law firm Reed Smith today announces the appointment of partner Timothy Cooke as chair of the firm’s International Arbitration practice.
Singapore-based Cooke has extensive experience advising on complex, high-value international commercial and investment disputes arising in a broad range of industries. He represents clients across Asia, Europe, the United States and beyond, under all major institutional rules as well as in ad hoc proceedings.
Timothy Cooke possesses a distinguished academic background centered on top-tier UK legal institutions. He earned a B.A., Hons (1st Class) from the University of Cambridge in 1998, completed the Common Professional Examination (CPE) at City University in 1999, and qualified as a barrister through the Bar Vocational Course (BVC) at the College of Law in 2000. Cooke is a qualified barrister and a member of the Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR) of England and Wales. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb) and serves as a director for its Singapore branch. His education and career have focused heavily on commercial litigation and international arbitration, particularly in the energy and infrastructure sectors across Asia.
Formerly the office managing partner of Reed Smith’s Singapore office, Cooke created the Arbitration Pricing Calculator, a mobile app that enables users to forecast arbitration costs across leading arbitral institutions worldwide. Also, he recently spearheaded the firm’s International Arbitration Report 2025, a data-driven analysis of how courts in key arbitral seats assess applications to set aside awards.
Cooke succeeds Peter Rosher, who led the International Arbitration practice since 2022 after taking over the role from José Astigarraga, who was chair from 2017 and remains senior counsel at the firm. During his tenure as chair, Rosher, who has now transitioned to an independent arbitrator role, further strengthened Reed Smith’s position as a leading global arbitration practice, building on the firm’s industry-focused strategy and expanding its international reach.
Cooke said:
"Reed Smith has built a truly global international arbitration practice, distinguished by its industry focus and the strength of its lawyers across key arbitral centres. I am honoured to take on the role of chair and to build on the strong foundations established by Peter and the wider team. Our clients value not only technical excellence in arbitration but also advisors who understand their industries and the commercial realities they face. I look forward to continuing to work with colleagues across the firm to deliver first-class service and to further develop our global arbitration offering."
Perry Napolitano, Reed Smith’s global chair of Litigation, commented,
"We are delighted to welcome Timothy into this role. He is an exceptional arbitration lawyer with a truly international perspective and a deep understanding of our clients’ needs. We are extremely grateful to Peter for his leadership and strategic vision over the past several years. His contribution has been instrumental in further cementing Reed Smith’s position as a leading firm for international arbitration."
For seven consecutive years, Reed Smith’s International Arbitration practice has been ranked in the elite GAR 30, Global Arbitration Review’s list of the world’s leading international arbitration practices.
Rosher said,
"It has been a privilege to lead Reed Smith’s International Arbitration practice and to work alongside such an exceptional global team. I am delighted that Timothy is taking on the role of chair. He is an outstanding arbitration lawyer, and I am confident the practice will continue to go from strength to strength under his leadership."
Reed Smith has offices across the world’s principal arbitration centers, including London, Paris, New York, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Miami and Houston. The firm has one of the largest and most diverse international arbitration teams globally, with more than 100 lawyers, many of whom are embedded within the firm’s industry groups.
Timothy Cooke’s appointment reinforces Reed Smith’s commitment to delivering world-class international arbitration services. With his extensive expertise, global perspective, and leadership credentials, the firm is well-positioned to continue providing clients with high-quality, strategic advice across complex cross-border disputes worldwide.
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