PROFILE
Marlen Smbatyan from Armenia, is a Partner in our firm and an experienced Advocate, Mediator, Arbitrator, and legal executive with a distinguished record and a particular focus on international commercial law, investment arbitration, cross-border litigation and corporate structuring. He advises clients across sectors including technology, mining, consumer goods, education, and financial services, with deep expertise in international dispute resolution, offshore structuring, and multi-jurisdictional compliance.
With over a decade of practice, Marlen has represented some of the world’s most recognisable multinational corporations—including an American multinational technology conglomerate, a leading global tobacco manufacturer, a major European personal care products company, and one of the world’s largest fast food chains—in both contentious and transactional matters. His broad international experience includes acting as counsel in international arbitration proceedings, representing clients before Armenian courts, and leading in-house legal departments for technology and crypto-asset companies across Europe, the UAE, and the Caribbean.
Marlen is a qualified Armenian Advocate who has worked before some of the best institutional arbitrations, from ICC, DIAC, SIAC and the DIFC-LCIA Centres. He has also worked with teams that worked effortlessly in matters before the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Courts, UAE Courts and the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts. Marlen also maintains an active academic profile, lecturing on International Commercial Law, Arbitration, Legal Ethics, and Advocacy at leading universities in Armenia. His work reflects a combination of strategic insight, rigorous legal analysis, and a strong commitment to the ethical practice of law across jurisdictions.
Mr. Marlen Smbatyan
marlen.smbatyan@gmail.com, arbmarlen.smbatyan@gmail.com
+123 456 78999
231, Utah Downtown Mall, USA
• Represented as the counsel of record, one of the largest American multinational fast food corporations in a nationally reported litigation before Armenian courts.
• Acted as counsel in an ad hoc arbitration proceedings and contributed to legal strategy in an LCIA arbitration involving a major Armenian mining conglomerate, covering cross-border disputes involving UK and Cyprus jurisdictions.
• Advised a leading American multinational technology company, a global tobacco manufacturing group, and a European personal care products giant, on international commercial law, corporate structuring, and dispute resolution matters.
• Provided legal support for multi-jurisdictional offshore structuring, including incorporation and licensing in the UAE, Malta, Singapore, Switzerland, British Virgin Islands, and Armenia, in both advisory and executive capacities.
• Headed legal departments as General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer in international groups with business lines in crypto asset custody, blockchain technology, software development, and digital services, leading legal operations, contract negotiation, and compliance efforts across Europe and the Middle East.
• Led legal negotiations and documentation in employment class actions, international transactions, and cross-border regulatory matters in tech and financial sectors.
• Represented business clients in international arbitration proceedings and litigation before Armenian courts, involving commercial, regulatory, and investment disputes.
• Taught as a Visiting Lecturer at prestigious Armenian institutions on International Commercial Law, Arbitration, Advocacy, and Legal Ethics, reflecting a deep commitment to legal education and ethical dispute resolution.
Work Experience
• THE DICKSON POON SCHOOL OF LAW, KING’S COLLEGE LONDON, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON, (UK).
• Member of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb).
• Member of LCIA European Users’ Council.
• Member of the Young International Arbitration Group (LCIA, London Court of International Arbitration).
QUALIFICATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
In practice, Marlen advises a wide spectrum of clients—ranging from private individuals to multinational corporations—on matters involving commercial contracts, investment disputes, maritime and energy claims, and international business transactions. His arbitration skills are underpinned by a strong academic foundation in arbitral jurisprudence and a published track record, including award-winning participation in the FDI Moot and authorship in leading arbitration journals.
Professional Skills
• Russian (fluent proficiency)
• English (fluent proficiency)
• French (basic proficiency)