Head of Trade Law Jo Feldman is a disputes partner with deep expertise in international arbitration and managing geopolitical risk. She acts for clients across the energy, infrastructure, critical minerals, and technology sectors, managing complex disputes and advising on the management of geopolitical and regulatory risk.
Jo has particular expertise in investment treaty and commercial arbitrations under a range of institutional rules, free trade agreements, and bilateral investment treaties. Her practice extends to advising on foreign investment regulation, ESG, business and human rights, ITAR, tariffs, dumping, sanctions and export controls.
Jo works with boards and executive teams to develop international strategy, manage regulatory change and respond to global market disruption.
She has held senior roles across government and international institutions, including the United Nations, World Intellectual Property Organization, and World Trade Organization. She is the Vice President of the Centre for International Arbitration (Australia Branch) and sits on the expert advisory committee for Australia for UNCITRAL. Jo has a Masters in Law from the University of Cambridge (Chevening Scholar).
Key deals
Australian resources major
Advising on an investor-State arbitration under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in relation to regulatory approvals on an open-pit mine in North America.
Global tech major
Advising on import and export restrictions in contracts and legislation that apply to technology projects between Australia and the United States.
Mining services company
Counsel in a commercial arbitration before International Commercial Arbitration Centre (ICAC, Ukraine) regarding alleged breach of a contract between an Australian and Ukrainian company triggered by sanctions against Russia.
Sub-national government
Advising a provincial government on an UNCITRAL investor-State arbitration brought by a resources company for the largest quantum in history.
Government
Counsel on the WTO arbitration United States – Definitive Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties on Certain Products from China, WTO/DS379/AB.
Government
Advised on Australia on the WTO arbitration China – Measures Related to the Exportation of Rare Earths WTO/DS431/R.