Kabir DUGGAL

Professor Duggal is a partner in Akin’s international arbitration practice based in New York. He has extensive experience as counsel in complex, high-stakes investor-state and international commercial arbitrations across regions and industries. His practice spans disputes arising under bilateral and multilateral investment treaties and sophisticated commercial contracts, involving states, state-owned entities and multinational corporations, in the energy, infrastructure, construction, mining and telecom, media and technology (TMT) sectors.

Alongside his work as counsel, Kabir has served as arbitrator in more than 70 disputes. He is a Chartered Arbitrator, a Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) accredited mediator and is listed on, or appointed to, the rosters of leading arbitral institutions worldwide.

Kabir has taught international arbitration at Columbia Law School for over 15 years, where he serves as a Senior Fellow and Advisor to the Center for International Commercial and Investment Arbitration. He is also an adjunct professor at Fordham Law School, and has been a visiting professor to the University of São Paulo, Universidad de Los Andes, Universidad Externardo de Colombia and the National Law School of Jodhpur.

Kabir is a widely cited authority and keynote speaker on international arbitration and public international law. He has authored over seven books and 50 articles, with his work frequently cited by arbitral tribunals and national courts. He serves as an expert before arbitral tribunals and has spoken at over 500 conferences, symposia and professional events around the world.

Beyond his practice and scholarship, Kabir is deeply engaged in arbitration policy, institution-building and capacity development. He is appointed to the United Nations Steering Committee for Least Developed Countries and also works closely with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Commercial Law Development program. He has advised and trained governments and institutions worldwide on treaty negotiation, dispute prevention, and Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) strategy. His public international law experience includes work with the World Bank and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).