Ben Grunberger-Kirsh
Ben is a member of the firm’s International Dispute Resolution practice group. Prior to joining Vinson & Elkins, he worked for a multinational defence contractor in Washington DC. Ben is admitted in England as a Solicitor Advocate.
Ben is described in Legal 500 UK 2023 as a “star” who “is definitely rising fast. He is a wise head on young shoulders. He wins clients’ trust easily and is really coming into his own as a specialist in offshore construction disputes”. Sources also say Ben is “excellent. He is always on top of the detail – he displays creativity in terms of working out what the best points are and how to get them across. Very easy to work with” (Legal 500 UK 2022).
Experience Highlights
Acting on a number of ICC arbitrations and referrals to a Dispute Adjudication Board in connection with the design and construction of a major maritime project in Central America
Advising an international contractor in relation to issues arising out the construction of an offshore wind farm
Representing a contractor in adjudication proceedings against a sub-contractor in relation to issues arising out of the construction of an offshore wind farm
Advising an international contractor in relation to a wind farm project in the Far East
Acting for a European contractor in a billion dollar ICC arbitration arising out of the cancellation of a major offshore pipeline project
Representing a major Saudi Arabian contractor in ICC proceedings in relation to the construction of a gas-fired combined heat and power plant
Representing an International Financial Institution in arbitration proceedings against a mining company concerning a multimillion dollar loan dispute
Representing an international pharmaceutical company in multiple parallel international arbitration proceedings concerning insurance coverage disputes
Representing a private equity company in parallel ICC arbitrations in relation to a breach of warranty dispute
Representing an international EPC contractor and specialist waste-to-energy plant provider in major disputes concerning the design of a waste-to-energy plant in the UK
Representing a utilities contractor in an adjudication brought by a consortium partner in a dispute concerning the design and construction of a substation
Representing a contractor in an adjudication over disputed payments in relation to equipment and materials handling services
Representing investors in expropriation and unfair treatment claim against the Republic of Costa Rica under the Dominican Republic – Central America Free Trade Agreement (“DR-CAFTA”)
Credentials
- College of Law, LL.B, First Class Honours, 2014
- University of Cambridge, B.A. History, First Class Honours (Scholar, Corpus Christi College), 2010
- Legal 500 UK, Real Estate: Construction, 2023 and 2024
- Global Arbitration Review GAR 30, 2024
- Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales
- Rankings & AwardsMarch 22, 2024
- Rankings & AwardsOctober 4, 2023
- Deals & CasesAugust 25, 2023
- Rankings & AwardsSeptember 29, 2022