Wordstone launches US office and welcomes partner, David Bigge

We are pleased to announce that David Bigge will join the firm this month, as partner and lead of the firm’s new Washington, D.C. office. David brings 25 years of experience in public international law, investment arbitration, and complex commercial disputes, strengthening the firm’s ability to advise on complex cross-border matters.

David is widely regarded as a “truly public international law lawyer,” a reputation earned through a distinguished 16‑year career at the U.S. Department of State. He joined the Department in 2010 to work on investment disputes and went on to lead the U.S. team as Chief of Investment Arbitration from 2023 to 2026. In that role, he oversaw the defense of approximately $17 billion in claims before ICSID and PCA tribunals.

His government service also included three years in The Hague, acting as Deputy Agent for the United States at the International Court of Justice, U.S. Agent to the Iran‑U.S. Claims Tribunal, and the U.S. point of contact to the International Criminal Court. David represented the United States in the UN General Assembly’s Sixth Committee and advised on Security Council and International Law Commission matters. He also served as a U.S. delegate to UNCITRAL Working Group III, the Hague Conference on Private International Law, and the Administrative Council of the Permanent Court of Arbitration. The State Department recognized his contributions with seven Superior Honor Awards.

Bigge’s arrival also reunites him with several current Wordstone lawyers with whom he previously worked in private practice – re‑establishing long‑standing professional relationships and strengthening the firm’s collaborative culture.

“David’s arrival is a milestone for Wordstone” said Co-Founding Partner, Eduardo Silva-Romero. “His leadership at the highest levels of public international law and investment arbitration will be invaluable as the firm builds its U.S. presence and continues to deliver sophisticated advice to both sovereign and corporate clients operating globally. Building on our presence in Paris, establishing a platform in Washington, D.C. strengthens our position as a global disputes specialist.”

Co-Founding Partner José Manuel García Represa, also NY-qualified like Bigge, adds: “David’s deep trial experience will further reinforce Wordstone’s strong advocacy and broaden the scope of the services we offer to corporates and Sovereigns, in the U.S. and abroad.  We share not only a client-centered, pragmatic approach that has made Wordstone a trusted advisor to long-standing clients, but also core values and a commitment to mentoring and training  associates.”

Before entering government service, David spent nine years in the international disputes practices of two global law firms, representing clients in commercial arbitration, sovereign debt matters, and securities litigation. He has appeared before the International Court of Justice, the Iran‑U.S. Claims Tribunal, and arbitral tribunals administered by ICSID, PCA, AAA/ICDR, ICC, and HKIAC, as well as in U.S. federal and state courts.

David is an active voice in the field. He has authored numerous publications on international dispute resolution and investment arbitration and has held leadership roles within the American Society of International Law. As an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center, he designed and teaches a course on interstate disputes, and has previously taught advanced courses on international arbitration and the philosophy of international responsibility. He has lectured at leading universities across the United States and Europe.

A frequent speaker at global conferences, David has presented at events hosted by UNCITRAL, ICSID, PCA, ICDR, ASIL, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and institutions across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

Find out more about David.