K&L Gates Adds International Arbitration Partner in Perth

Perth – Global law firm K&L Gates welcomes Rodolphe Ruffié-Farrugia as a partner in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice area. He joins the firm’s Perth office from Clifford Chance and will work with the International Arbitration practice group across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

Ruffié-Farrugia focuses his practice on international commercial arbitration, investor-state dispute settlement, and public international law, advising parties involved in high-stakes cross-border disputes and projects across the Asia-Pacific, Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Europe, and North America. His clients operate across key industry sectors, primarily resources, energy, and infrastructure, as well as emerging sectors, including space, esports, and video gaming.

Having acted as counsel, arbitrator, mediator, and negotiator in both common and civil law jurisdictions, he provides clients with valuable multicultural dispute prevention and resolution insights and multijurisdictional advisory strategies. He also has experience handling international trade disputes before the World Trade Organization and award enforcement and execution proceedings, including in relation to sovereign states.

Ruffié-Farrugia is admitted to practice in Western Australia, New Zealand, and the United States (New York, Texas, Washington, and Washington, DC). He also holds a dual Bachelor's degree in French and English Laws (Paris Nanterre), a Master's degree in International Arbitration (Paris-Saclay), and an LL.M. in International Business and Economic Law (Georgetown). In addition to being a native French speaker, he is fluent in English and Chinese (Mandarin), as well as conversant in Japanese and Spanish.

Christopher Tung, partner and practice group coordinator of the International Arbitration practice group, said: “We are excited to welcome Rodolphe to the firm. He is a knowledgeable and well-regarded lawyer with an entrepreneurial mindset. His multicultural background and multifaceted experience make him a strong addition to our international arbitration practice, especially with the growing number of global disputes across the mining, energy, and infrastructure sectors, and investment treaty claims.”

“Rodolphe’s diverse experience will add depth and breadth to our regional disputes capabilities,” said Jason Opperman, regional managing partner, Australia. “With an increasing volume of complex cross-border commercial and investment disputes, Rodolphe’s arrival is well-timed. His appointment to our partnership reflects our firm’s strategic focus on global markets and commitment to supporting our clients through best-in-class dispute resolution capabilities.”

Ryan Dwyer, regional managing partner, Asia, stated: “We’re delighted to welcome Rodolphe to the firm. His proven track record of representing mining and energy companies, combined with his ability to advise multinational French corporates with operations across the region, reinforces our commitment to investing in top-tier talent and remaining agile amid evolving market dynamics. This is especially critical as these companies face heightened scrutiny and increasingly complex cross-border disputes.”

Ruffié-Farrugia’s arrival follows the additions of Washington, DC partner Thomas Allen, Wilmington partner Robert Beste, New York partner Todd Fishman, Orange County partner Eva Weiler, and Seattle partner John Bender to the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice in the last year.

The firm’s International Arbitration practice group comprises more than 100 lawyers in key arbitration venues around the world, including Beijing, Boston, Dallas, Doha, Dubai, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Miami, Milan, New York, Paris, Pittsburgh, São Paulo, Singapore, Seattle, Shanghai, Sydney, Taipei, and Washington, DC, among others. The group is active in domestic and international arbitrations across a wide range of sectors, from construction and engineering to insurance coverage to sports to securities, administered by arbitration institutions around the world.