Vitaly Morozov

Partner | Litigation

vitaly.morozov@pierferd.com
+1.202.674.3374 cell
+1.786.708.8121 office
Washington, D.C. | New York

About

Vitaly Morozov is a partner in the firm’s international disputes practice. Vitaly’s recent work includes representation of Ukrainian entities and individuals before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in six arbitrations against the Russian Federation arising out of its breaches of international law following the annexation of Crimea and in defense of the resulting awards in the Swiss and Dutch courts.

  • Vitaly has represented clients in numerous investor-State disputes under bilateral investment treaties and the Energy Charter Treaty in arbitrations pursuant to the ICSID, SCC and UNCITRAL rules, with a particular focus on Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia in matters relating to a range of industries, including oil and gas, energy, mining, air and space, real estate and banking.

    In addition to his international arbitration work, Vitaly has assisted clients in high-profile litigations before federal and state courts in the District of Columbia, New York, California and Delaware. Vitaly also has experience advising clients in internal anti-corruption investigations and sanctions compliance.

    Vitaly maintains an active international human rights law pro bono practice. His recent work included a report for the Clooney Foundation for Justice concerning the trial and conviction of renowned Russian human rights lawyer Mikhail Benyash and an expert declaration on behalf the Viasna human rights organization in support of three human rights defenders jailed in Belarus, including Belarusian human rights advocate and 2022 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski.

Practices

  • Commercial Litigation

  • International Disputes

  • Arbitration and Mediation

Admissions

  • New York

  • District of Columbia

  • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

Education

  • George Washington University Law School, LL.M.

  • Yaroslav Mudriy National Law University of Ukraine, Kharkiv, Ukraine, Law Degree

Professional Activity

  • Member, International Bar Association

Languages

  • Russian

  • Ukrainian

Experience

  • Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP

Selected Matters

International Arbitration

  • Represented Ukrainian petroleum companies in arbitrations against the Russian Federation seated in Switzerland, resulting in awards finding Russia liable for expropriation of several petrol station networks following the unlawful annexation of Crimea

  • Represented Turkish petroleum company in bringing to a successful settlement its dispute with the Republic of Kazakhstan over hundreds of millions of dollars of investments made in the oil and gas sector of Kazakhstan

  • Represented Ukrainian real estate investors in the international arbitration which marked the first time Russia had been held liable by an international tribunal for its measures following the annexation of the Crimean peninsula

  • Represented Ukrainian state-owned national energy company in investment treaty arbitration against the Russian Federation

  • Represented Ukrainian bank in UNCITRAL arbitration proceedings against the Russian Federation concerning the Russian Federation’s breaches of international law following the annexation of Crimea

  • Represented Ukrainian investors in the aviation sector in UNCITRAL arbitration proceedings against the Russian Federation concerning the Russian Federation’s breaches of international law following the annexation of Crimea

  • Represented minority shareholders of an oil company in a claim of expropriation against foreign sovereign

Litigation

  • Represented petitioners in enforcement of investment treaty arbitration award before the D.C. District Court

  • Represented a beverage manufacturer in litigation involving false advertising and use of trademark

  • Represented a leading manufacturer of spacecraft and space station components in dispute concerning financing for an international joint venture in commercial satellite industry

In the News