David Attanasio

David Attanasio resolves cross-border disputes. With extensive experience in Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) as well as many other industries, his practice focuses on crafting compelling advocacy for his clients and finding creative solutions for their international disputes – from the simplest to the most complex – through international arbitration, cross-border litigation, and other means. While David’s practice is global, he is deeply conversant with disputes relating to Latin America.

Leading legal directories have recognized David for his international arbitration advocacy. Chambers USA has highlighted him as “Up and Coming,” with sources commenting that he is “a true intellect and student of arbitration” who “brings a great insight to international arbitration issues.” He is listed as a “Future Leader” in the Who’s Who Legal Arbitration Guide, based on his “established name… for difficult issues of public international law” and his “excellent reputation across Latin America.” Legal 500 US has recommended David as “a great legal thinker in the field of international law.”

Drawing from a wide range of options, David seeks optimal solutions for his clients’ disputes. Beyond his deep experience in international arbitration under most major rules, David also represents his clients in cross-border litigation – including before the New York federal courts – and advises them on public international law issues and dispute resolution mechanisms, including business and human rights, diplomatic law, international organizational law, and human rights law.

Clients benefit from David’s active leadership in international dispute resolution. He serves on the Board of Directors of the International Law Association (American Branch) and co-chairs its Investment Law Committee. He has been a member of the global International Law Association’s Rule of Law and International Investment Law Committee. He has also taught courses on international arbitration at Georgetown University Law Center as an adjunct professor of law.

A frequent speaker and writer on international arbitration, investment law, and human rights law, David has co-authored an award-winning treatise on investor-state arbitration entitled International Investment Protection of Global Banking and Finance (Wolters Kluwer, 2021) and is the sole author of the Spanish-language monograph State Responsibility Based on the Actions of Private Actors (Universidad de los Andes/Editorial Temis, 2016). 

Prior to joining the partnership of Womble Bond Dickinson, David was counsel at an Am Law 50 law firm. He also has held a Fulbright Fellowship and served as a visiting professor at the Universidad de los Andes and as an associate professor at the Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano, both in Bogotá, Colombia.