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Jan K. Schaefer heads King & Spalding's dispute resolution practice in Germany. He represents foreign and German clients in domestic and international arbitration matters, both commercial and investor-state. He appears before German courts in first- and second-instance matters, including for the taking of evidence for foreign proceedings, interim relief and enforcement applications, and is in high demand as international arbitrator.
With substantial trial and arbitration experience, Jan represents clients in post–merger and acquisition, joint venture, distribution, sales and license matters, as well as in foreign investment, construction and energy-related disputes, both within Germany and across international borders.
Jan represents clients as counsel and advocate in complex and high-value domestic and international arbitration proceedings conducted under various arbitration rules, including those of the ICC, DIS (German Institute of Arbitration), SCC (Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce), and ICSID in multiple venues. He also has experience in ad hoc proceedings under the UNCITRAL Rules.
Jan regularly advises clients on compliance and corruption issues. In several post-M&A matters, he has closely cooperated with criminal defense counsel to align strategies.
Jan has served as chairman, party-appointed, sole or emergency arbitrator in some 70 arbitrations under a variety of rules, including ad hoc proceedings. He also advises clients on effective, efficient resolution of disputes at early stages, including the use of alternative dispute resolution techniques.
Jan has been recognized as leader in his field by Chambers Global, Chambers Europe, Legal 500, JUVE and other leading legal guides. He was named Lawyer of the Year for Arbitration by Handelsblatt and Best Lawyers 2021/22. JUVE and Legal 500 have been naming Jan a "Leading Name" for Arbitration for many years.
Jan is a board member of the DIS, the SCC and the Dutch Arbitration Association and a member of the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR. He is a member of the Litigation Committee of the German Federal Bar Association (BRAK). He speaks English, German, Dutch and some French.
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