Yas Banifatemi is a partner in Shearman & Sterling’s International Arbitration Group and leads the firm’s Public International Law Practice. She is also a member of the Firm’s 9-member Policy Committee. She advises and represents States, State-owned entities and companies on both public international law and international arbitration issues. She has acted as counsel and arbitrator in arbitration cases under the ICSID, UNCITRAL, ICC, LCIA, SCC, CRCICA and Swiss Arbitration Rules, with particular focus on investment protection, oil & gas and general commercial matters.

Yas Banifatemi has been praised as being a “star performer,” a “brilliant lawyer with a sharp intellect” and a “prominent figure in international arbitration,” also “having a considerable presence in public international law” in Chambers Global. Clients also commented on the “clarity of her opinions,” describing her as “incredibly impressive all round” and a “reliable and robust advocate” having a “thorough understanding of the law she practices.” She appeared in the “45 Under 45” feature of American Lawyer’s January 2011 issue, a ranking of “The Best and the Brightest” female lawyers under 45, and in the “45 Under 45” feature of Global Arbitration Review ’s August 2011 issue, a global ranking of the leading figures of the international arbitration bar under 45.