Matthew Coleman

Partner, Steptoe & Johnson

Matthew Coleman specializes in international arbitration, litigation and public international law. He is the chair of Steptoe's Investment Treaty Arbitration practice. Chambers UK has stated that Matthew has a "wonderful grasp of public international law" and said that he is "applauded for his expertise in investment treaty arbitrations" and recommended him for his "skills as an advocate." The Legal 500 noted that he is "outstanding" in the field of public international law and also recommended him for commercial arbitration. At the Global Arbitration Review Awards in 2016, Steptoe won the category "International arbitration practice that impressed in the past year" for the investment treaty arbitration work that Matthew and his colleagues have undertaken. In 2016, The American Lawyer awarded Steptoe's arbitration team with "Global Dispute of the Year: Investment Arbitration (Africa)."

Many of Matthew's cases involve concurrent proceedings before tribunals and courts, and have been in favor of, or against, international companies, State agencies and States. He has acted as lead counsel on investment treaty and commercial arbitrations in the leading arbitration forums. Matthew has also appeared as counsel in the Courts of England. In regard to Matthew's counsel work, Chambers has acclaimed him for "his command of a vast amount of detail and meticulous preparation."

Matthew's public international law practice has a particular focus on acting as lead counsel in investment disputes between States and foreign investors (ISDS), including at ICSID. His work for States has included advice relating to the investment chapters of free trade agreements and drafting treaties.