Julie Bédard

Julie Bédard is head of Skadden’s International Litigation and Arbitration Group for the Americas. She focuses on complex international commercial and investor-state disputes, including post-acquisition, shareholder and joint venture matters, and claims pertaining to energy, mining, telecommunications, financial services, aeronautics, and infrastructure projects.

Ms. Bédard advises clients on dispute resolution strategy and the protection of global investments under international treaties. She serves as counsel and arbitrator in international arbitration proceedings under the auspices of all major institutions, including the ICC, AAA/ICDR, LCIA and ICSID. Ms. Bédard also frequently advises on internal investigations, corruption, compliance and other regulatory matters. Trained in common and civil law, Ms. Bédard is fluent in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese.

Professional Memberships

Julie Bédard is a member of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement dispute settlement panel and was appointed in 2024 vice-president of the ICC International Court of Arbitration. Ms. Bédard is also a member of ICCA’s Governing Board, the Shanghai Arbitration Commission and the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board International’s Panel of International Arbitrators.

Personal

Education: JSD, Columbia University School of Law, 2006 (doctorate in conflicts of laws); LLM, Columbia University School of Law, 2001; LL.B/BCL, McGill University Faculty of Law, 1996.

Admissions: New York; Quebec; Brasil, São Paulo section (Foreign Consultant).

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Global Guide

International Arbitration: Counsel - USA

Band 1

Individual Editorial

Julie Bédard centers her highly acclaimed practice on complex commercial arbitrations and has notable experience with disputes concerning Latin America.

View ranking table

International Arbitration - Brazil

Band 1

Individual Editorial

Julie Bédard is a distinguished authority in the international arbitration field. She is held in high esteem by commentators for her in-depth knowledge, experience and outstanding practice in Brazil and her fluency in Portuguese.

Learn more about this team❖View ranking table

Arbitration (International) - Latin America - International Counsel

Band 2

Individual Editorial

Julie Bédard garners strong market recognition for her track record of advising private companies in multi-jurisdictional arbitrations across Latin America.

Learn more about this team❖View ranking table

Corporate Crime & Investigations (International Firms) - Brazil

Band 3

Individual Editorial

Head of department Julie Bédard is a distinguished international litigation practitioner with an outstanding arbitration background. She has strong activity representing clients in high-profile investigations and FCPA-related matters.

Learn more about this team❖View ranking table

Arbitration (International) - Global Market Leaders

Band 3

Individual Editorial

Julie Bédard is noted for leading billion-dollar arbitrations on behalf of multinational corporations against sovereign states. As Skadden’s International Litigation and Arbitration Group for the Americas, Bédard's key areas of expertise include arbitrations concerning the energy, aviation and technology sectors. Clients greatly benefit from her multilingual skills in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese, which enhances her ability to navigate multi-jurisdictional cases effectively.

Learn more about this team❖View ranking table

International Arbitration - USA

Foreign expert in Latin America-wide

Individual Editorial

Julie Bédard centers her highly acclaimed practice on complex commercial arbitrations and has notable experience with disputes concerning Latin America.

View foreign expertise table

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

"Julie is collaborative and careful, making sure both sides are heard, and is thoughtful in her analysis."

International Arbitration: Counsel respondent
Chambers Global Guide

"With no doubt, she is a real leader in the market. She has such clarity to go deep into the analysis and provide valuable advice."

International Arbitration: Counsel respondent
Chambers Global Guide

"Julie brings experience to the table; she is able to assess how the arbitrators will respond."

International Arbitration: Counsel respondent
Chambers Global Guide

Julie is a geat lawyer who is involved in important cases. She knows the Brazilian market pretty well and is supported by a top arbitration team.

International Arbitration respondent
Chambers Global Guide

Julie Bedard is a rocket. She is an ace in international arbitration, definitely a point of reference.

International Arbitration respondent
Chambers Global Guide

Julie is definitely a top-tier lawyer. She is our go-to arbitrator.

International Arbitration respondent
Chambers Global Guide

Julie Bédard's ability to navigate complex cases with skill and precision is exemplary, and her commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism sets a benchmark in the industry.

Arbitration (International) respondent
Chambers Global Guide

Julie is excellent for corporate crime and litigation in general. She is seasoned, understands the different nuances of the matters, and speaks Portuguese very well.

Corporate Crime & Investigations (International Firms) respondent
Chambers Global Guide

Julie is a very well known and prestigious lawyer who is the face of Skadden in São Paulo for litigation.

Corporate Crime & Investigations (International Firms) respondent
Chambers Global Guide

Julie is really someone I consider to be one of the elite practitioners in our field. She is very strong in terms of client counselling and is a very strong strategic thinker.

Arbitration (International) respondent
Chambers Global Guide

She is spectacular.

Arbitration (International) respondent
Chambers Global Guide

Julie is enormously smart and a real leader in the field in arbitration. What she has achieved so far is absolutely remarkable.