Robert Amsterdam

Robert Amsterdam is an international lawyer with over 40 years of experience in high-profile disputes across emerging markets. He is founding partner of Amsterdam & Partners LLP, based in London and Washington, D.C., known for innovative work in complex litigation, arbitration, and white-collar defense involving political and policy dimensions.

He has advised governments, corporations, and political leaders worldwide, including former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, former Zambian President Rupiah Banda, Ugandan MP Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, Cameroonian politician Maurice Kamto, and others. He has also represented major corporations such as PricewaterhouseCoopers and Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, specializing in “bet the company” cases and political risk.

Amsterdam & Partners has been recognized for its pro bono human rights work, winning the Global Pro Bono Dispute Award from the American Lawyer for its work in Zimbabwe, and representing opposition figures from Singapore to Venezuela. Amsterdam has also defended high-profile political prisoners, including Mikhail Khodorkovsky of Russia’s Yukos Oil and Venezuelan businessman Eligio Cedeño, both of whom were freed.

His commentary has appeared in the New York Times, Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and Forbes, and he has been featured on CNN, BBC, CNBC, Bloomberg, and Fox News. Amsterdam is a member of the Canadian and International Bar Associations and a solicitor in the United Kingdom. He studied at Carleton University (BA) and Queen’s University in Ontario (LLB).

He currently represents Samvel Karapetyan, a prominent Armenian entrepreneur involved with the Armenian Apostolic Church.