A long and varied career has provided Clifford J. Hendel with a broad base of experience – including both transactional and contentious work, in both common law and civil law jurisdictions, in both large and small firms, and in both private practice and adjudicative capacities – uniquely suited to maximize prospects for the effective management and resolution of international disputes.
In terms of substantive focus, his career to date can be divided into four separate segments. First, for two years following law school, he was a judicial law clerk in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut (USA), where he experienced the full range of U.S. federal litigation (including civil and criminal cases, and jury and non-jury cases). Second, for the following decade he was a deal lawyer in the New York and Paris offices of a leading global firm, where his practice focused on international financial matters, international project and asset (particularly, aviation) finance and international M&A. Third, for two decades he was partner of a leading Madrid boutique, initially with a broad-based commercial, corporate and general business-law practice before evolving towards a predominantly contentious practice, particularly involving international arbitration, both as counsel and arbitrator. And fourth, since 2018, he has focussed on international dispuete resolution at Hendel IDR.
Jurisdictionally, Mr. Hendel’s career is split into three segments: nearly a decade in the US, four years in Paris, and more than two decades in Madrid. During his long years in Europe he has accumulated ample experience – above and beyond a multitude of related bar admissions – in the practice, procedure and mindset of the civil law to complement his training and initial experience as a common lawyer.
A member of the panels of many of the world’s leading arbitral institutions, Mr. Hendel is a member of the Executive Council of the European Advisory Board of the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR) and was a founding member of the Governing Board of the Club Español de Arbitraje and a founding moderator of ITAFOR, the ITA Latin American Arbitration Forum online discussion group.
Recognized as “Most in Demand Arbitrator” (Band 1) in all Chambers & Partners Global Guides since 2009, he has been regularly recognized as a recommended individual in Arbitration, Corporate/M&A, Banking & Finance and related specialties in publications including, Who’s Who Legal and Leaders League (“Leading”).
He speaks and writes frequently on legal issues, particularly involving international dispute resolution, mediation and ADR, sports law and international legal practice.
Education
- Bachelor of Arts, Wesleyan University (Connecticut, USA) 1979, magna cum laude
- Juris Doctor, University of Connecticut School of Law (USA) 1983, cum laude
- Master in Global Sports Law, Instituto de Derecho y Economía (Madrid, Spain), 2013
Bar Admissions
- New York (1985, Attorney)
- England and Wales (1995, Solicitor, not practicing)
- Paris (1996, Avocat à la Cour, not practicing)
- Madrid (2000, Abogado)
Languages
- English
- Spanish
- French
