Franziska Gräfin Grote, LL.M.

Partner *

Düsseldorf

Franziska Gräfin Grote advices multinational companies and states in international arbitration and complex litigation proceedings. She has extensive experience in disputes relating to energy, infrastructure and construction, post M&A, corporate law and investment law.

Franziska acts as counsel and arbitrator in arbitration proceedings under various rules, including the ICC, DIS, ICSID, UNCITRAL and in ad hoc proceedings. She also deals with issues relating to the recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards. Franziska also advices on all stages of dispute resolution and acts as counsel for global enterprises in disputes before the national German courts. Her cases span a variety of industries including infrastructure projects, renewables, oil and gas, automotive, construction, technology and life science.

Franziska is a dual trained lawyer in Germany and France. She gained further experience by working in international arbitration hubs such as Paris and London and is active in various arbitration associations and was the regional co-chair of the DIS40, the young practitioners group of the German Arbitration Institution (DIS), until 2021. She teaches a seminar at the Beck Academy on Post M&A Disputes and regularly speaks at conferences on international arbitration topics.

  • Recent cases include:

    • Representation of the Federal Republic of Germany in two infrastructure arbitration proceedings in order to defend claims with respect to the planned toll collect system for cars after the termination of the contract
    • Party-appointed arbitrator (ad hoc) in a shareholder dispute (post M&A)
    • Representation of a French construction company in a DIS arbitration to enforce claims for payment and delay damages in power plant construction project
    • Sole arbitrator in a post M&A arbitration under the DIS Rules
    • Representation of the Republic of North Macedonia in investment arbitration proceedings (UNCITRAL Rules) initiated by Indian investors
    • Defending a Dutch company in legal proceedings with respect to damages claims for defect liability in the automotive supply chain
    • Advising and representing a British travel company in various litigation proceedings before national courts concerning contractual disputes (contractual penalties, damages claims, insurance claims).
    • Serving as party-appointed arbitrator in a dispute concerning the termination of a franchise agreement in ad hoc arbitration proceedings.
    • Advising and representing a company specialized in plant construction in arbitration related annulment proceedings with regard to claims made in a major plant construction project.
    • Advising and representing a German solar plant investor in an ICSID arbitration against the Kingdom of Spain based on the Energy Charter Treaty
    • Representing a French utility company in an ICC arbitration concerning a dispute relating to a contract volume reduction clause under a long term gas supply agreement.
    • Representation of an entrepreneurial family in an ad hoc-arbitration dispute relating to the termination of a participation agreement and corresponding damage claims.
    • Representation of a German group of companies with regard to possible damage claims against a German car manufacturer under capital markets law.
    • Representation of US and European companies in arbitration and litigation proceedings regarding supply contracts in the solar business.