Elena Rizzo

Elena Rizzo focuses her practice on international investment and commercial arbitration. She has represented international companies, sovereign states, and state-owned entities in connection with cases under the leading institutional and ad hoc arbitration rules, including those of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), and the American Arbitration Association (AAA). Her experience includes advising clients in the construction, logistics, oil and gas, renewable energy, and pharmaceutical sectors. In 2022, Elena has been nominated a “Rising ADR Star” by the CPR Institute.

Elena is dedicated to pro bono work. Notable pro bono representations include briefing and arguing appeals setting important precedent for custody and visitation requirements in New York, taking contested custody and divorce cases to trial, and obtaining Special Immigrant Juvenile Status for immigrant minors. Her devoted pro bono representation of multiple clients has been sanctioned by Sanctuary for Families in 2023, with the “Above and Beyond” award.

Elena is an active member of the New York arbitration community. Among her affiliations, she is a member of CPR Y-ADR Steering Committee. She also served as a member of the Arbitration Committee of the New York City Bar for two consecutive terms (until 2021).

In 2015, Elena graduated from Fordham University (New York) with an LL.M. magna cum laude, and from LUISS Guido Carli University (Rome, Italy), with a five-year law degree summa cum laude. Elena is fluent in Italian and Spanish, and proficient in French.