Roberta is a partner in the litigation and dispute management practice, based in Abu Dhabi. Since moving to the Middle East in 2011, she has developed a broad practice that encompasses non-contentious and contentious construction, along with internal investigations and regulatory advice. Roberta works on matters across the Gulf and beyond, with a particular focus on UAE, Iraq, KSA, and Qatar.

In addition to representing clients in arbitrations under DIAC, ICC and ADCCAC rules, she advises on procurement and pre-dispute matters arising from leisure developments, roads & utilities projects, process plants, and tower projects.

Prior to joining Eversheds Sutherland, Roberta worked with Reed Smith in the Middle East and previously practised law in the environmental group of a leading global law firm in the US, where she represented international and Fortune 500 clients in disputes and on regulatory matters across numerous jurisdictions.

A selection of Roberta’s experience includes advising:

·        a European contractor in a dispute under Iraqi law, in an ICC arbitration with claim and counterclaims in excess of US$210m

·        an Abu Dhabi-based infrastructure contractor in an ADCCAC-administered dispute with a developer arising out of s major greenfield development with claims exceeding US$80m

·        a major Dubai developer against a US$23m claim under ICC arbitration by a landscaping company for alleged breach of a construction contract for a golf course development, resulting in a favourable settlement before hearing

·        a Dubai developer in a DIAC-administered arbitration involving substantial claims arising from construction of a major sporting and leisure venue

·        a major Dubai developer regarding its strategy to limit liability associated with stalled development of property in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)

·        a developer of a hotel complex on St. Kitts & Nevis with respect to contractual obligations to the master developer

·        an Abu Dhabi branch of European subcontractors in a US$20m fee dispute against a general contractor, resulting in full payment of fees and execution of substantial contract for further work

·        as project counsel to a builder on a shipbuilding contract worth more than US$40m, advising on issues arising from extension of time claims, variations, quality disputes, and insurance

Admissions

·        U.S. District Court – Northern District of Illinois

·        All State Courts – Illinois

Qualifications/Education

·        J.D. (Magna cum laude), New York University School of Law, USA (2004)

·        M.Phil (Economics), University of Oxford, UK (2001)

·        B.A. (Summa cum laude) Economics, Bryn Mawr College, USA (1999) 

Languages

·                  English (Native)

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberta-wertman-abb9b923/

Shalagh is a Partner in the litigation and dispute management practice. She worked with the firm since 2005 permanently relocating to the Middle East in 2008.

Shalagh has extensive experience in the water sector, acting as lead Partner on over 6 water treatment plants in the Middle East (specifically in Qatar and KSA).

Shalagh advises on English law, Qatari law and UAE law and has a deep understanding of the law and culture in the region. Her practice centres around international construction disputes (arbitration and litigation) and in particular ICC, LCIA, DIAC, SCCA, FOSFA, ADCCAC and LMAA. She also advises on commercial disputes, contract interpretation and dispute management/avoidance across the Middle East.

Shalagh has extensive experience of local court related matters and works “hand in hand” with local counsel in providing seamless client service to clients regardless of location. This includes working on QFC and DIFC court matters as well as advising on local court proceedings at all levels (Court of First Instance, Court of Appeal, Court of Cassation and Enforcement proceedings).

Shalagh also regularly works with Counsel in the region with experience in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman.

Shalagh is qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales and ranked in Chambers Global as an expert based abroad for Dispute Resolution: International – Qatar. She also receive praise in LEGAL 500 2025 for her work in UAE, Qatar and KSA, both in construction and in commercial disputes.

 A selection of Shalagh’s experience includes:

Construction              

·        Lead Partner representing a Spanish listed construction company in emergency SCCA proceedings. The proceedings were pursuant to English law and related to interim measures needed on a bond call of US$ 100m. Shalagh is now instructed on the underlying substantive proceedings before the SCCA. The proceedings relate to significant variations on work related to a desalination plant in KSA.

·        Lead Partner for the same Spanish listed construction company in relation to two other sets of ICC arbitration proceedings pursuant to UAE law and Qatari law. Both matters settled on terms favourable to the client.

·        Defending an energy company in LCIA construction arbitration proceedings (delay, disruption and liquidated damages) pursuant to English law. This arbitration was seated in the UAE and heard before a panel of three arbitrators over a five day hearing. The award was recently issued and was overwhelmingly in the client’s favour.

·        Appearing as Advocate in Emergency Arbitration proceedings brought in DIFC-LCIA arbitration on behalf of a blue energy company. The matter in question involved matters of UAE and English law and related to high value bond calls. Shalagh obtained an order in her client’s favour.

·        Representing a Qatari government entity in a US$ 150m ICC Qatari law/seated dispute with a sub-contractor on a polysilicon plant pursuant to Qatari law and seated in Qatar. Shalagh also successfully defended over 5 interim applications brought before the local courts on this matter and then worked with the client on enforcement issues in Qatar.

·        Representing a well-known Malaysian subcontractor in ICC proceedings brought by a Singaporean entity. The proceedings related to a construction on Salwa Road in Qatar. The proceedings were ultimately dismissed on jurisdictional grounds which was an excellent result for this particular client.

·        Acting as effective in-house counsel to well-known Spanish/Italian unincorporated joint venture appointed as Main Contractor on a solar power project. Shalagh advises Main Contractor on relevant issues arising out of the EPC contract on an ad hoc basis.

Commercial

·        Representing a UAE fund on a significant dispute with a shareholder. The dispute was subject to LCIA arbitration but has been successfully settled on terms favourable to the client.

·        Defending a client in US 50 million US$50 million proceedings brought in the DIFC Courts subject to DIFC law. Shalagh again settled the matter on terms favourable to her client.

·        Representing a client in commercial arbitration proceedings (English law, then DIFC-LCIA) valued at US$10m. Shalagh secured a successful result for her client and the matter has since settled.

·        Working with local counsel on US$ billion claims brought in the UAE courts against well-known international banks.

·        Advising an international bank on recovery of US$300m loan defaults in the UAE and internationally.

·        Representing a Qatari government entity (established in a Free Zone) as Claimant in an ICC arbitration seated in Qatar.

·        Advising a Qatari company in a partnership dispute and liability for inappropriate usage of IP by a former partner in Europe and the Middle East. This matter is multi-jurisdictional with proceedings being issued in England, Qatar and also the UAE.

·        Advising on agency and distribution agreements in Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait currently before the local courts.

·        Lead counsel on a dispute under English law before the FOSFA arbitration board. Running complex arguments on frustration under English law.

Admissions

England and Wales (2005)

Qualifications/Education

Advanced Diploma in Litigation (Distinction) Nottingham Trent University, UK (2006)

LPC (Distinction), University of Northumbria, UK (2003)

Graduate Diploma in Law, University of Northumbria, UK (2002)

BA Honours in English and History (Double First Class Honours), University of Northumbria, UK (2001)

Languages

English (fluent)