Vasilis Pappas is Co-Head of the firm’s International Arbitration Practice Group and a member of the firm’s Construction Group. He is a recognized leader in the fields of domestic and international commercial arbitration, investor-state arbitration, and construction litigation and arbitration. He has been recognized by clients and market commentators as “a prominent figure in the arbitration world” who “gives expert advice”, “wins considerable support for his articulacy, responsiveness and quality of service”, and "is well regarded for his experienced work on international disputes related to the energy and mining sectors" (Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business).
What Clients Say
“Vasilis is organized, articulate and not afraid of a challenge. I doubt there are many better."
“He gives expert advice and is responsive, hardworking and friendly.”
"I expect my external lawyers to add real value and out-of-the-box strategy and advice. Vasilis ticks this box. In terms of strengths and weaknesses I would say he is both solution-focused and commercially pragmatic. Weaknesses? None technically."
Vasilis has represented companies all over the world in complex commercial disputes worth many billions of dollars in a diverse range of sectors, including energy, mining, banking, insurance, telecommunications and pharmaceuticals. He has particular expertise in construction disputes, acting for owners, contractors, subcontractors and engineers in a wide range of disputes arising from large construction projects.
Vasilis has acted as arbitration counsel under all of the world's leading international arbitration rule systems, including ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL, ICDR, AAA, JAMS, SIAC, HKIAC, VanIAC and ADRIC, and as litigation counsel before the courts of the United States and Canada. Vasilis also represents sovereign states and multinational companies in investor-state disputes under the ICSID Convention, NAFTA Chapter Eleven, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Energy Charter Treaty and other bilateral and multilateral investment treaties.
Prior to joining Bennett Jones, Vasilis practised for eight years in New York City with a leading international law firm. He also practised with the Government of Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (now Global Affairs Canada), representing Canada in investor-state arbitrations and investment treaty negotiations.
Vasilis now works out of the firm's Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto offices. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Calgary's Faculty of Law in the field of international commercial arbitration and investor-state arbitration, is on the Canadian roster of arbitrators of the ICC International Court of Arbitration and is a Fellow and Director of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He also publishes and speaks regularly on topics pertaining to international commercial arbitration and investor-state arbitration.
When away from the office, Vasilis can be found at the rink or on the softball field, coaching both of his daughters’ hockey and softball teams. He is also the President of the New Westminster Minor Hockey Association, where he volunteers many hours giving back to his community.
Bennett Jones