Judith Sawang

Dr. Judith Sawang is a partner in our dispute resolution practice in Frankfurt with a particular focus on international arbitration.

Judith's practice covers national and international arbitration and (cross-border) commercial litigation. Judith has conducted arbitration proceedings as counsel and arbitrator (co-arbitrator, presiding arbitrator, sole arbitrator) under the auspices of various institutions (ICC, SCC, DIS, LCIA) and in ad-hoc arbitrations. The focus of her practice is on disputes in the fields of corporate and commercial law including post M&A, distribution, construction and finance. She also advises clients on international recognition and enforcement matters. Judith's work includes advising clients across a broad range of industry sectors including banks/financial institutions, investors, insurance, health science, commodities, telecommunications and the automotive industry. 

Judith has been repeatedly recognized by Who's Who Legal as Future Leader Arbitration, with clients and competitors commenting "Judith is a class-act in the arbitration market", "an outstanding disputes lawyer" and "the sharpest arbitration lawyer in Germany". Her peers and clients further noted "Her commitment to client service is second to none", "Judith is a very experienced and incredibly smart arbitration lawyer" and "She is very precise and a pleasure to work with"; "Ms Sawang is an impressive and persuasive arbitration practitioner".

In the German legal market publication JUVE, Judith has been repeatedly "frequently recommended" for dispute resolution as "articulate, to the point, friendly, reliable, confident – really brilliant" (by a client) and as an "excellent counsel, very committed and very good in cross-examination" (by a competitor). She is praised for her "reliable, high quality work" and described as "very good in conducting litigation proceedings." Competitors say "impresses me more and more, absolutely international format". 

Judith was also repeatedly recognized by Handelsblatt and Best LawyersTM as one of the best lawyers in Germany for Arbitration and Mediation, International Arbitration and Litigation as part of the Germany's Best Lawyers ranking. She was further recognized by WirtschaftsWoche as TOP Lawyer in the area of arbitration. 

Judith is a member of the Advisory Board of the German Arbitration Institute (DIS). She has published in the area of arbitral law and is a regular speaker at national and international conferences. Judith is a co-author of the practice commentary by Nedden/Herzberg/Kopetzki on the rules of the German Arbitration Institute (DIS). She is a member of several professional associations including the German Arbitration Institute (DIS), HK45, and the IBA.

Judith studied law at the Universities of Heidelberg, Melbourne, Auckland (LL.M.) and Marburg (Dr. iur.). She held several scholarships by the German Academic Scholarship Foundation and was awarded a scholarship prize by the German Arbitration Institute (DIS) for her Ph.D. thesis on the protection of business secrets and the right to be heard in arbitral proceedings. 

Judith has been admitted to the bar in 2006. Prior to joining Ashurst, she was with a boutique law firm and with Hengeler Mueller.