G. Matteo Vaccaro-Incisa

Specializing in international arbitration and contract negotiation since 2009 (in English, French, Spanish, and Italian). Between early 2021 and late 2023, I led the international law & dispute settlement area at Carnelutti Law Firm.

My practice of law is selectively engaged in international business and investment matters (as arbitrator, expert, and counsel).

Included by the EU on the original list of arbitrators for the settlement of disputes under EU trade agreements (June 2022), I am also indicated on the lists with the arbitration courts of, e.g., Kuala Lumpur (AIAC), London (LCIA), Belgrade (BAC), and Madrid (CIAM). 

I served as an arbitrator in commercial disputes and, as counsel and expert, in international arbitration proceedings under different sets of rules (e.g., UNCITRAL, SCC, ICC, CAM, ICSID), as well as in investment cases in connection with complex questions of jurisdiction, comparative law, and States’ treaty practice (notably, China and Italy).

In international contract negotiations, I advised clients in different areas of business – from crypto-assets to world-record engineering projects and, nowadays frequently, steel and raw materials, freighting and shipping, and international quality marks and accreditation processes.

I believe that an international legal profile is hadly complete if it does not engage with academic research (and teaching).
Indeed, academia has always been an integral part of my specialization.

In addition to having taught courses in various strands of public international law, international economic law, and international dispute settlement, I also taught techniques & ethics of legal writing and oral advocacy for international courts and tribunals (in English), including to the Italian, French, and Swiss representatives participating in international law moot courts (Jessup, Telders, FIAMC, Vis).

Admittedly, born into a family quite accustomed with legal specializations. Father’s side features several lawyers and judges, while mother belonged to an ancient Italian family featuring prominent servants in diplomacy and the military (however, she was an architect). My full surname reflects me being the last leaf of this branch of that family.

Father is a well-known attorney-at-law in Italy’s media & telecom sector, which influenced my early specialization. However, the passion for foreign languages and cultures eventually led me elsewhere professionally.

Besides Italy (Florence, Milan), I lived in Los Angeles, Geneva, and Paris; between 2013 and 2018, I spent about a year and a half in Australia (Melbourne and Sydney), and half a year, respectively, in Buenos Aires and Hong Kong, chiefly to present and carry out my academic research. Over the years, I also spent significant time in Serbia, Greece, and Kenya.

I am a supporter of international law student competitions, to which I have taken part as a participant (Vis, Jessup), coach (Jessup, Telders, FIAMC), mock judge/arbitrator (Vis, Jessup, Telders, FIAMC), and administrator of five International Friendly Rounds (Telders). 

The latter is now carried out via UNICUM association, which I have the honor to chair and is devoted to the promotion of advanced education (and values) in international law and public speaking.

My white hair streak is natural.