Steven Davis

International Commercial Arbitration in New York

Steven Davis represents Chinese companies in international arbitration proceedings seated in New York and throughout the United States from Herrick, Feinstein LLP.

With 21 years of experience in complex commercial disputes, Steven focuses on international arbitration under the rules of the ICC, AAA-ICDR, and UNCITRAL. His practice covers breach of contract claims, joint venture disputes, technology licensing conflicts, and post-acquisition purchase price adjustments arising from cross-border transactions involving Chinese parties. He has served as lead counsel in arbitrations seated in New York, London, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

Practice Focus

• ⚖️ International arbitration — representation in ICC, AAA-ICDR, and UNCITRAL proceedings from case inception through award enforcement
• 📜 Arbitral award enforcement — recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards under the New York Convention in US federal courts
• 🛡️ Pre-arbitration strategy — arbitration clause drafting, arbitrator selection, procedural calendar management, and document production strategy
• 💼 Litigation-arbitration interface — US court proceedings in support of arbitration, including Section 1782 discovery applications and interim measures
• 🌐 Cross-border disputes — joint venture, shareholder, licensing, and distribution agreement disputes with Chinese counterparties

Throughout the proceeding, Steven provides regular updates in plain English and coordinates with Chinese counsel on the strategic direction of the case. He has particular experience managing the evidentiary challenges that arise when key witnesses and documents are located in China.

Local Practice in New York

New York is one of the world's leading seats for international arbitration. Steven's practice at Herrick, Feinstein benefits from the firm's location in the heart of Manhattan's legal community and its strong relationships with the leading international arbitration institutions headquartered in the city. Herrick's litigation department handles all phases of dispute resolution in state and federal courts, as well as arbitration forums.

Typical Client Matters

Steven represents Chinese technology companies in ICC arbitration proceedings seated in New York, typically arising from licensing disputes, technology transfer agreements, and joint venture breakdowns with US or European partners. He manages the full lifecycle of the arbitration, from the initial request for arbitration and answer, through the constitution of the tribunal, procedural hearing, document production phase, evidentiary hearing, and post-hearing briefing.

In post-acquisition disputes, Steven handles purchase price adjustment arbitrations under share purchase agreements where Chinese buyers and Western sellers disagree on working capital adjustments, earn-out calculations, or indemnification claims. He works closely with financial advisers to present complex valuation evidence in a format suitable for international arbitral tribunals.

For Chinese companies seeking to enforce foreign arbitral awards in the United States, Steven manages the recognition and enforcement proceeding under the New York Convention and Chapter 2 of the US Federal Arbitration Act. He has successfully enforced awards against US counterparties in multiple federal circuits and has also defended Chinese parties against enforcement of awards that were procured through irregular means.

Managing the Arbitral Process

International arbitration requires careful procedural management, particularly when parties come from different legal traditions. Steven ensures that procedural timetables accommodate the need for document translation, the availability of Chinese witnesses for evidentiary hearings, and any jurisdictional or evidentiary objections that may arise from the cross-border nature of the dispute. He also manages the cost of arbitration by focusing discovery on genuinely disputed issues and encouraging early resolution where the facts permit.

Approach to Arbitration Practice

Steven believes that effective international arbitration requires more than legal advocacy. It demands an understanding of the cultural and procedural expectations that each party brings to the tribunal. For Chinese clients, he explains the arbitration process in detail at the outset, including the selection of arbitrators, the preparation of written submissions, the document production phase, the evidentiary hearing, and the post-hearing process. He ensures that Chinese parties understand their role at each stage and are prepared for the procedural steps ahead.

Throughout the proceeding, Steven maintains close coordination with Chinese counsel, sharing draft submissions for review, discussing hearing preparation strategy, and ensuring that the client's commercial objectives remain at the centre of the legal strategy. He manages the cost of arbitration by focusing resources on the issues that matter most to the outcome and by seeking procedural efficiencies where appropriate.

Why Clients Choose to Work with This Office

Clients choose this practice because the team delivers clear, commercially focused guidance that reflects a genuine understanding of the international business environment. Every engagement begins with a detailed consultation to understand the client\u2019s specific objectives, risk tolerance, and timeline. Throughout the relationship, the team maintains open communication and provides practical recommendations that address both the legal requirements and the underlying business goals. This approach has earned the trust of a growing number of international clients seeking reliable counsel in an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.