Lena Serhan
Partner
1111 Bagby Street
Suite 2100
Houston, TX 77002
Lena is a partner based in Houston and a native German speaker whose practice spans international arbitration, complex commercial litigation, and ongoing counsel to European companies building and growing their businesses in the United States. She represents clients in cross-border and domestic disputes, including for the enforcement of international awards and judgments, before state and...
Lena is a partner based in Houston and a native German speaker whose practice spans international arbitration, complex commercial litigation, and ongoing counsel to European companies building and growing their businesses in the United States. She represents clients in cross-border and domestic disputes, including for the enforcement of international awards and judgments, before state and federal courts, and in international arbitration proceedings administered by major arbitral institutions, including the ICC, ICDR, AAA, CPR, DIS, ICSID, and LCIA.
A significant part of Lena's practice is helping European companies and investors expand into the U.S. market. She guides clients through each stage of that process, from initial planning and structuring the U.S. entity, through setting up governance, commercial contracts, employment arrangements, and real estate, to the ongoing operation of their U.S. subsidiaries. Her background as an international disputes lawyer shapes this work: she helps clients anticipate where U.S. litigation risk, liability exposure, and discovery obligations differ from what they know at home, and she structures their contracts and operations with those risks in mind from day one.
Lena also serves as outside general counsel in the U.S., acting as a single point of contact for their day-to-day legal needs and coordinating projects across the firm’s practice groups. When disputes arise, she manages them across jurisdictions, often where a European proceeding and a U.S. litigation or arbitration run in parallel. Because she is at home in both the civil law and common law traditions, clients rely on her to explain U.S. legal and business practice in terms that make sense to a European board or in-house legal team.
Lena's dispute and international arbitration experience covers a wide range of industries, including oil and gas, renewable energy, power, chemicals, manufacturing, automotive supply, banking, and technology. It includes disputes arising from long-term supply and offtake contracts, JOAs, power purchase agreements, distribution agreements, and post-M&A claims. She also advises clients before disputes arise, including on dispute-resolution clauses, contract structuring, and litigation risk.
Lena serves as the Houston regional representative of the German-American Lawyers' Association (DAJV). Before entering private practice, she clerked for the Honorable Sim Lake of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. She earned her JD with honors from the University of Texas School of Law, where she was a member of the Order of the Coif and a Notes Editor of the Texas Law Review.
federal courts, and in international arbitration proceedings administered by major arbitral institutions, including the ICC, ICDR, AAA, CPR, DIS, ICSID, and LCIA.
A significant part of Lena's practice is helping European companies and investors expand into the U.S. market. She guides clients through each stage of that process, from initial planning and structuring the U.S. entity, through setting up governance, commercial contracts, employment arrangements, and real estate, to the ongoing operation of their U.S. subsidiaries. Her background as an international disputes lawyer shapes this work: she helps clients anticipate where U.S. litigation risk, liability exposure, and discovery obligations differ from what they know at home, and she structures their contracts and operations with those risks in mind from day one.
Lena also serves as outside general counsel in the U.S., acting as a single point of contact for their day-to-day legal needs and coordinating projects across the firm’s practice groups. When disputes arise, she manages them across jurisdictions, often where a European proceeding and a U.S. litigation or arbitration run in parallel. Because she is at home in both the civil law and common law traditions, clients rely on her to explain U.S. legal and business practice in terms that make sense to a European board or in-house legal team.
Lena's dispute and international arbitration experience covers a wide range of industries, including oil and gas, renewable energy, power, chemicals, manufacturing, automotive supply, banking, and technology. It includes disputes arising from long-term supply and offtake contracts, JOAs, power purchase agreements, distribution agreements, and post-M&A claims. She also advises clients before disputes arise, including on dispute-resolution clauses, contract structuring, and litigation risk.
Lena serves as the Houston regional representative of the German-American Lawyers' Association (DAJV). Before entering private practice, she clerked for the Honorable Sim Lake of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. She earned her JD with honors from the University of Texas School of Law, where she was a member of the Order of the Coif and a Notes Editor of the Texas Law Review.
Experience
Representative Matters
- Serves as outside general counsel to European-owned companies and their U.S. subsidiaries, advising on ongoing commercial, contractual, and risk issues.
- Coordinates cross-practice projects for European clients, leading firm teams in corporate contracts, employment, real estate, tax, immigration, trade as the clients’ primary point of contact.
- Represents European companies and their U.S. subsidiaries in commercial litigation in state and federal court involving claims ranging from breach of contract, tort, and products liability.
- Manages multi-jurisdictional disputes, coordinating U.S. proceedings with related litigation or arbitration in across the Middle East, Europe, and the United States.
- Advises European companies on U.S. market entry and expansion, including choice and formation of the U.S. entity, governance, capitalization, and intercompany arrangements with the European parent.
- Assists European companies and manufacturers with establishing U.S. operations, setting up initial contracts and arrangements and with site selection, incentives negotiations.
- Advises European clients on dispute-resolution strategy and U.S. litigation risk when structuring their U.S. contracts and transactions.
- Represented a major oil & gas company in ICC arbitration relating to long-term petroleum sales and supply contract governed by Mexican law. After several early procedural wins, including an interim measures victory, obtained a favorable settlement for the client.*
- Represented a major chemicals company in a post-M&A arbitration administered by the DIS and governed by German law related to various guarantee breaches.*
- Represented a Texas-based oil & gas operating company in ICC arbitration against an international oil & gas exploration company related to a joint operating agreement for operations in an African nation.*
- Represented renewable solar energy investors in ICSID arbitrations against the host government in Central America related to the State’s adoption of legislation affecting the legal framework for investments, threats of expropriation, and noncompliance with commitments.*
- Advised major social media company in interrelated litigation and regulatory disputes across global jurisdictions related to false advertising.*
- Represented a luxury goods distributor in ICC arbitration relating to a wrongful termination of long-term exclusive distribution contract.*
- Advised a leading automotive parts manufacturer prior to a dispute relat4ed to the termination of a long-term supply contract.*
- Advised major oil & gas company and its subsidiaries on litigation and related risks in global investments.*
- Obtained a favorable Final Award for a technology and services company under the JAMS International Arbitration Rules against a Russian oilfield services company. The dispute arose under a sale and distribution agreement and the Tribunal awarded full recovery with interest, attorneys' fees, and costs.*
- Represented a natural gas distribution and storage company based in Mexico in a contract dispute against another natural gas distributor under the ICC Arbitration Rules.*
- Represented an international oil and gas company in an LCIA arbitration in a dispute over the price of natural gas.*
- Represented an international classification society in a cross-border dispute involving a European litigation and simultaneous U.S. arbitration.*
- Represented an international oil and gas company in an ad hoc arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules with respect to an LNG sales contract with a take-or-pay arrangement. The dispute involves a claim that a force majeure event relieves the counterparty from its obligations under the contract.*
- Represented an international energy company in a NAFTA arbitration against the Government of Canada under ICSID Arbitration Rules.*
- Represented a State in enforcement and annulment actions in federal court following an international arbitration award.*
- Represented a European manufacturer of steel chains in federal court for claimed damages of over US$500 million.*
- Represented an international energy company in a contract dispute regarding the purchase and supply of crude oil Texas Court.*
*Indicates experience prior to joining Nelson Mullins
Previous Professional Experience
- Global law firm, International Arbitration Attorney (2021-2025)
- Global law firm, International Arbitration Attorney (2018-2021); Summer Associate (May 2016-June 2016)
- International law firm, Summer Associate (July 2016-Aug. 2016)
Publications
- Author, “Arbitration Unbound: How the Yukos Oil Decision Yields Uncertainty for International Investment, Texas Law Review, Volume 95 Issue 1, November 2016
Languages
- English
- German
- Spanish
Education
-
University of Texas School of Law,
JD,
honors
(2017)
- Order of the Coif
- Texas Law Review – Notes Editor
- Tulane University, BA (2014)
Admissions
- Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
Clerkships
- Judicial Law Clerk, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas (2017 - 2018)
Industries
Representative Matters
- Serves as outside general counsel to European-owned companies and their U.S. subsidiaries, advising on ongoing commercial, contractual, and risk issues.
- Coordinates cross-practice projects for European clients, leading firm teams in corporate contracts, employment, real estate, tax, immigration, trade as the clients’ primary point of contact.
- Represents European companies and their U.S. subsidiaries in commercial litigation in state and federal court involving claims ranging from breach of contract, tort, and products liability.
- Manages multi-jurisdictional disputes, coordinating U.S. proceedings with related litigation or arbitration in across the Middle East, Europe, and the United States.
- Advises European companies on U.S. market entry and expansion, including choice and formation of the U.S. entity, governance, capitalization, and intercompany arrangements with the European parent.
- Assists European companies and manufacturers with establishing U.S. operations, setting up initial contracts and arrangements and with site selection, incentives negotiations.
- Advises European clients on dispute-resolution strategy and U.S. litigation risk when structuring their U.S. contracts and transactions.
- Represented a major oil & gas company in ICC arbitration relating to long-term petroleum sales and supply contract governed by Mexican law. After several early procedural wins, including an interim measures victory, obtained a favorable settlement for the client.*
- Represented a major chemicals company in a post-M&A arbitration administered by the DIS and governed by German law related to various guarantee breaches.*
- Represented a Texas-based oil & gas operating company in ICC arbitration against an international oil & gas exploration company related to a joint operating agreement for operations in an African nation.*
- Represented renewable solar energy investors in ICSID arbitrations against the host government in Central America related to the State’s adoption of legislation affecting the legal framework for investments, threats of expropriation, and noncompliance with commitments.*
- Advised major social media company in interrelated litigation and regulatory disputes across global jurisdictions related to false advertising.*
- Represented a luxury goods distributor in ICC arbitration relating to a wrongful termination of long-term exclusive distribution contract.*
- Advised a leading automotive parts manufacturer prior to a dispute relat4ed to the termination of a long-term supply contract.*
- Advised major oil & gas company and its subsidiaries on litigation and related risks in global investments.*
- Obtained a favorable Final Award for a technology and services company under the JAMS International Arbitration Rules against a Russian oilfield services company. The dispute arose under a sale and distribution agreement and the Tribunal awarded full recovery with interest, attorneys' fees, and costs.*
- Represented a natural gas distribution and storage company based in Mexico in a contract dispute against another natural gas distributor under the ICC Arbitration Rules.*
- Represented an international oil and gas company in an LCIA arbitration in a dispute over the price of natural gas.*
- Represented an international classification society in a cross-border dispute involving a European litigation and simultaneous U.S. arbitration.*
- Represented an international oil and gas company in an ad hoc arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules with respect to an LNG sales contract with a take-or-pay arrangement. The dispute involves a claim that a force majeure event relieves the counterparty from its obligations under the contract.*
- Represented an international energy company in a NAFTA arbitration against the Government of Canada under ICSID Arbitration Rules.*
- Represented a State in enforcement and annulment actions in federal court following an international arbitration award.*
- Represented a European manufacturer of steel chains in federal court for claimed damages of over US$500 million.*
- Represented an international energy company in a contract dispute regarding the purchase and supply of crude oil Texas Court.*
*Indicates experience prior to joining Nelson Mullins
Previous Professional Experience
- Global law firm, International Arbitration Attorney (2021-2025)
- Global law firm, International Arbitration Attorney (2018-2021); Summer Associate (May 2016-June 2016)
- International law firm, Summer Associate (July 2016-Aug. 2016)
Publications
- Author, “Arbitration Unbound: How the Yukos Oil Decision Yields Uncertainty for International Investment, Texas Law Review, Volume 95 Issue 1, November 2016
Languages
- English
- German
- Spanish
Media
Professional Activities
- Houston Regional Representative, Executive Committee, German-American Lawyers’ Association (DAJV) (2026-present)
Lena is a partner based in Houston and a native German speaker whose practice spans international arbitration, complex commercial litigation, and ongoing counsel to European companies building and growing their businesses in the United States. She represents clients in cross-border and domestic disputes, including for the enforcement of international awards and judgments, before state and... federal courts, and in international arbitration proceedings administered by major arbitral institutions, including the ICC, ICDR, AAA, CPR, DIS, ICSID, and LCIA.
A significant part of Lena's practice is helping European companies and investors expand into the U.S. market. She guides clients through each stage of that process, from initial planning and structuring the U.S. entity, through setting up governance, commercial contracts, employment arrangements, and real estate, to the ongoing operation of their U.S. subsidiaries. Her background as an international disputes lawyer shapes this work: she helps clients anticipate where U.S. litigation risk, liability exposure, and discovery obligations differ from what they know at home, and she structures their contracts and operations with those risks in mind from day one.
Lena also serves as outside general counsel in the U.S., acting as a single point of contact for their day-to-day legal needs and coordinating projects across the firm’s practice groups. When disputes arise, she manages them across jurisdictions, often where a European proceeding and a U.S. litigation or arbitration run in parallel. Because she is at home in both the civil law and common law traditions, clients rely on her to explain U.S. legal and business practice in terms that make sense to a European board or in-house legal team.
Lena's dispute and international arbitration experience covers a wide range of industries, including oil and gas, renewable energy, power, chemicals, manufacturing, automotive supply, banking, and technology. It includes disputes arising from long-term supply and offtake contracts, JOAs, power purchase agreements, distribution agreements, and post-M&A claims. She also advises clients before disputes arise, including on dispute-resolution clauses, contract structuring, and litigation risk.
Lena serves as the Houston regional representative of the German-American Lawyers' Association (DAJV). Before entering private practice, she clerked for the Honorable Sim Lake of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. She earned her JD with honors from the University of Texas School of Law, where she was a member of the Order of the Coif and a Notes Editor of the Texas Law Review.
Experience
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.Representative Matters
- Serves as outside general counsel to European-owned companies and their U.S. subsidiaries, advising on ongoing commercial, contractual, and risk issues.
- Coordinates cross-practice projects for European clients, leading firm teams in corporate contracts, employment, real estate, tax, immigration, trade as the clients’ primary point of contact.
- Represents European companies and their U.S. subsidiaries in commercial litigation in state and federal court involving claims ranging from breach of contract, tort, and products liability.
- Manages multi-jurisdictional disputes, coordinating U.S. proceedings with related litigation or arbitration in across the Middle East, Europe, and the United States.
- Advises European companies on U.S. market entry and expansion, including choice and formation of the U.S. entity, governance, capitalization, and intercompany arrangements with the European parent.
- Assists European companies and manufacturers with establishing U.S. operations, setting up initial contracts and arrangements and with site selection, incentives negotiations.
- Advises European clients on dispute-resolution strategy and U.S. litigation risk when structuring their U.S. contracts and transactions.
- Represented a major oil & gas company in ICC arbitration relating to long-term petroleum sales and supply contract governed by Mexican law. After several early procedural wins, including an interim measures victory, obtained a favorable settlement for the client.*
- Represented a major chemicals company in a post-M&A arbitration administered by the DIS and governed by German law related to various guarantee breaches.*
- Represented a Texas-based oil & gas operating company in ICC arbitration against an international oil & gas exploration company related to a joint operating agreement for operations in an African nation.*
- Represented renewable solar energy investors in ICSID arbitrations against the host government in Central America related to the State’s adoption of legislation affecting the legal framework for investments, threats of expropriation, and noncompliance with commitments.*
- Advised major social media company in interrelated litigation and regulatory disputes across global jurisdictions related to false advertising.*
- Represented a luxury goods distributor in ICC arbitration relating to a wrongful termination of long-term exclusive distribution contract.*
- Advised a leading automotive parts manufacturer prior to a dispute relat4ed to the termination of a long-term supply contract.*
- Advised major oil & gas company and its subsidiaries on litigation and related risks in global investments.*
- Obtained a favorable Final Award for a technology and services company under the JAMS International Arbitration Rules against a Russian oilfield services company. The dispute arose under a sale and distribution agreement and the Tribunal awarded full recovery with interest, attorneys' fees, and costs.*
- Represented a natural gas distribution and storage company based in Mexico in a contract dispute against another natural gas distributor under the ICC Arbitration Rules.*
- Represented an international oil and gas company in an LCIA arbitration in a dispute over the price of natural gas.*
- Represented an international classification society in a cross-border dispute involving a European litigation and simultaneous U.S. arbitration.*
- Represented an international oil and gas company in an ad hoc arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules with respect to an LNG sales contract with a take-or-pay arrangement. The dispute involves a claim that a force majeure event relieves the counterparty from its obligations under the contract.*
- Represented an international energy company in a NAFTA arbitration against the Government of Canada under ICSID Arbitration Rules.*
- Represented a State in enforcement and annulment actions in federal court following an international arbitration award.*
- Represented a European manufacturer of steel chains in federal court for claimed damages of over US$500 million.*
- Represented an international energy company in a contract dispute regarding the purchase and supply of crude oil Texas Court.*
*Indicates experience prior to joining Nelson Mullins
Previous Professional Experience
- Global law firm, International Arbitration Attorney (2021-2025)
- Global law firm, International Arbitration Attorney (2018-2021); Summer Associate (May 2016-June 2016)
- International law firm, Summer Associate (July 2016-Aug. 2016)
Publications
- Author, “Arbitration Unbound: How the Yukos Oil Decision Yields Uncertainty for International Investment, Texas Law Review, Volume 95 Issue 1, November 2016
Languages
- English
- German
- Spanish
Education
-
University of Texas School of Law,
JD,
honors
(2017)
- Order of the Coif
- Texas Law Review – Notes Editor
- Tulane University, BA (2014)
Admissions
- Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
Clerkships
- Judicial Law Clerk, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas (2017 - 2018)
Practice Areas
Industries
- Houston Regional Representative, Executive Committee, German-American Lawyers’ Association (DAJV) (2026-present)
Highlights from the Firm’s Insights
