Lena Serhan
Partner
1111 Bagby Street
Suite 2100
Houston, TX 77002
Lena is a partner based in Houston and focuses her practice on complex cross-border and domestic disputes, including international arbitration, enforcement of international awards and judgments, and complex commercial litigation matters in both state and federal courts. Lena has significant experience with all major arbitral institutions, including the ICC, ICDR, AAA, CPR, DIS, ICSID, and...
Lena is a partner based in Houston and focuses her practice on complex cross-border and domestic disputes, including international arbitration, enforcement of international awards and judgments, and complex commercial litigation matters in both state and federal courts. Lena has significant experience with all major arbitral institutions, including the ICC, ICDR, AAA, CPR, DIS, ICSID, and LCIA. She advises clients in a wide range of industries and areas, including oil and gas, renewable energy, power, banking, and social media technologies, and related to disputes arising from long-term energy contracts, JOAs, power purchase agreements, take-or-pay agreements, mergers and acquisitions, among others. In addition, Lena’s practice consists of advisory work to prevent disputes from arising, including advice related to drafting of arbitration and dispute-resolution clauses and general litigation risk.
Drawing on experience across multiple jurisdictions, Lena also counsels European clients with business interests in the United States, helping clients navigate the U.S. legal landscape with practical, strategic guidance tailored to their commercial objectives.
Before entering private practice, Lena clerked for the Honorable Judge Sim Lake at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Lena completed her JD at the University of Texas, where she graduated with honors (Order of the Coif) and was an editor on the Texas Law Review.
LCIA. She advises clients in a wide range of industries and areas, including oil and gas, renewable energy, power, banking, and social media technologies, and related to disputes arising from long-term energy contracts, JOAs, power purchase agreements, take-or-pay agreements, mergers and acquisitions, among others. In addition, Lena’s practice consists of advisory work to prevent disputes from arising, including advice related to drafting of arbitration and dispute-resolution clauses and general litigation risk.
Drawing on experience across multiple jurisdictions, Lena also counsels European clients with business interests in the United States, helping clients navigate the U.S. legal landscape with practical, strategic guidance tailored to their commercial objectives.
Before entering private practice, Lena clerked for the Honorable Judge Sim Lake at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Lena completed her JD at the University of Texas, where she graduated with honors (Order of the Coif) and was an editor on the Texas Law Review.
Experience
Representative Matters
- 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
Representative Matters
- 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
Lena is a partner based in Houston and focuses her practice on complex cross-border and domestic disputes, including international arbitration, enforcement of international awards and judgments, and complex commercial litigation matters in both state and federal courts. Lena has significant experience with all major arbitral institutions, including the ICC, ICDR, AAA, CPR, DIS, ICSID, and... LCIA. She advises clients in a wide range of industries and areas, including oil and gas, renewable energy, power, banking, and social media technologies, and related to disputes arising from long-term energy contracts, JOAs, power purchase agreements, take-or-pay agreements, mergers and acquisitions, among others. In addition, Lena’s practice consists of advisory work to prevent disputes from arising, including advice related to drafting of arbitration and dispute-resolution clauses and general litigation risk.
Drawing on experience across multiple jurisdictions, Lena also counsels European clients with business interests in the United States, helping clients navigate the U.S. legal landscape with practical, strategic guidance tailored to their commercial objectives.
Before entering private practice, Lena clerked for the Honorable Judge Sim Lake at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Lena completed her JD at the University of Texas, where she graduated with honors (Order of the Coif) and was an editor on 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
- 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
- International Arbitration
- Europe
- Latin America & the Caribbean
- Middle East
- Commercial Litigation & Business Torts
- Alternative Energy
- Power Generation
- Energy
Industries
Highlights from the Firm’s Insights
