Thomas Kendra

Partner in Hogan Lovells' Paris international arbitration practice, Thomas' knowledge and skills are focused on the energy, life sciences, TMT, aerospace, mining, finance and construction sectors, as well as in investment arbitration, in which he has acted for both States and investors. He is dual-qualified in England and France.

Thomas is passionate about encouraging the growth of alternative dispute resolution, notably in Africa and Asia, where he has worked. This has led him to collaborate in establishing the Kigali International Arbitration Centre (KIAC) in Rwanda in 2012, for which he was shortlisted for Solicitor of the Year by the Law Society, and he remains an active member of KIAC's Board. Thomas also co-leads Hogan Lovells' Paris-Afrique Group, a cross-practice desk established within the Paris office, and he has recently been elected co-president of AfricArb, a non-profit organisation of practitioners aiming to promote the development of arbitration in Africa.

Thomas presents and publishes widely on international arbitration topics, as well as teaching at Sciences-Po, Queen Mary and Versailles University. Thomas has been said to “lead the market” in relation to arbitrations in Francophone Africa by Who's Who Legal, 2017, and is ranked by Chambers, with sources noting his "ability to combine a bird's-eye perspective on the case with sufficient attention to detail" [Chambers Europe 2019] and his "very well-prepared and effective cross examinations"[Chambers Global 2018]] .