Nathan D. O’Malley

Nathan O’Malley is a seasoned international arbitration lawyer representing multinational clients in high-stakes cross-border disputes. Based in Los Angeles, he leads Musick Peeler’s International Arbitration and Litigation Practice Group. His work spans sectors such as renewable energy, construction, medical devices, financial services, and commercial contracts generally. In addition to acting on behalf of his clients, Mr. O'Malley is regularly called upon to serve as an arbitrator for complex international and domestic disputes. 

With decades of experience in both the U.S. and Europe, Mr. O’Malley also advises on the structuring, drafting, and enforcement of international commercial agreements.

International and Domestic Arbitration Experience

Mr. O’Malley has appeared as lead attorney in international arbitrations seated around the world, including in such locations as Geneva, Zurich, London, Amsterdam, Brussels, The Hague, Vienna, Frankfurt, Singapore, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. He has handled disputes under the ICC, ICDR/AAA, UNCITRAL, SCC, NAI (Netherlands Arbitration Institute), Swiss Rules and WIPO arbitration rules. 

Next to his work abroad, Mr. O'Malley also acts for clients involved in US and California-focused arbitrations, including matters constituted under the AAA Commercial and Construction Rules and in JAMS administered arbitrations. Mr. O'Malley is also one of the few attorneys in California to have handled optional arbitral appeals processes in which a final award is appealed to a second arbitration panel for review.

In parallel to his arbitration advocacy, he regularly appears before U.S. state and federal courts — including the California Courts of Appeal and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals — in arbitration enforcement and arbitrability matters. Notably, Mr. O’Malley successfully argued (amicus curiae) the published Ninth Circuit case of Portland General Electric v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., 862 F.3d 981 (9th Cir. 2017), which clarified the deference courts must show to arbitral tribunals when the ICC Arbitration Rules apply.

Sector Focus 

Mr. O’Malley’s practice includes handling arbitrations arising out of a wide range of business sectors, including the following:

• Renewable Energy: Acted in numerous disputes concerning utility and community scale solar, wind, and natural gas projects. 
• Engineering and Construction: Lead attorney in matters arising out of large infrastructure and commercial developments, including port and marine construction disputes, commercial high-rise developments and energy (oil and gas) projects. 
• Life Sciences & Medical Devices: Prior experience includes acting in product development, distribution, IP licensing, and cross-border disputes for manufacturers and developers.
• Financial Services & Fintech: Represented acquiring banks and payment platforms in cross-border disputes and in multi-jurisdictional litigation and arbitration.
• Commercial Contracts: Has acted in arbitrations concerning joint ventures, post-M&A claims, agriculture and other commodity contracts as well as disputes concerning distribution and licensing agreements.

Thought Leadership

Throughout his career, Mr. O'Malley has contributed to the development of international arbitration law and practice and is presently engaged in the following related activities:

• Serves as adjunct-professor at USC Gould School of Law co-teaching the course "International Arbitration Law and Practice."
• Author of the leading text, The Rules of Evidence in International Arbitration (Routledge, 2nd ed.).
• Co-Chair: AAA-ICDR California Committee and ICC/USCIB West Coast Committee.
• Frequent speaker at arbitration conferences and legal forums worldwide.

International Practice Experience

Mr. O’Malley practiced law in the Netherlands for over a decade and speaks Dutch. He was registered with the Rotterdam Bar and now frequently represents European and Netherlands-based clients.

Recent Speaking Engagements 

• The Hague Future Disputes Conference (2025)
• California Arbitration Week, ICC Panel (2025) 
• Association of International Energy Negotiators Conference (2024) 
• Paris Arbitration Week (2024 - 2025) 
• ITA/IEL/ICC Joint Conference (2024) 
• AAA Construction Arbitration Conference (2023) 

Admissions & Associations

State Bar of California

United States District Court, Central and Eastern Districts of California

ICDR / AAA, Member of the Panel of Arbitrators, Starting November 2015

Member of the ICDR-AAA Global Energy Committee

Member of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA)

Korean Commercial Arbitration Board, Member of the Panel of International Arbitrators, Effective until May 31, 2020

Member of the USCIB Arbitration Committee, Leadership Group (Vice-Chair of the West Coast Subcommittee)