Roberta Wertman is a Partner in the Litigation & Dispute Management practice at Eversheds Sutherland, based in the Abu Dhabi office.
With 15 years of experience in the Middle East, Roberta has cultivated a distinguished career advising on both contentious and non-contentious matters across the construction and infrastructure sectors. Her practice spans the full project lifecycle—from procurement and contract negotiation to dispute resolution through arbitration and litigation. She regularly represents international and regional developers, contractors, and government entities in high-value disputes across the UAE, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
Roberta’s expertise includes acting in arbitrations under DIAC, ICC, DIFC-LCIA, and ADCCAC rules, often involving complex claims exceeding $100 million. She has advised on landmark projects such as desalination plants, logistics hubs, residential developments, and leisure facilities. Her clients include international and Middle East corporates.
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Some of Roberta’s experience includes:
- representing European contractor in dispute under Iraqi law in ICC arbitration; claim and counterclaims in excess of $210million
- representing an Abu Dhabi-based infrastructure contractor in ADCCAC-administered dispute, with developer arising out of major greenfield development. Claims exceeded $80million
- defended a major Dubai developer against $23million claim under ICC arbitration by landscaping company for alleged breach of a construction contract for a golf course development. Resulted in favourable settlement before hearing
- represented a Dubai developer in DIAC-administered arbitration involving substantial claims arising from construction of major sporting and leisure venue.
- advised a major Dubai developer regarding its strategy to limit liability associated with stalled development of property in the Dubai International Financial Centre.
- advised a developer of a hotel complex on St. Kitts & Nevis with respect to contractual obligations to the master developer
- successfully represented an Abu Dhabi branch of European subcontractors in a $20million fee dispute against a general contractor, resulting in full payment of fees and execution of substantial contract for further work
- acted as project counsel to a builder on a shipbuilding contract worth more than $40million. Advised on issues arising from extension of time claims, variations, quality disputes, and insurance
Roberta is a frequent speaker at construction community events in the UAE.
- admitted to the U.S. District Court- Northern District of Illinois and also All State Courts – Illinois
- professionally affiliated with the Abu Dhabi American Chamber of Commerce, the British Business Group and also the Society for Construction Law (Gulf)
- J.D. (Magna cum laude), New York University School of Law, USA, 2004
- M.Phil (Economics), University of Oxford, UK, 2001
- B.A. (Summa cum laude) Economics, Bryn Mawr College, USA, 1999