Charlene Valdez Warner is a Senior Associate in Barton’s Litigation Practice focusing on international arbitration, investigations, and complex commercial litigation. Charlene advises multinational corporations, leading financial institutions, and global businesses on a wide range of contentious matters.
Charlene maintains a wealth of experience at international arbitration gained through her work at leading international arbitration institutions including the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) and the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR Institute). She also trained with the international arbitration team of Freshfields LLP in Paris, where she gained experience in both investor-state and commercial arbitration. Charlene further expanded her litigation skillset during her secondment to the wealth management litigation team of a global investment bank, handling a range of client litigation, arbitration matters, and regulatory inquiries.
Prior to joining Barton, Charlene was an attorney at Linklaters LLP in New York, where she represented clients in complex commercial litigation and arbitration matters involving a wide range of industries, including financial services, healthcare, energy, and construction. Her experience encompasses all phases of litigation and arbitration, from pre-dispute resolution to trial and enforcement of awards.
Charlene is actively involved in the international arbitration community, serving as a Board Member of the Young SIAC Council in the Americas. In this role, she contributes to promoting international arbitration and ADR and supports initiatives that address challenges within diverse legal and business communities across Asian jurisdictions and cultures.
Charlene fluent in Tagalog and is conversant in French and Spanish.
Education
Brooklyn Law School – J.D., cum laude
Queen Mary. University of London – LLM in Energy and Natural Resources Law, with Merit
University of the Philippines – J.D.
University of the Philippines – B.A. in Political Science, cum laude
Admissions
State of New York
United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
Languages
Tagalong – fluent
French – conversant
Spanish - conversant
Practices
Arbitration
Commercial Litigation
White Collar Defense
Industry Experience
Construction
Finance
Financial Services, Investment Funds, and Regulatory Compliance
Generation and Energy Services
Healthcare
Real Estate
Professional Affiliations
Young Singapore International Arbitration Centre (YSIAC) – Board Member, 2023 to present
Representative Matters
Represented a biopharma executive in related civil and criminal federal litigation involving allegations of conspiracy, securities fraud, wire fraud and insider trading
Represented a Latin American joint venture in two ICC arbitrations regarding a construction dispute in an EPC contract related to a hydroelectric power plant project
Represented a French multinational pharmaceutical company in an ICDR arbitration of a post-M&A dispute
Represented a biomass plant owner in a AAA construction dispute brought by its EPC contractor and in a JAMS mediation involving a long-term supply contract claim brought by a UK-based purchaser
Defended of a West African sovereign in federal enforcement proceedings of an arbitral award
Defended of a South African mining company in a Delaware appraisal action following a major U.S. acquisition
Advised multinational banks in federal antitrust proceedings alleging conspiracy to manipulate benchmark rates
Represented a foreign chemical company in a Section 1782 application before a U.S. federal court
Represented various pro bono matters, including a collaboration with the ACLU Justice Lab in two civil rights suits in Louisiana, numerous diversity programs and GenAI initiatives
Attorney Articles
“The World Bank Group in International Dispute Resolution of Fraud and Corruption: Examining the Practice and Jurisprudence of the Sanctions Board and ICSID Arbitral Tribunals.” Co-author; Chapter 18. Transnationalization of Anti-Corruption Law. (Routledge, May 2021).
“The Equal Representation in Arbitration over the years: the campaign for gender diversity in arbitral tribunals continues.” Co-author. Leadership, Legitimacy, Legacy, A Tribute to Alexis Mourre (ICC, October 2022).
Presentations
“Arbitration 2024 Year in Review and 2025 Outlook,” Young Singapore International Arbitration Centre (YSIAC) Event. Panelist. Hosted by Milbank LLP. (January 9, 2025).
“The Impact of International Backgrounds on Arbitration Advocacy Styles.” Panelist. Hosted by Fordham International Law Association, Fordham Law School. (February 28, 2024).
“My First Arbitral Appointment: Breaking Barriers to Diversity and Inclusion in International Arbitration.” Moderator. New York Arbitration Week. (November 17, 2023).