ANNA MKRTCHYAN

Republic of Armenia Bar Association

Experience includes legal research and analysis; coverage analysis and policy wording review for P&I, H&M, FD&D, war risks, LOH and marine cargo insurance; liability assessment and claim handling; and management of multijurisdictional marine insurance disputes and recoveries. Skilled in handling contentious insurance and commercial matters, drafting legal opinions, pleadings, submissions and correspondence, and resolving insurance, contractual and commercial disputes. Practice further covers shipping and international trade matters, arbitration and maritime dispute resolution, as well as strategic legal advising and case strategy.

• Leadership: Led a team of 10 interns and junior lawyers; progressed from junior role to senior associate and currently on the partnership track.
• Responsibility and result orientation: recognised two consecutive years as the top 20 maritime industry professionals under the age of 40 in the MENA Region by Seatrade Maritime.
• Commercial awareness: Acknowledged for ensuring financial benefit of the company based on the high billable hours;
• Communication skills: Instrumentally delivered legal consultancy to major Insurance, shipping and drilling companies in the UAE, defined strategy of litigation and arbitration proceedings; was involved in major Arbitration proceedings, claim amount exceeding USD 70 million;
• Problem-solving and organizational skills: Delivered legal assistance to 60% of the law firm’s clients and was actively involved in 80% of court cases of the firm;
• Teamwork and trustworthiness: Assisted partner of the law firm to handle litigation matters, lead major and systemic enforcement actions, resolution interventions; was considered as an employee of the year 2021 of the law firm based on professional and personal qualities.
• Drafting ability: Drafting and Review of Legal Documents, Charters, POAs, Commercial Agreements, Contracts, Witness statements, expert reports, litigation-related documents and submissions;
• Communication and Negotiations: Client Engagement, Client Management, Relationship Management, Contract and Commercial Deal Negotiations, etc.

• EUR 4.6m marine hull fire claim: Coverage dispute involving UAE Maritime and Civil Code interpretation of fire-related claims and vessel warranties.
• AED 1.365m pleasure craft total loss claim: DIFC jurisdiction challenges, successful application to set aside default judgment, ongoing litigation advisory.
• Approx. USD 2m marine cargo claim: Unscheduled transshipment dispute; precedent-setting issues on open cover policies and endorsements.
• USD 7m exposure under USD 70m hull/war policies: DIFC proceedings confirming avoidance for misrepresentation and warranty breaches.
• USD 3–3.5m time charter hire dispute (Shelltime 4): Advising on hire, ROB issues, and termination rights for floating storage vessel dispute.
• USD 8.5m DIAC sale of goods dispute: Seller representation in two arbitrations over unpaid steel shipments; contract formation and evidentiary arguments.
• USD 17m multi-jurisdictional fraud & AML claim: Coordination with Dubai Police; civil actions against banks; expert findings on AML failures.

• Ambassador, Insurance Foundation for Servicemen (Armenia) — UAE (since 2020): Community engagement, fundraising, and diaspora coordination.
• Board Member, 'We Are Armenians' Foundation (since 2019): Supporting underprivileged families, rural development, and social projects.

• Judge — Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot (Washington D.C., 2017; UAE National Rounds 2024)
• Participant — Autumn School on European Law (IRZ, 2015)
• ICRC Moot Court Competition (IHL), 2015
• Delegation Attendant — Francophonie Ministerial Council (2015)
• Leadership School Foundation, Armenia (2013–2014)

• Windows
• Linux
• Ubuntu
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Premiere Pro)
• Internet research tools