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Former Cravath Litigation Department Head Daniel Slifkin Joins FedArb
Former head of Cravath’s Litigation Department brings extensive trial and arbitration experience in high-stakes commercial and securities disputes
October 01, 2026 — FedArb announced today that Daniel Slifkin has joined as an arbitrator and mediator. Mr. Slifkin brings more than three decades of experience litigating complex commercial, securities, corporate governance, financial services and cross-border disputes.
Mr. Slifkin retired from Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP in June 2026 after a distinguished career at the firm. He joined Cravath in 1991 from Harvard Law School, where he won the Sears Prize. He practiced at Cravath for 35 years and was Head of its Litigation Department from 2016 to 2021.
“Daniel has been trusted with extraordinarily consequential disputes because he combines rigorous legal analysis with sound judgment about what will matter most to a court, a tribunal and the parties,” said Kennen D. Hagen, President and CEO of FedArb. “His leadership at one of the country’s preeminent litigation firms, extensive courtroom experience and command of complex business disputes will be tremendous assets to our clients in helping them resolve complex disputes. Our clients will benefit greatly from his experience.”
A Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, Mr. Slifkin is one of the few litigators to have tried a securities fraud class action through to a jury verdict. He represented Vivendi in two closely watched securities cases, including a four-month jury trial. He also represented Elon Musk in defeating a $13 billion stockholder derivative action after an 11-day trial. His other work has included major disputes involving mergers and acquisitions, residential mortgage-backed securities, financial markets, corporate governance and cross-border transactions.
Mr. Slifkin has also served as counsel in international arbitrations involving cross-border supply agreements, joint ventures and indemnification. His matters have included arbitrations in New York, Geneva, London and Mexico City.
“The hardest disputes rarely turn on doctrine alone. They require a decision-maker who can absorb a complicated record, understand the commercial stakes and focus on the issues that will drive the outcome,” said Mr. Slifkin. “FedArb is built around that kind of focused, case-specific approach, and I look forward to helping parties resolve their most challenging matters.”
Mr. Slifkin is recognized in Benchmark Litigation’s Hall of Fame and among its Top 100 Trial Lawyers in America, and by Chambers USA, The Legal 500 US, Lawdragon and The Best Lawyers in America. He earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School, where he was an editor of the Harvard Law Review. He received his B.C.L. and B.A., both with first class honors, from the University of Oxford.
About FedArb
FedArb is a global ADR firm providing comprehensive dispute resolution services to companies and law firms facing complex litigation. With a panel of more than 150 experienced professionals, including former law firm practice heads and more than 60 former Article III judges, FedArb helps resolve disputes through arbitration, mediation, mock exercises and other ADR methods efficiently and cost-effectively. For more than 20 years, FedArb has been a trusted choice for resolving consequential disputes, offering responsive client service and a commitment to putting the client first.