R. Zachary Torres-Fowler

Partner

212.382.7016

More ways to contact R. Zachary Torres-Fowler

Additional Languages: Spanish (intermediate)

Overview
Representative Matters
Insights
Awards

Zach is a partner in the firm’s Construction Practice Group. He concentrates his practice on construction-related disputes, and specializes in complex domestic and international arbitration proceedings. He has experience before arbitral panels and tribunals under a wide variety of U.S. domestic and international arbitration rules including the AAA, JAMS, ICDR, ICC, LCIA, and ICSID.

His experience includes advising clients in connection with construction and infrastructure projects in the U.S., Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. He has significant experience representing owners, contractors, and suppliers/subcontractors in connection with disputes arising from a wide variety of construction projects including power plants, airports, commercial buildings, and other civil infrastructure works.

In addition to his disputes practice, Zach regularly advises clients on contract drafting and negotiation, contract administration, and dispute avoidance. While many of these engagements involve bespoke EPC and other construction contracts, Zach has significant experience with a large number of industry standard agreements, including FIDIC.

Zach is a regular author and speaker in the field of construction and international arbitration and has been published in multiple academic and professional journals. He has also taught courses as an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School and Charles Widger School of Law at Villanova University.

  • Represented a U.S.-based manufacturer in connection with a Beijing seated arbitration pursuant to the CIETAC Arbitration Rules.
  • Represented a multinational tunneling contractor involved in an international arbitration pursuant to the ICC Rules of Arbitration in connection with a multimillion-dollar construction payment dispute.
  • Represented a U.S.-based construction management firm in connection with a complex multiparty arbitration pursuant to the AAA Construction Industry Arbitration Rules over the construction of $1.5 billion skyscraper in Philadelphia, PA.
  • Represented a North American construction firm in an arbitration under the AAA Construction Industry Arbitration Rules concerning a multibillion-dollar subcontract dispute over the execution of switchyard and substation facilities on a natural-gas fired power plant in Prince George’s County, MD.
  • Represented a U.S.-based general contractor in an ICDR arbitration against its joint venture partner arising out of a military construction project in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
  • Represented Strabag SpA, an international construction company, in connection with a construction contract to execute approximately 73 kilometers of tunnels through the Chilean Andes to support of the completion of the multibillion-dollar 531 MW Alto Maipo Hydroelectric Power Project near Santiago, Chile.
  • Represented SolarReserve LLC, a developer of utility-scale solar power, in connection with the Crescent Dunes Project in Tonopah, NV.
  • Represented a multinational rail and transportation corporation in connection with a multimillion-dollar dispute over a rail car refurbishment contract for a major rail line in the Philadelphia, PA area.
  • Represented a South American state-owned oil company in connection with a multimillion-dollar ICC international arbitration seated in the Hague concerning the execution of an oil refinery expansion project.
  • Represented a multinational consortium of construction contractors in an ICC international arbitration concerning the execution of a multibillion-dollar airport project in the Middle East.
  • Represented a state-owned project development entity in connection with multiple disputes over a series of road, water treatment, and other infrastructure projects in northern Mozambique.
  • Represented a Kuwaiti businessman in a multibillion-dollar international arbitration under the ICC Arbitration Rules over dissolution of a family partnership.
  • Represented a multinational software corporation in connection with multiple investigations conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission over potential violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
  • Represented a South American state-owned oil and gas company in receivership proceedings in the District of Connecticut.
  • Recognized as a “Future Leader” in International Arbitration by Lexology Index (2025)
  • Honored as Young Attorney of the Year at the Pennsylvania Legal Awards by The Legal Intelligencer (2024)
  • Named as one of the Lawyers on the Fast Track (Large Firm) at the Pennsylvania Legal Awards by The Legal Intelligencer (2024)
  • Benchmark Litigation: “40 & Under List” in Pennsylvania (2024-2025)
  • Legal 500 United States for Real Estate: Construction (including Construction Litigation) (2022)
  • Awarded “Top Author” in JD Supra Readers’ Choice Awards for thought leadership in construction (2020)

Zach is a partner in the firm’s Construction Practice Group. He concentrates his practice on construction-related disputes, and specializes in complex domestic and international arbitration proceedings. He has experience before arbitral panels and tribunals under a wide variety of U.S. domestic and international arbitration rules including the AAA, JAMS, ICDR, ICC, LCIA, and ICSID.

His experience includes advising clients in connection with construction and infrastructure projects in the U.S., Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. He has significant experience representing owners, contractors, and suppliers/subcontractors in connection with disputes arising from a wide variety of construction projects including power plants, airports, commercial buildings, and other civil infrastructure works.

In addition to his disputes practice, Zach regularly advises clients on contract drafting and negotiation, contract administration, and dispute avoidance. While many of these engagements involve bespoke EPC and other construction contracts, Zach has significant experience with a large number of industry standard agreements, including FIDIC.

Zach is a regular author and speaker in the field of construction and international arbitration and has been published in multiple academic and professional journals. He has also taught courses as an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School and Charles Widger School of Law at Villanova University.

  • Represented a U.S.-based manufacturer in connection with a Beijing seated arbitration pursuant to the CIETAC Arbitration Rules.
  • Represented a multinational tunneling contractor involved in an international arbitration pursuant to the ICC Rules of Arbitration in connection with a multimillion-dollar construction payment dispute.
  • Represented a U.S.-based construction management firm in connection with a complex multiparty arbitration pursuant to the AAA Construction Industry Arbitration Rules over the construction of $1.5 billion skyscraper in Philadelphia, PA.
  • Represented a North American construction firm in an arbitration under the AAA Construction Industry Arbitration Rules concerning a multibillion-dollar subcontract dispute over the execution of switchyard and substation facilities on a natural-gas fired power plant in Prince George’s County, MD.
  • Represented a U.S.-based general contractor in an ICDR arbitration against its joint venture partner arising out of a military construction project in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
  • Represented Strabag SpA, an international construction company, in connection with a construction contract to execute approximately 73 kilometers of tunnels through the Chilean Andes to support of the completion of the multibillion-dollar 531 MW Alto Maipo Hydroelectric Power Project near Santiago, Chile.
  • Represented SolarReserve LLC, a developer of utility-scale solar power, in connection with the Crescent Dunes Project in Tonopah, NV.
  • Represented a multinational rail and transportation corporation in connection with a multimillion-dollar dispute over a rail car refurbishment contract for a major rail line in the Philadelphia, PA area.
  • Represented a South American state-owned oil company in connection with a multimillion-dollar ICC international arbitration seated in the Hague concerning the execution of an oil refinery expansion project.
  • Represented a multinational consortium of construction contractors in an ICC international arbitration concerning the execution of a multibillion-dollar airport project in the Middle East.
  • Represented a state-owned project development entity in connection with multiple disputes over a series of road, water treatment, and other infrastructure projects in northern Mozambique.
  • Represented a Kuwaiti businessman in a multibillion-dollar international arbitration under the ICC Arbitration Rules over dissolution of a family partnership.
  • Represented a multinational software corporation in connection with multiple investigations conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission over potential violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
  • Represented a South American state-owned oil and gas company in receivership proceedings in the District of Connecticut.
  • Recognized as a “Future Leader” in International Arbitration by Lexology Index (2025)
  • Honored as Young Attorney of the Year at the Pennsylvania Legal Awards by The Legal Intelligencer (2024)
  • Named as one of the Lawyers on the Fast Track (Large Firm) at the Pennsylvania Legal Awards by The Legal Intelligencer (2024)
  • Benchmark Litigation: “40 & Under List” in Pennsylvania (2024-2025)
  • Legal 500 United States for Real Estate: Construction (including Construction Litigation) (2022)
  • Awarded “Top Author” in JD Supra Readers’ Choice Awards for thought leadership in construction (2020)
  • Member, Board of Directors, Atlanta International Arbitration Society
  • Member, Young Lawyer Editorial Board for The Legal Intelligencer
  • Member, Global Advisory Board of the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) Young & International (2020-2023)
  • Member, International Construction ABA Forum on Construction Law – Division 8
  • Officer, International Construction Projects and Arbitration Committees of the International Bar Association
  • Member, International Arbitration Committee of the ABA Section on International Law
  • Member, Young ITA of the Institute for Transnational Arbitration
  • Member, Young Arbitrators Forum of the International Chamber of Commerce
  • Member, Hispanic National Bar Association, International Law Section
  • Regional director, Society of Construction Law, North America
  • Member, LCIA Young International Arbitration Group
  • Member, Rising Arbitrators Initiative
  • Member, Young SIAC (Singapore International Arbitration Centre)

Education

  • University of Virginia School of Law, J.D., 2012, managing editor, Research and Projects, Virginia Journal of International Law; recipient Virginia Journal of International Law, Hardy Cross Dillard Award
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A., with honors and distinction, 2007, political science

Bar Admissions

  • Pennsylvania
  • New York

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit

Languages

  • Spanish (intermediate)