HKA is pleased to announce that Laura Sochat has joined our Economics team in London as Director within our Forensic Accounting and Commercial Damages Practice. Laura’s appointment strengthens our ability to deliver market-leading economic insight in international arbitration, investor-state disputes, and energy sector advisory. 

Laura brings over a decade of experience in economics consulting and academia, with a strong focus on the energy sector, regulatory and policy advisory, and international arbitration, including high-profile investor-state disputes. She has acted as both project manager and appointed expert in cases spanning multiple jurisdictions, providing economic analysis, financial and economic modelling for damages estimation and asset valuation, structuring and writing expert reports, and preparing, attending, and testifying at final hearings. 

Her experience includes advising on regulatory frameworks and market design for integrated energy companies and utilities, as well as leading strategic engagements for industry bodies. Laura has worked extensively on disputes involving LNG production, power generation, and energy infrastructure, alongside valuation and damages assessments in investor-state and commercial arbitration contexts. 

“HKA’s reputation for excellence and its commitment to delivering robust, insightful analysis in complex disputes aligns perfectly with my experience and passion. I’m thrilled to be joining HKA and look forward to working with colleagues across Europe, and globally to support clients in navigating challenging regulatory and commercial issues in the energy sector and beyond.” 

Laura Sochat, Director, HKA

Beyond her client work, Laura is an active contributor to the wider professional community and a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion. She co-founded WEconnect, a network promoting diversity in arbitration, and regularly speaks at leading industry events, including GAR Women in Arbitration, Energy Law Group, and Paris Arbitration Week. Laura has been recognised in Lexology Index’s Expert Witness Future Leaders ranking and published in the Investment Treaty Arbitration Review. She also served as co-chair of the pro bono committee and led European engagement for diversity and inclusion in her previous role. 

“Laura’s arrival augments and reinforces our global Economics practice, particularly in energy and investor-state arbitration. Her experience as an expert witness and her leadership in complex disputes will be invaluable as we continue to expand our capabilities internationally.”  

Chris Williams, Partner, Head of Economics, International at HKA

Prior to joining HKA, Laura was a Principal in the Energy Practice at CRA International and previously worked in competition economics. She began her career as a Teaching Fellow in the Economics Department at the University of Warwick, teaching microeconomics, macroeconomics, money and banking, statistics, and econometrics. Laura holds an MSc in Economics and International Financial Economics from the University of Warwick and a BSc in Economics from the University of Essex. 

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Name	Jill Dawson
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