Michael F. Decker

Michael Decker is a Harvard-trained lawyer and arbitrator with a broad background and range of experiences, including triple qualification in the United States (New York - attorney), England & Wales (solicitor) and Norway (advokat) – covering both common law and civil law (Nordic) systems.

Michael’s career has involved a mix of litigation in US and European courts and before international arbitration tribunals. The judicial perspective also informs his work, since he has served as a law clerk for both a trial court judge and an appeals court judge in the US federal system – and has also acted as arbitrator in multiple international disputes.

Michael’s clients and matters span a wide range of industries and topics, including shipping/maritime, private equity, insurance, technology, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, construction, infrastructure, defense, automotive, real estate, manufacturing, retail, finance, transportation, oil/gas, and renewable energy. 

While many disputes end up settling, Michael has led a number of arbitrations through a hearing and to a final award, including in multiple cases giving record-setting results in favor of Schjødt’s clients.

Advising regarding U.S. law issues, including disputes in the U.S. courts, remains among Michael’s areas of special focus.

While Michael primarily acts as counsel, he also gladly accepts assignments as arbitrator. In such endeavors he is served by a strong academic and theoretical training in the law, paired with years of practice; and by a balance of exposure to the law and practice both common law and civil law. Michael completed the SCC/SAA's diploma course for arbitrators (in 2022), and the inaugural course for experienced practitioners organized by the Center for Commercial Law of the University of Oslo Law School (in 2024-2025), and having worked on both ad hoc and institutional arbitration matters (ICC, SCC, DIA, Oslo Chamber of Commerce, NOMA, LCIA, and more).

Michael is the chair of the board of Young Arbitration Practitioners Norway.