I advocate for sovereign States in international tribunals and U.S. courts and advise companies on critical human rights issues.
Ishita Petkar is a member of the firm’s International Litigation & Arbitration Department and Global Business & Human Rights practice. Ishita represents and advises sovereign States on matters involving public international law and international investment law in U.S. courts and international tribunals. Ishita also advises sovereign and corporate clients on complex human rights and environmental and social governance issues.
Prior to joining Foley Hoag, Ishita served as Policy Director at the International Accountability Project (IAP). In this role, Ishita advised development banks and investor States on best practices for stakeholder engagement with Indigenous and local communities worldwide; contributed to the development of environmental and social governance policies; and advocated on behalf of communities impacted by development finance.
Ishita offers unique experience in Indigenous rights, including on issues of free, prior and informed consent (“FPIC”).
Columbia University, M.A. in Human Rights Studies, 2017
University of Toronto, Trinity College, Hon. B.A., high distinction, 2015
University for Peace, Human Rights Center, Certificate in Indigenous Peoples Human Rights, 2014
Bar and Court Admissions
BAR ADMISSIONS
New York
COURT ADMISSIONS
U.S. District Court for the Southern District for New York
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
Languages
French
Hindi
Marathi
Experience
INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT ARBITRATION
Yaacov Afik, Michael Mistriel Aykout and Shimon Mistriel Aykout v. Republic of Cyprus. Counsel to Cyprus in an ICSID arbitration under the Israel-Cyprus bilateral investment treaty concerning land acquisitions in the occupied territory in northern Cyprus
Warburg Pincus and others v. Republic of Poland. Counsel to Poland in an ICSID arbitration under the Poland-United States bilateral investment treaty relating to measures in the pharmaceuticals sector
GLOBAL BUSINESS & HUMAN RIGHTS
Conducting gap analyses of forced labor policies and practices for fashion and online retailers
Advising conservation organization in Southeast Asia on compliance with international human rights law, including best practices on stakeholder engagement and Indigenous rights
Advising mining company on legal compliance and best practices for respecting Indigenous cultural heritage rights
Advising oil and gas company on litigation risks and compliance with international human rights law
Assessing policies and practices of software and technology companies in respecting rights to freedom of expression and privacy
INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY MATTERS
Advising a State on maritime boundary delimitation issues and rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
Advising companies on contractual disputes with the United Nations Procurement Division
LITIGATION BEFORE UNITED STATES COURTS
Representing the Prime Minister of Antigua & Barbuda in opposing a Section 1782 discovery application in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and in the Second Circuit
Advising States regarding foreign sovereign immunities and litigation strategies in U.S. court
Representing torture survivors under the Torture Victims Protection Act
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Policy Director, International Accountability Project
Other Prior Affiliations: EarthRights International; Human Rights Watch; Inclusive Development International
Honors & Involvement
HONORS
Vice President and Member of the Board of Student Advisers (BSA) at Harvard Law School
Dean’s Scholar Prizes in Legal Research and Writing and Harvard Human Rights Entrepreneurs Clinic, awarded in recognition of outstanding student work at Harvard Law School
Harvard Human Rights Program Summer Law Fellow
Institute for the Study of Human Rights Award for high academic achievement in human rights coursework at Columbia University
INVOLVEMENT
Business & Human Rights Young Professionals Network (BHRYPN), Leadership Board
American Society of International Law (ASIL), 2026 Annual Meeting Committee Member
South Asian Bar Association of New York (SABANY), Member
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