Benedetta Audia

Benedetta Audia is the Principal of International Development LLC, a firm advising private sector companies in international development and business matters and providing counsel to multilateral organizations, non-governmental organizations and government entities on a wide array of issues including United Nations privileges and immunities, due diligence, investigations, funds receipt and disbursement, project design and dispute settlement. Prior to establishing International Development LLC, Ms. Audia was a Partner at DLA Piper, where she founded and chaired the firm’s global international development practice. Before joining DLA Piper, Ms. Audia spent almost two decades working at the United Nations as Corporate Legal Advisor, where she conceptualized the legal architecture of thousands of multimillion-dollar projects implemented in developing countries, where she traveled extensively to lead negotiations with high-level government officials. Prior to joining multilateral organizations, Ms. Audia worked on mergers and acquisitions at Gianni Origoni and was involved in numerous domestic and international transactions.

A seasoned negotiator with extensive experience in multiple jurisdictions, Ms. Audia routinely advises clients on innovative ways to structure project agreements while mitigating risks and ensuring funds are used for their intended purpose. She advises senior officials on complex strategic and legal matters where a solution-oriented approach must be coupled with the ability to protect organizational interests. Noteworthy is Ms. Audia’s knowledge and experience in procurement and grant disbursement modalities, including vendor sanctions, bid protests, contract awards and general terms and conditions..

Ms. Audia has settled major disputes and is involved in complex arbitrations across a wide variety of sectors including infrastructure, procurement, health and environment. She drafts several policy documents and successfully negotiates global partnership and funding agreements with major donor governments covering voluntary contributions as well as multi-partner trust funds.

Ms. Audia provides training to thousands of United Nations personnel, foreign government officials and representatives of non-state entities relating to the structure and the legal status of the United Nations and the privileges and immunities enjoyed by the United Nations and its officials. She speaks and writes regularly on topics related to public international law, procurement and blockchain. Ms. Audia teaches Procurement in International Development and is also an Adjunct Professor of Contracting in International Development at Fordham University and a law professor at LUISS Guido Carli University. She recently co-authored three books, one on the legal aspects of blockchain, one on global lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and one on current trends in fashion law.

Ms. Audia was recently appointed to serve as the Legal Advisor to the Permanent Mission of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta to the United Nations.

Ms. Audia was recognized for innovative leadership by Corporate Council as part of the Women, Influence and Power award.

Ms. Audia is a Board Member of the NYC Opera and Global Citizen.