In the ultimate accolade, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP's international arbitration team is commended as having ‘no weak link’. As one of the largest dedicated groups in the market, the New York-based practice fields an impressive combination of senior specialists together with next-generation partners; all of whom bring to bear experience in representing the full scope of clients, including multinational corporations and sovereign states, in cross-border arbitral proceedings. A regular fixture on commercial, investment treaty and public international law-related matters, the group is a destination practice for complex cases under all major institutional rules. Co-chairing both the international dispute resolution and public international law departments, Catherine Amirfar enjoys a prominent global reputation for her record in landmark disputes. Amirfar recently paired up with Ina Popova to represent the Republic of Iraq in an ICSID case brought by Orange Telecom under the France-Iraq bilateral investment treaty (BIT), among other proceedings. Mark W. Friedman, who splits his time between New York and London, is sought after for his expertise in complex mining and natural resources cases; he teamed up with Latin America practice co-chair Dietmar Prager and Caribbean practice co-chair Natalie Reid to successful represent Tethyan Copper Company in its $6bn arbitration win against the Islamic Republic of Pakistan–the second-largest ICSID award ever rendered. Seasoned litigator David W. Rivkin is also widely recognized as a leading light, while newly promoted partner Laura Sinisterra and counsel Floriane Lavaud are highly regarded up-and-coming names.

A global leader in arbitral disputes, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is noted for its impressive market share of ICSID cases, with a particularly prominent record in complex investment disputes involving Latin American states. Alongside its dominant investor-state practice, the group is also routinely engaged to handle commercial arbitrations, where it is primarily active on behalf of multinational corporations in the energy and natural resources, infrastructure, pharmaceutical, and technology sectors. From Washington DC, Nigel Blackaby co-heads the firm’s Latin America practice and is highly regarded for his expertise in LatAm-related arbitral proceedings, especially mining and energy disputes. Blackaby recently acted alongside Caroline Richard, also in DC, to represent Canada-based Eco Oro Minerals Corporation in bringing a claim against Colombia under the Canada-Colombia Fair Trade Agreement. New York-based Elliot Friedman heads the international arbitration practice in the Americas and advises on major multi-jurisdictional commercial and investment treaty disputes; he is notably representing ConocoPhillips in a series of cases relating to the 2007 expropriation of three major oil investments in Venezuela, one of the largest expropriations in history. Rounding out the senior partners is Buenos Aires- and New York-qualified Noiana Marigo, who co-heads the international arbitration and Latin America groups; she is acting for BBVA in an ICSID arbitration against Bolivia concerning the nationalization of the country’s pension fund administration industry. The group also includes New York-based Thomas Walsh, who was promoted to partner in May 2022.

The ‘dream team‘ at King & Spalding LLP can turn its hand to complex arbitrations in any industry sector, with its deep bench and extensive national–and international–network positioning it as a dominant player in large-scale investment cases. It particularly stands out for its pioneering experience in the energy and natural resources spheres, with one oil and gas major highlighting it as ‘simply the best international arbitration practice in the market‘. Demonstrating its commitment to further growth in 2022, the department hired highly regarded commercial and investment arbitration specialist Samaa Haridi, who joined in New York from Hogan Lovells US LLP. Additionally, the firm’s launch of a Miami office saw several geographical relocations within the arbitration group as key partners moved to tap the Latin America market from the new Florida platform. Houston-based department co-head Doak Bishop is widely regarded as an authority in disputes involving the construction, environmental, foreign investment, and energy and natural resources, areas. Fellow co-head Edward Kehoe, based in New York, is also a leading light. Kehoe and Bishop recently teamed up with Craig Miles, who splits his practice between Miami and Houston, and Houston-based Wade Coriell, to represent Chevron in an investment treaty arbitration against the Republic of Ecuador, arising out of a $9.5bn Ecuadorian court judgment against Chevron for alleged environmental harm. The group also includes senior specialists Harry Burnett, who recently moved to Miami to support his thriving Latin America practice, and Chicago-based Javier Rubinstein. In Atlanta, Elizabeth Silbert is a talented next-generation partner. Viren Mascarenhas recently left the firm.

Widely regarded as a go-to practice for investor-state arbitration, White & Case LLP leverages its global network and premier public international law expertise to excel in representing both investors and nation states in complex cases. The team, which also shines in commercial arbitration, is well versed in all major institutional rules, as well as regional and ad hoc cases. Spread between five US offices, the sizeable group additionally draws on arbitration specialists in the firm’s international offices–including in key arbitration centers such as London, Paris, Geneva and Singapore–to bring to bear comprehensive jurisdictional and sectoral coverage. Washington DC-based global department head Abby Cohen Smutny frequently secures high-profile mandates from both respondents and claimants in investor-state arbitrations. Most recently, Cohen Smutny was part of the cross-office team that represented Gabriel Resources in an ICSID arbitration against Romania concerning the de facto expropriation of Gabriel’s rights in the Roşia Montană gold mining project. Washington DC-based Carolyn Lamm heads the international arbitration practice for the Americas and teamed up with Hansel Pham and Kristen Young, both also in DC, to represent the Republic of Uzbekistan in an ICSID arbitration brought under the Turkey-Uzbekistan BIT. In New York, pre-eminent specialist Paul Friedland is sought after for his first-class commercial and investor-state arbitration expertise. Ank Santens, who heads the America’s disputes section, is also noted in New York. The firm additionally fields a talented band of next-generation arbitration partners, including Damien Nyer and Brody Greenwald. Jonathan Hamilton departed the practice in March 2024.

Arnold & Porter’s premier sovereign state offering is reflected in its arbitration practice, where it is a popular choice to represent sovereign clients as respondents in investor-state disputes. The team’s strength in this sphere is evidenced by an impressive winning streak that has seen it secure 45 consecutive positive results in final awards or decisions for sovereign states in investment arbitrations. It also continues to make strides on the commercial arbitration front, with growing expertise in technology and life sciences proceedings. Among its recent commercial cases, San Francisco-based global department co-chair Maria Chedid acted alongside the firm’s Shanghai office to represent POSCO Energy in an ICC arbitration, seated in Singapore, initiated by FuelCell Energy. Washington DC-based Paolo Di Rosa co-heads the global international arbitration group and is a go-to specialist in representing states in complex investment treaty arbitrations. Di Rosa recently successfully defended South Korea against a $4.7bn claim in an ICSID arbitration. Other key contacts include New York’s Mélida Hodgson, who handles investor-state and commercial arbitration cases, and DC-based Whitney Debevoise, whose arbitration practice has a significant financial dimension.

International arbitration is a core discipline at New York-based disputes boutique Chaffetz Lindsey LLP, and the firm's focus on the area translates into a comprehensive offering, both in terms of practice scope and geographical coverage. Particularly robust in representing companies–in both commercial and investor-state cases–the group also continues to strengthen its sovereign state expertise; such as its recent victory for the Czech Republic in an arbitration brought under UNCITRAL rules arising out of the country's alleged breach of the Czech Republic-UAE BIT. Group head James Hosking, valued for his 'commercial approach to issues', co-led the Czech Republic case alongside Yasmine Lahlou, whose recent experience has seen her advise on cases seated in Paris, Stockholm, Istanbul, and The Hague, among others. Caline Mouawad 'has a plan at every step of the way' and is representing Clorox Spain in its UNCITRAL arbitration against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela under the Spain-Venezuela BIT. The group also draws on experienced specialists David Lindsey, who co-founded the firm, and Aníbal Sabater, whose practice has an emphasis on cases in the energy, construction, and financial spheres. Other recommended names include Andreas Frischknecht, noted for his 'commercial perspective', and Gretta Walters, who was recently promoted to partner.

Covington & Burling LLP's existing relationship with the Government of Ukraine was pushed dramatically to the forefront in 2023. Among its many Ukraine-related cases, the team was appointed–on a pro bono basis–to represent the country in commencing proceedings against the Russian Federation before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), including a request that the ICJ order Russia to immediately suspend all military operations against Ukraine. Over the past year, the group has also acted for a string of corporate clients in both investor-state and commercial arbitrations, with notable activity in the energy, insurance, construction and telecoms spheres. In Washington DC, high-profile global practice co-chair Marney Cheek advises corporate, non-profit, and government clients on proceedings involving public international law, investment, and international trade. Cheek teamed up with Jonathan Gimblett, who splits his time between London and Washington DC, and Washington DC-based David Zionts to lead Ukraine's ICJ work. In New York, the 'practical and helpful' Nicole Duclos is a key contact. Other recommended names in DC include energy and insurance specialist Allan Moore, Miguel López Forastier, who co-heads the global problem-solving practice, and talented special counsel Clovis Trevino. Additionally, New York-based David Pinsky is noted for his niche expertise in representing foreign investors in Crimea following Russia’s annexation of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014.

Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP‘s premier experience in representing sovereign states is a big draw for clients, who value its extensive knowledge of the ‘concerns and limitations of government or state entities made parties to arbitration‘. A leading performer in complex investor-state disputes–where it recently added three new sovereign clients to its roster including Mexico–the firm also houses a robust commercial arbitration practice spread across its US and international offices. Firm chairman George Kahale spearheads the global practice from New York and is widely revered for his record in prominent state-side representations. Among his recent cases, Kahale teamed up with Claudia Frutos-Peterson, who manages the Washington DC office, and Elisa Botero, who splits her practice between New York and Bogotá, to defend the Republic of Ecuador in proceedings initiated by a Singaporean company under the arbitration clause of an oil services contract with the Ministry of Petroleum. The group also includes tri-qualified up-and-coming specialist Simon Batifort, who works out of New York, Brussels and Paris, and Washington DC-based Borzu Sabahi, who is ‘straightforward in conveying the developments of a case‘.

Foley Hoag LLP stands out for its ‘excellent knowledge and skills in international arbitration, particularly investor-state arbitration‘. Certainly, the team has established itself among the preeminent sovereign-side practices, with its expertise in representing states before the ICJ standing out as a significant sweet spot; it is notably counsel in nearly half of the cases pending before the World Court. The group also handles a steady stream of commercial arbitration cases, where it acts for a mix of corporate entities and state-owned companies in contractual disputes. Since January 2023, Christina Hioureas (New York) and Constantinos Salonidis (Washington DC) and Diana Paraguacuto-Mahéo (Paris) co-chair the international litigation and arbitration department; Salonidis as well as Hioureas, who also chairs the United Nations group and provides advice that ‘cuts through the clutter‘, both specialize in representing sovereign states in complex multi-jurisdictional proceedings. The DC team includes Kenneth Figueroa and Clara Brillembourg, who together co-chair the Latin America practice; Derek Smith, who is noted for his specialist expertise in international boundary disputes; and capable international associate Sudhanshu Roy. Daniel Schimmel spearheads the practice in the New York office and strikes a balance between investor-state and commercial arbitration cases. Lawrence Martin continues to focus on representing sovereign states before various international courts.

Global arbitration and international law specialist Three Crowns LLP is uniquely positioned to provide high-level representation in multinational commercial, investor-state, and state-to-state cases. Based out of Washington DC, the US team is distinguished by its ability to lean on equally dedicated groups in London, Paris and Singapore; additionally, its exclusive focus on international disputes also marks it as a popular choice to act alongside major firms in a co-counsel role. High-profile expert Luke Sobota is a go-to name for disputes involving the energy, technology and financial services spheres; he is notably leading the firm's representation of Chevron (as co-counsel alongside King & Spalding LLP) in an investment treaty arbitration concerning a $9.5bn judgment against Chevron issued by Ecuadorian courts. Other prominent names include Liz Snodgrass, who has played central roles in nearly 50 arbitrations, and Scott Vesel, who recently transferred to Washington DC from Bahrain. The department also benefits from a talented second line of counsels including Agustin Sanz, who has an emphasis on proceedings relating to Latin America, and Simon Consedine, whose practice has a focus on energy, construction, and private equity-related disputes.

Leveraging its strong oil and gas credentials, Houston-headquartered Baker Botts L.L.P. consistently represents global industry heavyweights in multi-jurisdictional arbitral proceedings, including major energy and construction companies. Outside of the energy space, the group has a growing international presence in the TMT sphere. New York's Andrew Behrman co-chairs the global international disputes group and handled a string of energy and EPC-related arbitrations over the past year, with recent activity in ICC, UNCITRAL and ICDR cases, among others. Senior counsel Michael Goldberg splits his time between Houston and New York and is an 'outstanding international advocate'; he continues to take the lead in complex cases, including recently advising on disputes under ICDR and AAA rules. The team also draws on New York-based special counsel Edward Schorr, who has a focus on energy disputes, and Vern Cassin, who operates from Washington DC and New York and has an emphasis on the media and energy sectors.

Widely acknowledged for its record in Latin American disputes, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton houses a global arbitration practice that is well versed in the full spread of arbitral rules, with a strong recent showing in ICC, ICDR and LCIA cases. Equally adept in advising corporate and sovereign clients, the team strikes a balance between international and investor-state arbitrations. It also stands out for its broad industry experience, with the wider firm’s full-service offering and extensive global platform positioning it well to handle matters across all key sectors, with notable expertise in energy and natural resources, financial services, and telecoms. New York-based global arbitration co-head Ari MacKinnon is commended by clients as a ‘unique top-class option for arbitration in Spanish language‘; he has a focus on international investment and commercial arbitration matters in Latin America. Jeffrey Rosenthal, also in New York, maintains a diverse arbitration practice spanning IP, sport, maritime, insurance, and investment-treaty disputes, among other issues.

With extensive experience across the full range of international arbitration cases, Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP is arguably best known for its expertise in the investment treaty space, particularly cases under ICSID, UNCITRAL and PCA rules. Primarily active on behalf of investors, the team also acts for sovereign states. The group additionally fields a thriving commercial arbitration practice, which represents corporate and state-owned companies, with a focus on the pharmaceutical, energy, infrastructure, and M&A spheres. In New York, Hagit Muriel Elul brings niche expertise in representing Asia-based companies. Elul paired up with Washington DC-based arbitration expert John Townsend to advise Beijing-headquartered BeiGene—acting as co-counsel alongside Goodwin—in a $1.2bn breach-of-contract claim against Bristol-Myers Squibb. Washington DC-based James H. Boykin co-heads the arbitration practice alongside Elul and also fronts the investment treaty arbitration group; his practice has an emphasis on state-to-state and investor-state cases. Other key names include New York's Daniel Weiner, who specializes in arbitration and IP disputes, while Diego Durán de la Vega, who co-chairs the Latin America practice, and Rémy Gerbay are noted in Washington DC.

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s team is distinguished by clients for its ability to ‘put the client in the best position to achieve its commercial goals‘. The group’s core strength in commercial arbitration is underpinned by significant experience in investment treaty-related matters, particularly cases under ICSID and UNCITRAL rules. A strong performer worldwide, the firm’s generous domestic and global network ensures it is well-placed to advise on cases involving North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, among others, while its industry expertise is equally comprehensive. Houston-based Mark Baker chairs the practice globally and has notched up a premier track record in energy and natural resources-related cases. Also in Houston, US head of international arbitration Kevin O’Gorman is noted for his experience in commercial, energy, sovereign, treaty and projects disputes. In New York, co-head of insurance Mina Matin is recognized for her specialist expertise in Bermuda Form arbitrations. Additionally, Washington DC’s Matthew Kirtland is ‘innovative in the arguments he develops‘, while San Francisco-based Katie Connolly is a ‘superb rising associate‘.

Lawyers at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP 'want to win and win big', according to satisfied clients. As a central plank in the wider firm's signature dispute resolution offering, the international arbitration group can draw on specialists across all of its offices, including in key arbitration centers such as London, Paris, Geneva, Hong Kong and New York. With experience in the full scope of commercial, investor-state and state-to-state cases, the team is also highly equipped to advise on the global enforcement–and challenge–of arbitral awards. Chair of the US and Latin America practice, David Orta is 'astonishingly brilliant' and splits his time between Washington DC and Miami. As a former attorney-adviser in the Office of the Legal Adviser of the Department of State, New York-based Mark McNeill has extensive experience in representing private parties and states in commercial and investment-treaty arbitrations. Other key contacts include New York's Michael Young KC, who has a focus on energy, construction and infrastructure disputes, and Washington DC-based partners Daniel Salinas-Serrano, Dawn Yamane Hewett and Lucas Loviscek.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP combines a dominant commercial arbitration practice with a prominent investor-state offering. In terms of the latter, the group is particularly active on behalf of investors but also continues to record a growing volume of state-side mandates. Routinely acting under all major arbitral rules, the team is distinguished by its broad industry scope, which spans the aerospace, TMT, energy, life sciences, construction and financial services spheres, among others. From New York, John Gardiner heads the international litigation and arbitration group globally; he frequently represents major multinational corporations in commercial and investor-state proceedings. Julie Bédard, who operates between New York and São Paulo, heads the group for the Americas; she recently paired up with New York-based Jennifer Permesly to represent Brazil's Embraer in three multibillion-dollar arbitral proceedings against The Boeing Company. Timothy Nelson and Gregory Litt are also noted for international arbitration in New York. Lea Haber Kuck recently retired.

WilmerHale sets itself apart through its cross-office approach to international arbitration, which sees the US team act hand-in-hand with its premier London practice to provide seamless cross-border firepower in multi-jurisdictional disputes. Well weighted between commercial and investor-state cases, the group is particularly recognized for its expertise in IP-related proceedings, where it can lean on the wider firm's thriving IP disputes offering. Rachael Kent is vice-chair of the global department and has recently represented major corporations in commercial and investor-state arbitrations involving the life sciences, technology and infrastructure sectors, among others. Other recommended names include Danielle Morris, who is noted for her strong recent experience in investment-treaty arbitrations, and John Trenor, who paired up with the London office to handle a string of major multi-jurisdictional disputes over the past year. All named partners are based in Washington DC. John Pierce recently left the practice, while special counsel James Carter retired.

BakerHostetler acts for an array of multinational corporations, sovereign governments, private investors and  international organizations on the full range of commercial, investor-state and state-to-state disputes. The group is active worldwide, with an increasingly prominent Latin America offering steered by Washington DC-based Analia Gonzalez. From Washington DC, Mark Cymrot spearheads the overarching international arbitration department, while Houston-based Sashe Dimitroff heads the international commercial arbitration unit, and Kenneth Reisenfeld leads the investor-state practice. The group also draws on the senior expertise of international litigation head, Gonzalo Zeballos. The team was recently boosted by several junior arrivals, including associate Mary Kate Wagner, formerly Deputy Counsel with the Secretariat of the International Court of Arbitration of the ICC.

Baker McKenzie LLP's sharp focus on the energy, mining, infrastructure, financial institutions, and leisure and tourism industries pays dividends, with the practice routinely engaged to represent major multinational companies in those sectors. The group's strong global outlook is another key asset for clients, and it frequently staffs multi-jurisdictional proceedings with cross-office teams. New York-based Andrew Riccio co-chairs the North American international arbitration group and has a focus on energy-related matters. The group also draws on Houston-based senior counsel Brendan Cook, who has strong experience in the construction and energy spheres, and Dallas-based Eugenie Rogers, whose practice has an emphasis on cases concerning Europe and the Middle East. Kyle Olson left the firm in 2022.

Split between its Washington DC and New York platforms, Clifford Chance's US international arbitration team additionally utilizes the firm's extensive global footprint to frequently link up with specialists in London, Paris, Madrid and Hong Kong. The group continues to act on a growing volume of investor-state cases for major corporations–with a particular focus on Latin America-related work–while it also houses a robust commercial arbitration practice. In Washington DC, newly promoted partner José García Cueto is 'detail-oriented, strategic, objective and straightforward'; he is recommended for his experience in Latin America-related cases. New York-based Anthony Candido is noted for his track record in commercial arbitration.

Over the past year, Cooley LLP's increasingly prominent international arbitration practice added a raft of new clients, with Coinbase and Zoom recently joining longstanding clients such as Google and Jazz Pharmaceuticals. Aside from its ability to leverage the wider firm's institutional strengths in the technology and life sciences sectors, the group is also well equipped to handle disputes in the construction, professional services, and energy and resources spheres. New York-based Rachel Thorn fronts the group and acts on a diverse spread of commercial and investor-state cases. Next-generation partner Marc Suskin, also in New York, has a growing reputation for his broad arbitration focus.

Lawyers at Dechert LLP ‘operate in a result-oriented manner by targeting significant and striking points‘, according to clients. With a track record of success in both commercial and investor-state cases, the team acts for a diverse mix of corporate and sovereign clients in arbitral, enforcement and annulment proceedings. Arif H. Ali, who splits his practice between Washington DC and London, co-chairs the global group and has strong recent experience in the energy and natural resources, construction, hospitality, and internet governance spheres, among others. Alexandre de Gramont, who led on several state-side investment-related arbitrations over the past year, and associate David Attanasio are also noted in Washington DC.

DLA Piper LLP (US) scores highly with clients for its advice that ‘marries legal acumen to business sophistication‘. The growing practice recently added new clients across a diverse spread of sectors, including energy, financial services, and manufacturing. Global group co-chair Kate Brown de Vejar splits her time between New York and Mexico and acts on a broad range of commercial and investment arbitration cases; she successfully represented the Republic of Lithuania in an investment treaty case brought by a Russian fund in respect of the nationalization of Bankas Snoras. New York-based Kiera Gans is noted as ‘incredible in her focus on the client‘.

Eversheds Sutherland finds favor for its broad global outlook, with one satisfied client testifying that its 'resources stretch across the world'. The group is active in commercial, investment, and enforcement cases involving more than 50 countries worldwide, where it acts for a mix of companies, investors and sovereign states on disputes spanning all key economic sectors. From New York, Meriam Nazih Al-Rashid co-chairs the global international arbitration practice and also fronts the Latin America arbitration group; she continues to represent Honwood Services in proceedings arising from Poland’s Ministry of Environment’s treatment of its potash mining project. In Washington DC, cross-border litigation and international commercial arbitration head William O’Brien and key partner John Lomas 'provide practical solutions'.

Over the past year, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP handled a string of prominent arbitrations, with a strong pipeline of Venezuela-related investor-state disputes. Largely split between New York and Washington DC, the US practice also benefits from its ability to draw on well-staffed teams in London and Paris for support in multi-jurisdictional proceedings. Rahim Moloo steers the US international arbitration group from New York and combines strength in arbitral and enforcement matters. Moloo acted alongside New York's Lindsey Schmidt to represent two subsidiaries of Liberty Mutual in a claim against the Government of Venezuela, arising under the Spain-Venezuela and UK-Venezuela BITs. Washington DC-based of counsel Ankita Ritwik has growing experience across a range of commercial, investor-state and enforcement cases.

Noted for its 'excellent breadth of talent and experience in the investor-state arbitration space', Herbert Smith Freehills also handles a significant volume of high-stakes commercial arbitration cases. Forming a key part of the firm's thriving global arbitration practice, the New York-based team likewise leverages the wider firm's strong reputation in the energy and construction spheres. US practice head Christian Leathley additionally leads the Latin America group and is recognized for his expertise in both commercial and investment arbitration, particularly in the energy, infrastructure and mining sectors. Amal Bouchenaki, commended for her 'multilingual, multicultural and multi-jurisdictional expertise', also advises on an array of international commercial and investor-state cases.

Among Jones Day‘s key attributes, clients highlight its seamless cross-border approach to case management, with its attorneys ‘capable of dealing with disputes in every corner of the planet‘. The team represents corporate, investor and sovereign clients across a broad scope of commercial and investor-state cases, with notable experience in the construction, technology, pharmaceutical, aerospace, and energy and natural resources spheres. Key names in Washington DC include global disputes specialist Gregory Shumaker, who became firm managing partner in November 2022, and ‘superhero in investment arbitration‘ Melissa Gorsline, who is noted for her record in public international law and treaty-based disputes. In San Francisco, seasoned counsel Steven Smith and recently promoted partner Paul Hines are recommended.

In 2022, Latham & Watkins significantly strengthened its US international arbitration capability with the hire of new global department co-chair John Pierce. New York-based Pierce, who joined from WilmerHale, has broad experience in representing clients in institutional and ad hoc arbitrations seated in both common and civil law jurisdictions. Counsel Santiago Bejarano, also based in New York, is dual New York- and Colombia-qualified and is noted for his emphasis on Latin America-related work. The growing team also brings to bear extensive international resources, with the ability to work alongside arbitration specialists in Paris and London.

Attracting praise for its 'deep knowledge and experience in the field', Mayer Brown's international arbitration practice routinely represents corporations and governmental bodies before the main international arbitration institutions worldwide. The group's expansive domestic platform takes in seats in New York, Chicago, Houston, Washington DC, and Los Angeles, while it also benefits from the ability to link up with teams throughout the firm's global network. New York-based US group head Ted Howes maintains a broad practice, with an emphasis on proceedings related to international M&A, joint venture and distribution disputes. Houston's Michael Lennon has a focus on cases involving the energy, natural resources, and construction sectors.

Among its recent highlights, Paul Hastings LLP‘s international arbitration practice notched up strong activity in the political risk insurance sphere, where it acts for many leading multinational insurers. The group also utilized the wider firm’s strength in life sciences to advise on a steady stream of IP-related arbitral proceedings, particularly on behalf of Japan-based pharmaceutical companies. Global department head Joseph Profaizer steers the team from Washington DC and handles a mix of international litigation and arbitration cases for both corporate and sovereign entities. Igor Timofeyev, also in Washington DC, combines his international arbitration practice with strength in appellate litigation. DC-based Latin America arbitration specialist Jonathan Hamilton, formerly of White & Case LLP, joined the firm in March 2024.

In 2022, Reed Smith LLP bolstered its international arbitration practice in Miami–a key platform for its global team due to its strategic focus on Latin America–with the hire of a three-lawyer group from Akerman LLP. The new arrivals include new department vice-chair Francisco Rodriguez, who has a focus on cross-border disputes involving Latin America, as well as Sandra Millor and foreign legal consultant Gilberto Guerrero-Rocca. Also in Miami, high-profile specialist José Astigarraga is regarded by many as a leading light for Latin America-related arbitrations, while Cristina Cárdenas is noted for her experience in both commercial and investor-state matters. New York-based James Duffy, who is tri-qualified in New York, England and Wales, and the DIFC Courts, is also a key contact.

Lawyers at Squire Patton Boggs strike the right note with their 'excellent commercial awareness and strategy formulation'. A particularly robust performance on the investment treaty front saw the group add four new sovereign clients to its roster over the past year, including Peru and Romania. The firm also houses an active commercial arbitration practice. Stephen Anway, whose practice is divided between New York and Washington DC, co-chairs the global international dispute resolution group and is noted for his niche expertise in natural gas price review arbitrations. New York's Miriam Harwood co-heads the investment arbitration practice and maintains a focus on state-side representations. Carlos Guzmán Plascencia, also in New York, is a talented senior associate.

Driven out of Houston and New York, Vinson & Elkins LLP's international arbitration group shines in energy-related disputes, in line with its firm-wide strength. It also secures a steady stream of infrastructure development and construction-related matters. Global head of international disputes James Loftis is a former chief counsel for both the oil sector and the construction and engineering panels of the United Nations Compensation Commission; he splits his time between Houston and Dubai. New York-based Camilo Cardozo heads the international disputes practice for the Americas and is recognized for his expertise in Latin America-related cases. New York's José Sanchez, whose recent work spans energy, IP and construction matters, recently joined the partnership.

Winston & Strawn LLP‘s international arbitration practice is valued by clients for its ‘excellent substantive lawyers, who are also top-level case managers‘. In a significant development, the group boosted its Latin America expertise with the 2022 hire of Gustavo Membiela, who joined the firm’s nascent Miami office from Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP. The extensive national group also benefits from its ability to lean on international platforms in London and Paris to handle multi-jurisdictional matters in venues across Asia, Europe and Africa. In Chicago, Ricardo Ugarte brings to bear over thirty years of experience in handling commercial and investment arbitrations. In Houston, associate Imad Khan ‘always brings innovative solutions to the table‘.

Dentons' US-based international arbitration group is largely based in New York and additionally benefits from its ability to lean on the wider firm's platforms across the country, while also plugging into its extensive global practice. With experience across a wide scope of arbitral and enforcement matters, the team is particularly noted for its recent activity in the energy and natural resources, manufacturing, and aviation and aerospace spheres. In New York, US department head John Hay handles a mix of commercial and investment treaty disputes, while Anthony Ullman's broad practice spans IP, construction, health care and power generation-related cases, among others.

With a particularly prominent record in enforcement actions, K&L Gates also possesses significant experience in construction and commercial arbitrations. Additionally, the team continues to gain ground in the investor-state sphere, as evidenced by its recent work for AHG Industry in an ICSID arbitration against the Republic of Iraq concerning the expropriation of a cement plant and a pipe plant. New York-based Matthew Weldon fronts the international arbitration practice in the US and is particularly sought after for enforcement matters.

With a focus on construction, technology, life sciences and investment cases, Shearman & Sterling LLP's international arbitration group is equipped to manage both complex commercial and investment treaty arbitrations. In Washington DC, Christopher Ryan provides 'thoughtful, commercial and excellent advice' and routinely handles arbitral proceedings involving the construction, infrastructure, mining, and energy sectors. New York-based of counsel Henry Weisburg is noted for his broad practice scope, which spans investment, project and financial disputes, among others.