David Lindsey

Founding Partner

Direct
+1 212 257 6966
Fax
+1 212 257 6950
Where Advocacy Meets Business

For three decades, David Lindsey has helped define the field of international arbitration through advocacy, fact-finding and scholarship. He represents businesses and sovereigns worldwide in cross-border disputes under the rules of the ICDR, ICC, LCIA, and other top international arbitral institutions. David is currently on a sabbatical but continues to accept appointments as arbitrator and can be reached through his assistant by clicking here.

Experience

David’s practice covers a wide range of industries, with a focus on construction, infrastructure, and oil and gas disputes in Latin America. Working as both as an advocate and arbitrator, he handles numerous matters involving cross-border enforcement of awards. David’s flexible, collegial approach makes him an ideal partner for clients and co-counsel located anywhere in the world.

David acts both for and against foreign sovereigns concerning, among other things, expropriation of investments, fair and equitable treatment under public international law, breach of treaty obligations, breach of contract, determination of applicable law, U.S. racketeering laws, and the U.S. Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act.

Before forming Chaffetz Lindsey, David was Head of Clifford Chance’s International Arbitration practice for the Americas. He started his legal career at Steel Hector & Davis in 1987, and opened their London office in the late 1990s.

Representative Matters

  • Won a substantial award for a Latin American construction company from a state-owned oil company in connection with a major project involving alleged delays, engineering issues and design changes.
  • Represent several companies in arbitration to seek payment owed for the construction of large ships in Latin America in connection with expansion of the local oil and gas industry
  • Advising a power company in resolving various arbitrations and litigation proceedings against the Brazilian electricity regulator and other Brazilian government entities as part of restructuring the power company’s Brazil operations.
  • Obtained dismissal of a RICO action against The People’s Republic of China for lack of jurisdiction.
  • Represent a European-based multinational in bringing breach of warranty and fraud claims in an ICC arbitration under New York law arising out of a corporate acquisition.
  • Defending a U.S. power company against an instrumentality of an Indian state government in an ad hoc arbitration seated in India, and related Indian Supreme Court proceedings. The case involves allegations concerning the power company’s alleged obligation to modernize the distribution system of a power plant it had purchased.
  • Represented a Swiss pharmaceutical company in a Netherlands arbitration proceeding against a U.S pharmaceutical company, regarding alleged breaches of a licensing and development agreement.

Publications

  • International Arbitration in Latin America, Co-Editor (Kluwer).
  • An Overview Of The Law Applicable To Arbitrations Sited In New York,” International Arbitration in New York, Co-Author (Oxford University Press).

Credentials

Education

  • J.D., Florida State University College of Law, with honors
  • B.A., The University of Texas at Austin, with honors

Bar Admissions

  • New York
  • Florida
  • District of Columbia

Recognition

Chambers Global

  • Band 4 for International Arbitration

Chambers USA

  • Band 3 for International Arbitration

Chambers Latin America

  •  Band 3 for International Arbitration

Legal 500 USA

  • Hall of Fame in International Arbitration

Who’s Who Legal

  • Thought Leader in Arbitration
  • Expert in Arbitration
  • Expert in Litigation

The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers

The International Who’s Who of Commercial Arbitration

Latinvex 2018

  • One of Latin America’s Top 100 Lawyers

Global Arbitration Review

  • Top 45 arbitrators under 45

Subscribe to Updates

Stay informed of Chaffetz Lindsey’s updates, new articles, and events invitations by subscribing to our mailing list.

Subscribe