Additional Specialized Areas of Focus

Latin America Disputes

Their ability to learn fast, design the strategy and, in most cases, deliver results exceeding clients' expectations is remarkable.
— Chambers Latin America
They have a very good understanding of the way the law works in Latin American countries and the way that the governments think.
— Chambers USA
I am always very impressed with the team; these are very sophisticated lawyers.
— Chambers Latin America
I was really impressed by the depth of their knowledge. This is a specialised, boutique firm that I would recommend with my eyes closed for a New York law conflict.
— Chambers Latin America
Where Advocacy Meets Business

We know and are known in Latin America. Through decades of experience advising clients based in Latin America or investing there, we understand the local markets and legal systems. In the last three years alone, we have handled disputes in the region worth over $20 billion and involving fifteen different jurisdictions.

Our team includes lawyers who have practiced in the region, and are fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. We value our relationships with leading local law firms with whom we regularly act as co-counsel. Several of our lawyers act as arbitrators in high-profile Latin America-related disputes.

We are highly ranked in Chambers Latin America, Legal 500 Latin America, and Latinvex.

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

  • Brazilian company in a tripartite LCIA-administered arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules arising out of a joint operating agreement for an oil concession.  (Brazilian law; Paris seat)
  • Multinational owners of a power plant in Guatemala in a $1.2 billion ICC arbitration against a Chinese contractor concerning termination of an EPC contract and financing agreement. (New York law; Singapore seat)
  • Subsidiary of a European energy company in an ICC arbitration over termination of a Spanish contractor for a BOT hydro dam project in Costa Rica, also involving litigation in Panama. (New York law; Miami seat)
  • Owner of a combined cycle power plant in Guatemala in advising on claims arising out of installation of a defective turbine, including claims against the OEM as well as the installer.
  • US energy company in an ongoing ICSID arbitration against Argentina, seeking recovery for breaches of international law arising out of interference in the power generation and distribution markets.
  • European oil company against a multinational oil company in an ICC arbitration in a dispute arising out of a JOA for a concession in Venezuela.  (New York and Venezuelan law; New York seat)
  • Spanish fishing company in a PCA-administered UNCITRAL arbitration against Ecuador arising out of the state’s unlawful interference in the investor’s use of a tax free zone.  (International law; The Hague seat)
  • European energy company in an ICDR arbitration over tax allocations in a JV agreement for an LNG project in the Caribbean (and overseeing local litigation strategy).  (New York and Trinidad law; New York seat)
  • One of the world’s largest mining companies in a dispute with a leading investment bank following the sale of assets in Colombia, involving negotiations regarding more than 50 indemnification claims asserted by the buyer totaling $300 million, including complex environmental claims, tax matters, and ongoing Colombian litigation.
  • A Brazilian private equity firm in an ICC arbitration involving $100 million in dispute with one of the world’s largest hedge funds.  (Brazilian law; Sao Paulo seat)
  • Italian tunneling sub-contractor in a dispute arising out of a hydro power plant in Guatemala, including defeating a request to enjoin the arbitration in Miami federal court. (New York law; Miami seat)
  • Bolivian contractor in an ICDR-administered UNCITRAL arbitration over breaches of an EPC contract for the electrification of a major mining project in Chile. (Miami seat; Florida law)
  • US hedge fund in a AAA arbitration under the Commercial Rules arising out of a shareholder agreement for fiber optic cable projects in Mexico, with parallel US bankruptcy court proceedings. (New York law; New York seat)
  • Brazilian construction company in an ICC arbitration against the owner with combined claims of over $650 million arising out of the design and construction of a floating production vessel, addressing complex issues of illegality/corruption, construction law scheduling and damages, and status of completion of the vessel. (New York law; New York seat)
  • Multinational energy company to settle tax and regulatory indemnification claims following sale of a major Brazilian electricity distributor, including managing complex Brazilian accounting standards.
  • Brazilian client in an action in New York state court for the recognition and enforcement of a Brazilian judgment, including an application in New York federal court under Section 1782 to obtain discovery relating to the location of assets.

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