Allen & Overy LLP is a go-to firm for Europe-related renewable energy investment disputes and the Paris office is a popular choice to represent investors in disputes against Spain, where it frequently cooperates with the firm’s Madrid office. Headed by Marie Stoyanov, the team also handles oil and gas and renewables construction cases in relation to various countries, notably Morocco. The Paris team, which regularly combines forces with colleagues in Dubai, London and Brussels, is also active in various other fields including aviation, telecoms and construction. It was recently retained by a South Asian state to handle a telecoms investment dispute. The team acts for state entities and private companies, including several of France’s blue-chip corporations, in investment and commercial arbitration.

Asafo & Co.’s arbitration practice reflects the firm’s strong focus on African activities. The team stands out for its ability to combine strong UK and French legal expertise, through practice head, English barrister and French avocat Jacob Grierson and very promising counsel Thomas Granier, who both also regularly act as arbitrators. The practice handles a strong commercial arbitration caseload, acting for state entities and investors alike in various areas (especially in the energy, mining and infrastructure sectors). The team can also act before French and UK judicial courts (recently handling a case before the UK’s highest appeals court) and is also well equipped to act in investment and treaty-related disputes, benefiting from Isabelle Rouche's public international law and sovereign issues expertise. She acts in arbitration disputes and also represents African states before the international law courts in several maritime and terrestrial boundaries disputes. The practice also handles non-African work and it was recently involved in a challenging case concerning a high-profile energy plant project undertaken that raised severe corruption allegations.

Emmanuelle Cabrol leads the team at Ashurst LLP, which recently gained new ICC mandates from several leading French companies as well as international corporations. The practice is often retained to handle nuclear equipment construction-related cases, particularly for key client Areva. The Paris team, which frequently works alongside its London colleagues, also regularly handles energy-related cases, including acting in a major renewables energy case. The practice also manages disputes in other fields besides energy, and often acts in matters relating to Africa and Europe.

Betto Perben Pradel Filhol has strong know-how in the field of international commercial arbitration and represents several top companies from the aeronautics industry, often dealing with supply, commercial contract and licence issues. The firm also has a strong presence in Africa and recently defended state-owned Gabon Oil Company in a major case. It is also acting on behalf of Sergei Pugachev in a multibillion-dollar arbitration case against Russia. It also handles award exequatur and mediation procedures. The practice is led by Jean-Georges Betto, who also takes on cases as arbitrator, and Dominique Perben, who contributes in the mediation field. Gaëlle Filhol departed to Pinsent Masons LLP in early 2023.

Clifford Chance is entrusted by the world’s largest corporations. The group has a strong reputation for handling a high number of strategic cases in the aviation sector and has recently expanded its client and case portfolio to other areas. The practice is notably handling several very large mining disputes in Africa and Brazil, including acting in one of the largest arbitration cases in the mining field in terms of financial amounts claimed. While the team is proficient in both investment and commercial arbitration, the commercial dispute caseload is particularly strong and includes various matters including a high-stakes case in the defence sector. The team also has particular know-how dealing with matters raising sensitive corruption issues and breaches to the international public order. Practice head Jason Fry and Simon Greenberg are both highly regarded. The team also includes counsels Karolina Rozycka, Marie-Isabelle Delleur and Alexis Foucard.

Clyde & Co LLP

Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP is a key name in the field of investment arbitration where the firm acts for states and state-owned entities. The practice handles a large caseload on behalf of Kazakhstan, acting in high-profile oil and gas-related disputes. It has also recently been retained by the Republic of the Congo to handle several landmark disputes concerning the mining sector. Cyprus and Romania are two other key clients for which the firm is handling renewable energy and various other cases. The team also represents states and companies in commercial disputes and exequatur cases. The Paris team regularly collaborates with the firm's London, New York and Washington offices. Co-heads of practice Geoffroy Lyonnet and Peter Wolrich have an extensive wealth of experience. Also involved are Rémy Lerner and Marie-Claire Argac, who was promoted to partner in 2022.

Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier regularly represents CAC 40 and international corporations in commercial arbitration. The practice is regularly retained to act in M&A, sales and supply-related disputes as well as public infrastructure and defence. The team's work has a wide geographical spread with disputes spread across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. It also shows strong ability in the field of exequatur awards. The practice is co-headed by Laurent Aynès and Carine Dupeyron.

A global leader in the field, Dechert LLP‘s Paris office contributes significantly to the firm’s impressive reputation in this area and has a sizeable practice. The team stands out for its ability to attract top-notch investment and commercial arbitration cases and has established itself as a go-to-firm for Latin America and Spanish-related issues. The firm manages an equally prominent caseload in relation to Eastern Europe; in recent work, the firm recently obtained the annulment of two arbitration awards by the Paris Court of Appeal for Poland on the basis that they are contrary to European law. The firm also has a significant practice acting for companies, with clients drawn from sectors including energy, construction, banking, mining, telecoms and life sciences. The Paris team is headed by Eduardo Silva Romero, who also co-chairs the firm’s global practice, and includes stellar practitioners in José Manuel García Represa and Philip Dunham. Claudia Annacker and Enikő Horváth are also prominent names in the field, handling arbitration and public international law work. Associate Audrey Caminades provides additional support.

Derains & Gharavi is an international arbitration boutique; its members are predominantly based in Paris but the firm also has a small office in Beirut and is particularly strong for Middle East-related cases. It is notably representing Iranian entities and banks in a series of large investment disputes linked to the banking sector. The firm also manages a large oil and gas caseload, notably linked to Libya. Egypt is also a client, while the firm’s activities also extend to many other parts of the world. It is acting for India before courts as well as defending Romania in several renewable energy cases. The team also regularly represents companies, wealthy individuals and entrepreneurs in commercial and investment disputes and also handles exequatur cases. The practice is co-headed by leading arbitrator Yves Derains; Hamid Gharavi, who is highly regarded in arbitration circles as a counsel and arbitrator; Bertrand Derains; Melanie van Leeuwen; Beirut-based Nada Sader; Sophia von Dewall and Emmanuel Foy.

DLA Piper demonstrates strong abilities in the investment and commercial arbitration realms and acts for state entities and companies. The team is able to handle complex and challenging issues, including representing the Republic of Moldova before the European Union Court of Justice (EUCJ) in a high-profile annulment proceeding questioning the court definition of an “investment”. It is particularly active in Africa-related cases, notably in Guinea and in RDC in matters concerning the telecoms and mining industries. The team also handles a wide variety of cases, touching upon various legal issues and industrial sectors. It regularly manages award exequatur and annulment proceedings before courts. The highly regarded Michael Ostrove, who also co-chairs the firm’s global practice, co-directs the Paris practice alongside Alexander Brabant. Théobald Naud is another key practitioner and counsels Maxime Desplats and Ophélie Divoy also contribute.

Eversheds Sutherland (France) LLP has been managing a large Iranian caseload on behalf of the Islamic Republic of Iran and National Iranian Oil Company for several years, with disputes concerning various expropriation and gas issues. Aside from its Iranian-related work, the Paris practice handles commercial and investment arbitration, representing states and private companies. The Paris team, which frequently corroborates with global colleagues, often acts in Africa and Middle East-related cases. It is appearing in several cases related to Libya and in matters concerning various other African countries (Senegal, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Gambia and RDC). The team deals with a wide range of issues and has a strong practice in the oil and gas sector. David Sellers and Wesley Pydiamah lead an experienced team, which also includes Gaëlle Le Quillec, Julien Fouret and counsel Nanette Pilkington.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP‘s Paris team is a key hub in the firm’s impressive international arbitration practice, which includes practitioners based in London, Germany, the US, Emirates and Asia. Following the closure of its Moscow office, the firm has set up a Russian desk in Paris and London to assist clients facing Russian-related disputes. The Paris office manages a large and high-profile caseload, comprising large disputes in the construction and energy sectors. It has recently been retained to advise on sensitive matters in relation to energy prices, notably in the LNG fields and is also managing high-stakes disputes concerning the rewenables energy market in Europe and Mexico. The group’s commercial and investment arbitration caseload encompasses matters dealing with various parts of the world, including a growing Francophone practice, notably in French Africa. The Paris office has also recently become the firm’s main hub for construction disputes in continental Europe. The firm also manages large exequatur cases before French courts. Leading corporations including French flagship companies are clients. The practice is headed by Noah Rubins and also includes Peter Turner and Christophe Seraglini. Other key names include Will Thomas, who divides his time between Paris and London, as well as counsels Alexandra van der Meulen, who handles public international law issues, and Vasuda Sinha.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP's Paris team brings together common law, civil law and Portuguese law capabilities. The group, which regularly combines forces with its London counterparts, is highly active in Africa, while also handling matters in relation to various other parts of the world (Brazil, Afghanistan and more recently Russia) and represents leading international companies, including several blue-chip French corporations. The team acts in commercial arbitration touching on various sectors, notably telecoms, technology, energy and mining. The practice regularly appears before French courts in award enforcement proceedings and has recently obtained several victories in that area. The practice is headed by Thierry Tomasi, Laurence Franc-Menget, as well as London and Paris-based Andrew Cannon. Of counsel Emily Fox also contributes.

Honlet Legum Arbitration is a new international boutique firm launched in January 2022 by Jean-Christophe Honlet and Barton Legum, who were formerly heads of practice at Dentons and who have extensive experience in the field. The duo cover both investment and commercial arbitration, predominantly acting for international companies. It manages a diverse caseload spanning energy, healthcare, mining and corporate issues.

Jones Day‘s Paris office has a strong track record handling cases with a nexus to the Middle East. The practice is notably handling a high-profile case pertaining to the Iraqi telecoms sector and managing several significant cases linked to Algeria and Saudi Arabia. It is also involved in matters concerning various other parts of the world including Europe and Argentina. Construction, as well as oil and gas are key industry sectors but the caseload is quite diverse and also includes a sensitive dispute over environmental liabilities in the defence sector. The practice is able to deal with both commercial and investment arbitration. The team is co-headed by Elie Kleiman and  Jean-Pierre Harb; they are supported by recently promoted of counsel Claire Pauly.

King & Spalding LLP's Paris team frequently works in tandem with the firm's London and US offices and handles commercial and investment arbitration. It is heavily involved in energy-related matters and acts in many oil and gas disputes, notably in relation to Africa and the Middle East. The practice is also representing numerous investors in some 22 investment arbitration disputes brought under the Energy Charter Treaty against Spain, Italy, Bulgaria and Romania, regarding renewables energy investments made in those countries. The team also takes on work in relation to other parts of the world, including North and South America, where it handles a  range of issues. It is notably involved in a considerable ICSID dispute concerning an Algerian real estate project. The practice is headed by James Castello, and includes the highly experienced Ken Fleuriet, who splits his time between Paris and Washington, Marc-Olivier Langlois and Laurent Jaeger. Of note, Agnès Bizard was promoted to counsel in 2022.

Headed by Fernando Mantilla-Serran, Latham & Watkins' Paris practice is particularly recommended for Latin American disputes. The team is involved in commercial and investment arbitration cases notably pertaining to Colombia - where it manages a large caseload, dealing with various issues spanning mining and environmental protection matters - Mexico and Brazil. The team, which represents states and companies, handles a range of issues covering various sectors including healthcare, entertainment, M&A and energy. The Paris team works in close cooperation with the firm’s US and Madrid offices. Associates Esperanza Barrón-Baratech and Diego Romero are two other key members.

Linklaters primarily manages commercial arbitration disputes while also handling investment ones. The Paris team, which combines forces with counterparts in London and other international offices, handles a diverse range of work, touching upon the mining, energy, healthcare, media and financing sectors, among others. Geographically, it often deals with matters relating to Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The practice acts for companies as well as for several African states and is currently managing several matters for Gabon and it recently obtained the setting aside of two sentences before French courts on corruption grounds. The team is headed by the firm’s global co-head of practice Roland Ziadé, who also sits as an arbitrator, and also includes Arnaud de La Cotardière and counsel Andrew Plump. Managing associate Maria Mitaeva is also noted.

Mayer Brown's Paris team is frequently involved in international matters and sits as part of the firm’s global practice. The Parisian group represents a prominent client base, comprising leading French and international companies and banks, as well as state entities and has a balanced international investment and commercial arbitration caseload. The team regularly manages mandates relating to Africa and the Middle East and also has a strong Latin American practice. Recently, the practice has been instructed to handle a significant mandate concerning infrastructure investments made in Lithuania. Clients are drawn from sectors including energy, construction and agriculture. The team is headed by the excellent Dany Khayat and also includes Alejandro López Ortiz and José Caicedo. Counsel William Ahern also contributes to this area.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP's Paris team plays a critical role in the wider firm's general arbitration offering, combining both civil and common law know-how. The practice manages significant commercial and investment arbitration cases and the team regularly handles complex disputes, involving simultaneous proceedings. The team has been increasingly sought after to handle parallel emergency arbitration and conservatory measures proceedings which are part of a core arbitration dispute. The firm has a strong energy caseload and has recently seen an uptick in work linked to the Ukraine war and Russian sanctions as well as energy transition issues. It is managing several large gas price review disputes. Construction and commercial cases also represent a good portion of the firm’s total caseload, and the firm has received several new instructions linked to commodity supply issues. Exequatur and award enforcement proceedings are also handled. Leading companies, including many oil and gas and mining corporations, are clients. The Paris practice is co-headed by Philippe Pinsolle, who is Geneva based but also heads the firm’s continental Europe practice, Isabelle Michou, Thomas Voisin, Michael Young, who divides his time between Paris and New York, and Alexander Leventhal, who was promoted to partner in 2022.

Reed Smith is frequently entrusted by international companies facing commercial arbitration disputes in the energy, construction and transport sectors and regularly acts in Africa-related matters. While the team regularly handles matters concerning oil and gas concession and infrastructure projects, its caseload is wide and also extends to various other industry sectors and geographic locations. The team also handles investment arbitration and award exequatur work. The practice is co-headed by Peter Rosher, who also sits as global chair of the firm’s practice, and Ana Atallah. Andrew Tetley is another key member.

Shearman & Sterling LLP‘s Paris-based team is fully integrated into the firm’s global practice, collaborating regularly with other international offices in managing cases. Led by Jennifer Younan, the team handles commercial and investment cases and is currently handling a series of strategic disputes on behalf of Ukraine, concerning Russian interests in the country (all matters were started before the 2022 war). The practice is also involved in a major gas construction dispute in relation to the Middle East. The team also regularly advises clients on international sanctions and international human rights issues. Counsels Alexander Marcopoulos and Elise Edson also contribute.

Squire Patton Boggs is the go-to-firm for large investment disputes, especially ICSID ones, or arbitration proceedings involving state entities. The firm frequently represents state entities including Latin American, Eastern European, African and Arabic states, and also acts for companies. The firm manages an impressive caseload, notably in the oil and gas field and is also involved in large disputes concerning the construction, agriculture and media sectors. The Paris team, which frequently combines forces with the firm’s international offices including New York, recently won a victory for Costa Rica. Headed by Carole Sportes, other key practitioners include José Ricardo Feris, John Adam, Sabrina Aïnouz, Jérôme Lehucher and Rostislav Pekař, who divides his time between Prague and Paris.

Dispute resolution boutique Teynier Pic has extensive experience in the arbitration field and regularly represents some of France’s leading companies, as well as many international groups. It often acts in ICC and commercial arbitration, spanning various industrial sectors: corporate, telecoms and construction for instance. The team has a strong involvement in matters relating to Africa and the Middle East and is also prominent in exequatur and award enforcement before French courts. Eric Teynier and Pierre Pic co-head the practice, which also includes Raphaël Kaminsky and Sara Nadeau-Séguin. Of note, the firm was joined at the end of 2022 by Danny Rifaat, who has a strong track record in work with a nexus to the Middle East.

The Paris team at international arbitration firm Three Crowns LLP works in close combination with its London, Washington and Singapore counterparts, making it ideally placed to handle a broad range of disputes. The practice manages both international investment and commercial arbitration and acts for a prominent client base comprising oil, gas and construction majors as well as several state entities. Its caseload regularly consists of large mandates, in relation to construction, mining as well as oil and gas sales, price review and exploration permits. The team also manages sensitive disputes concerning allegations of corruption and a wide range of cases touching upon various issues including corporate and commercial matters. Geographically, the team regularly handles work in connection with Africa and the Middle East, but also works on cases concerning Singapore and Latin America. The team is also familiar with exequatur proceedings and is routinely entrusted to handle this work. Georgios Petrochilos and Todd Wetmore have stellar reputations in the area. Also recommended are Kathryn Khamsi and Shaparak Saleh. Simon Elliot joined the Singapore office.

White & Case LLP has impressive capabilities and its expertise in construction disputes is unparalleled on the market. The firm handles an outstanding caseload in that area, representing companies and states in many of the world’s largest infrastructure projects: canal, port, bridge and highways as well many hydroelectric, nuclear and other energy-related construction facilities and infrastructures. In addition to handling construction work in the energy field, the team also manages a considerable amount of other types of energy-related disputes, including sensitive gas price review arbitrations. The team has a large global coverage and is active in disputes in Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia. It also handles a range of diverse commercial arbitration disputes including commercial partnerships and telecoms-related matters. The stellar team is headed by the legendary Michael Polkinghorne and includes high-profile names Christophe von Krause, Charles Nairac  and Andrew de Lotbinière McDougall, as well as the highly regarded John Willems, Nicolas Bouchardie, Kirsten Odynski, Elizabeth Oger-Gross, Noor Davies, Lucas De Ferrari and  Samy Markbaoui.