International arbitration is big business for those firms with the experience and sophistication to access significant mandates. Latin America has become something a of focus for a significant number of firms, including those with teams in major arbitration centres such as New York, Washington DC, Miami, London and Paris. The economic and political volatility of the region continues to generate a steady pipeline of cross-border disputes, including commercial, investor-state and state-to-state arbitration. Given the frequency of investment cases against Latin American nations, many firms have sought to build strong connections to sovereign states, with a small number focusing exclusively on state representation.

Undoubtedly the "go-to" firm for State-side representations in the wake of an peerless track record of 48 (out of 49) positive outcomes, Arnold & Porter counts some 14 Latin American states among its clients; this perhaps unfairly overshadows its fine credentials as regards representing Latin American corporates in ICC arbitrations. The firm's sizeable arbitral group houses practitioners with government experience, who are members of ICSID's panel of arbitrators and/or have the linguistic and bicultural expertise to allow the team to conduct proceedings in Spanish. 30-year arbitral veteran Paolo Di Rosa founded the firm's international arbitration practice (which he subsequently led for 15 years) and has an exceptional record of success as a counsel; fully bilingual (Spanish/English) he has represented a dozen Latin American states in public international law matters and/or international litigation and arbitration. London partner Patricio Grané Labat is another deeply experienced figure in investor-state arbitration, including cases under the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), but also handles international commercial arbitration, public international law, and international trade matters. A January 2022 lateral hire, New York partner Mélida Hodgson impresses in both international commercial cases and investor-state arbitrations (particularly on behalf of Venezuela); she has a notable focus on the infrastructure construction, mining, transportation and energy sectors. The experienced and versatile Whitney Debevoise provides further senior level gravitas and Latin America experience in the arbitral sphere. Emerging talent Mallory Silberman has represented the governments of Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Panama, Peru and Venezuela, as well as representing investors in investor-State disputes against Argentina. Trilingual (English, French & Spanish) counsel Álvaro Nistal is also highly active in Latin America as part of his broader, global practice.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP has a large team of international arbitration specialists located across its international offices. The practice group evidences a healthy generational spread from prestigious senior figures and seasoned practitioners, through to younger partners, and a deep and specialised associate bench; much of Latin America-focused team is based in New York. The firm has an established record in investor-state and commercial disputes, often representing multinationals in cases against Latin American sovereigns or businesses; it also acts for Latin American entities in cases against entities outside of the region. Multilingual practitioner Dietmar Prager is co-chair of the Latin America practice group and is a recognised leader in international arbitration, notably in investor-state disputes, where he frequently represents investors. Hugely experienced, Mark Friedman is co-chair of the international dispute resolution practice and a preeminent figure in investor-state and commercial disputes; he led on the Perenco Ecuador case, obtaining a record $390m award from the Ecuadorian state. A member of the International Court for Arbitration of the ICC and ‘a very complete lawyer’, New York and Paris-qualified Ina Popova divides her time between the two cities and is particularly noted for energy, mining, and TMT sector disputes. Dual-qualified (Colombia/New York) and a native Spanish-speaker, Laura Sinisterra was raised to the partnership in July 2022; already an experienced practitioner in both investor-state and commercial arbitration, she is praised as being ‘an excellent interrogator of witnesses and experts’. Sinisterra and Prager teamed up to co-lead on both the Freeport-McMoRan & Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde, and SMM Cerro Verde Netherlands, cases against Peru – the former a $1bn+ case under the US-Peru FTA; the latter a $250m+ case under the Netherlands-Peru BIT. London-based Patrick Taylor has a global practice but is increasingly involved in Latin America matters; he has a certain focus on upstream oil and gas, energy and telecoms cases. Up-and-coming figure Guilherme Recena Costa  moved in house as head-of-legal for Latin America at Barrick Gold in October 2022; and senior partner David W Rivkin retired in Febraury 2023 after over 40 years at the firm - he now acts as an independent arbitrator.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s global standing in international arbitration is very much in evidence in Latin America, where it has an unrivalled record in investor-state arbitrations over recent years; it typically represents investors against states and state-owned entities. It has represented parties in some of the largest and most high-profile cases to involve the region, notably expropriation and nationalisation-related cases, including representing ConocoPhillips in a series of cases relating to the 2007 expropriation of three major oil investments in Venezuela under then-President Chávez. The firm is active in cases involving parties from across the region and has an array of native Spanish and Portuguese speakers in the team. ‘Brilliant senior practitioner’ Nigel Blackaby KC (in Washington DC) is co-head of the Latin America group alongside Noiana Marigo, who ‘directs the practice in Lat Am in an exceptional way’. Also in Washington DC, Caroline Richard (‘an outstanding international arbitration expert’) is another notable name in investor-state disputes, as is Lee Rovinescu, who was promoted to the partnership in 2020, and is highlighted for mining, energy and natural resources cases, as well as his expertise in damages. Blackaby and Richard (along with Americas practice head Elliot Friedman) are currently co-leading advice to Glencore in the first ever ICSID case against Colombia; while Marigo is acting for the same client in an UNCITRAL case against the Plurinational State of Bolivia. Counsel Natalia Zibibbo (an ‘excellent professional’); DC-based special legal consultant Maria Julia Milesi (who was promoted to counsel in May 2023); and senior associates Santiago Gatica (‘remarkable intelligence, legal knowledge and great capacity for work’), Hinda Rabkin and Madeline Snider (in Madrid), are also noted and further illustrate the practice group’s strength-in-depth. All named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise. Former counsel Alex Wilbraham has left the firm to become an independent arbitrator in January 2023.

King & Spalding LLP is a global leader in international arbitration with its Latin America-focused teams primarily located in the key strategic centres of New York, Miami and Houston – the practice having outgrown its original hydrocarbons focus in the latter office. The group has an outstanding record in investment and commercial arbitration, along with arbitration-related litigation before the courts. It has represented clients in some of the biggest, longest running and highest profile cases to involve parties from Latin America. This includes its ongoing pre-eminence in energy sector cases. Clients include some of the largest multinationals and investors with interests in Latin America, and the practice continues to represent Chevron in the long-running investment treaty arbitration against the Republic of Ecuador (seated in the Hague), concerning alleged environmental harm caused by historical oilfield operations. Made up of ‘world-class lawyers’, the practice group includes Argentine-born Roberto Aguirre Luzi, who has an exclusive focus Latin America disputes and co-heads the Latin America international arbitration group. Houston and Miami-based Craig Miles and senior arbitration specialist Doak Bishop, who are also both widely acclaimed for their Latin America arbitration expertise; as is Wade Coriell, who divides his time between Houston and Singapore and was recently appointed as the new global head of international arbitration. The immensely experienced Harry Burnett relocated to the firm’s new Miami office in mid-2022; a trilingual practitioner (English, Spanish & Portuguese), he is a ‘true Latin  American specialist’ and widely recognised as a leader in Latin America-related mandates. New York’s Edward Kehoe is another key practitioner, along with newly promoted partner Fernando Rodriguez-Cortina and Chicago-based Javier Rubinstein. New York and Washington DC-based Érica Franzetti and New York’s Samaa Haridi (‘an extremely hard-working and sharp lawyer’) also impress. All named individuals are based in Houston unless stated otherwise.

Three Crowns LLP is the largest specialist international arbitration firm in the world and has an outstanding record in Latin America. In April it announced the launch of a Madrid office (in autumn 2023) to further expand its handling of Spanish (and more generally European) clients. Leading Latin America international arbitration expert, the tri-qualified (England & Wales; New York and Spain) Carmen Martinez Lopez, is relocating from London, as is prominent Argentine-qualified special legal consultant, Agustin Sanz, from Washington DC. The firm has deep civil law credentials, language capabilities and cultural links to the region, which provide the basis for a thriving practice in both investor-state and commercial cases. Clients note that the team ‘understands the reality of the market’ and has a ‘pedigree that is second to none’. Indeed, Martínez is currently representing Chile in a $200m+ ICSID case filed by ISA under the Chile-Colombia FTA (related to the construction of the Cardones-Polpaico electricity transmission line in Chile); and co-leading advice to Sacyr on its $1bn+ investment treaty claim against Panama relating to the expansion of the Panama Canal, alongside the London-based Gaëtan Verhoosel KC (and Singapore's Simon Elliot). Verhoosel is a leading arbitral practitioner with a first class track record in the region, a standing reflected by his selection as chair in a $500m ICSID case brought by B-Mex (and others) against the United Mexican States. Tri-qualified (California, New York & Washington DC) Luke Sobota, a founding partner of the firm, is currently handling Chevron's long-running $9.5bn Permanent Court of Arbitration case against Ecuador, which as of late 2022 had reached the quantification of damages stage; and is also co-lead on the defence of ConocoPhillips' $8bn ICSID award against Venezuela in the face of the latter's attempts to annul or otherwise stay the decision. As the foregoing suggests, the firm has represented various oil and gas majors in headline cases against Latin American states, and has also been engaged by sovereign entities themselves. It is now experiencing further growth in intra-regional cases and disputes conducted solely in Spanish, and is also gaining  prominence in environmental disputes and cases related to sovereign states’ efforts to capture windfall profits from the mining sector. Multilingual and dual-qualified (Brazil/New York) special legal consultant Laura França Pereira (Washington DC) is also noted.

Highlighted for its ‘very deep bench and industry knowledge’ White & Case LLP has a very sizeable Latin America-focused international arbitration team (totalling some 100 professionals) that handes an impressive mix of commercial, construction and investment arbitration engagements. The team is also noted for its expertise in enforcement proceedings, while its catalogue of recent cases includes appointments in the energy, resources, financial services, technology and transportation sectors. Indeed, the energy sector – particularly renewables – has been a notably active area for the practice, while in sovereign matters, it has acted for clients in a series of  investment arbitrations against Colombia, Guatemala, Ecuador, and Peru (among other jurisdictions). The team maintains members across it Washington DC, New York, Miami, Houston Mexico City, London and Madrid offices. Rafael Llano Oddone leads the international arbitration group in Mexico City, while Ecuadorian Francisco Jijón has impressed in a series of ICSID and UNCITRAL arbitrations involving Latin American parties. Houston and Miami-based Silvia Marchili is building a name for herself in investor-state arbitrations; and New York’s Jorge Mattamouros has a focus on Portuguese-speaking markets, especially Brazil’s oil and gas sector. Miami’s Estefanía San Juan was elected to the partnership in January 2023, with Ignacio Madalena becoming a local partner in Madrid the same month. Michelle Grando impresses at counsel level, as does Mexico City’s Marièle Coulet-Diaz. All named individuals are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise. Since publication, former practice co-head Jonathan Hamilton has left the firm – effective as of March 2024 – as has Alejandro Martínez de Hoz, as of April 2024.

Covington & Burling LLP has a long history with Latin America and has a fine record in investment and commercial arbitration. The firm frequently represents multinationals and Latin American businesses in investor-state arbitration against Latin American sovereigns, along with handling the enforcement of awards against states. It is further noted for post-M&A disputes, and has a mix of common and civil law trained lawyers, many of which are native Spanish or Portuguese speakers; the team has handled a number of proceedings solely in Spanish or Portuguese. It has a particular profile as regards the technology, construction and engineering, mining and resources, and infrastructure sectors. Qualified in Argentina, New York and Washington DC (as well as the US District Court, Southern District of New York), senior figure Miguel López Forastier (‘excellent judgment’, a ‘consummate leader’ and ‘also a skilled trial attorney’) is co-director of the firm’s global dispute resolution practice and an experienced Latin America arbitration specialist, who has extensive experience in representing multinationals against sovereign states. ‘Outstanding’ and ‘extraordinary’ New York partner Nicole Duclos (‘staggering depth and breadth of knowledge’) is chair of the Latin America group and has over 20 years’ experience in international arbitration, notably in the construction, engineering and infrastructure sectors. New York’s Erin Thomas is also recognised for construction and infrastructure disputes in Latin America. Of counsel José Arvelo, who has particular knowledge of the oil and gas sector; and Clovis Treviño (‘possesses trial and witness exam skills far beyond her years’), who was promoted to partner in October 2023, are both bilingual Spanish and English speakers. Dual-qualified (Venezuela/New York) associate Ricardo Chirinos is a licensed special legal consultant in Washington DC, where all named individuals are based in unless otherwise stated.

Dechert LLP’s highly reputed multi-office international arbitration has a distinct emphasis on Latin America, with more than half of its cases involving a Latin American entity. Although globally recognised for its expertise in investment arbitration, the firm is also highly active in commercial arbitrations in the region, and is also noted for its experience in the enforcement of arbitration awards. It defends a large number of Latin American states in investment and commercial arbitrations, along with representing state entities as claimants. It also acts for an array of investors in cases against Latin American sovereigns. Energy, mining, construction, transport, telecoms and food are key sectors for the team. Many within the group are natives of Latin American states or are fluent Spanish or Portuguese speakers. The Latin America focused team is primarily located in Paris, where dual-qualified (Colombia/Paris) Eduardo Silva Romero is co-chair of the global international arbitration practice; he has ‘indisputable experience in commercial and investment arbitration’ and focuses primarily on arbitration involving states and state-owned entities. José Manuel García Represa is another experienced figure in the team, typically handling a large case load; both he and Silva are particularly noted for their expertise in damage quantification. Senior associate Catalina Echeverri Gallego (‘a great professional’, ‘100% analytical and methodical’) is another Latin America specialist, while associates Javier Echeverri Díaz and Santiago Soto Garcia are also highlighted by clients. All named individuals are based in Paris. Antonio Gordillo left the firm in July 2023.

Foley Hoag LLP has an impressive background in defending Latin American states and state-owned entities in international arbitration proceedings, including state-to-state cases, investment arbitration and commercial disputes. The firm has a significant market share of sovereign state engagements in the arbitral sphere and it continues to gain and represent new Latin American sovereign clients in the area. It is also noted for its expertise in public international law. The firm launched its dedicated Latin America practice in 2021 with Clara Brillembourg (‘a brilliant leader’, ‘very effective and persuasive’) and Kenneth Figueroa (‘truly exceptional’) at the helm; both have extensive connections to Latin American states and outstanding track records in big-ticket cases. The team also includes an array of fluent Spanish and Portuguese speakers, some of whom were trained and qualified in Latin American jurisdictions. An ‘indispensable member of the team’ Christina Beharry has ‘a deep mastery of quantum and damages issues’; she, along with dual-qualified (Nicaragua/New York) Ofilio Mayorga, who is based in New York and was raised to the partnership in August 2022; and counsel Gisela Paris (who is admitted in Argentina, New York and Washington DC), are all key figures in the Latin America focused arbitration practice group. Paris-based global co-chair of international litigation and arbitration Diana Paraguacuto-Mahéo provides further senior-level support; while head of the firm’s Africa arbitration practice, Tafadzwa Pasipanodya, also works on Latin America where clients highlight her ‘formidable legal mind’. All named individuals are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.

A genuinely global player in international arbitration, Herbert Smith Freehills' Latin America group is spread across multiple offices - including Frankfurt, Hong Kong and Tokyo - but is primarily led from New York, London, Madrid and Paris. Some 20-lawyers' strong, the practice houses an array of specialists with a sharp focus on the region, many of whom are bilingual and/or native Spanish/Portuguese speakers, and either dual-qualified or licensed to practice in Latin American jurisdictions. With impressive capabilities in both common and civil law, the practice also demonstrates a balance between investment and commercial arbitration, and represents big-name multinationals along with a group of sovereign states. Its headline cases include public international law matters and investment treaty arbitration, with energy and infrastructure being core areas of expertise for the team, along with telecoms and financial services. Heading up the Latin America Group, the deeply experienced Christian Leathley (‘brilliant advocacy and technical legal acumen’) is very much the motor of the arbitral practice and leads the team on the majority of its Latin America disputes' mandates; he relocated to the London office -from New York- in August 2023, but remains US head of international arbitration. Paris-based Thierry Tomasi (‘an excellent lawyer, certainly one of the best within the firm’) brings senior level Portuguese capabilities to the group; he has a fine record in Brazil-related cases. Further senior fire-power is provided by multilingual, Paris and California-qualified Amal Bouchenaki in the New York office, which also houses the bulk of the Latin America-focused associate team - namely seniors Benjamin Guthrie and (Ecuadorian-qualified) Daniela Páez-Salgado, along with Argentina-qualified Lucila Marchini and Chilean-qualified Carlos Hafemann who arrived as a visiting attorney in August 2022.

Latham & Watkins LLP continues to impress the market with its notable experience in representing both Latin American states and private parties in investment treaty arbitrations; this includes a series of cases for the Republic of Colombia involving ICSID arbitrations brought by claimants relating to legislative, administrative and judicial measures introduced by the government – particularly as regards environmental and community matters. The firm is also noted for commercial arbitrations and enforcement proceedings with Paris-based global co-chair of the international arbitration practice, Fernando Mantilla-Serrano, who ‘stands out for his quick grasp of the essence of the matters’ and has long been a senior name in the region, leading on the vast majority of the firm’s Latin America cases. The hire of John V H Pierce as global co-head of the arbitration practice -from WilmerHale– in mid-2022, gives the practice considerable additional heft; and while not solely focused on the region, he does handle Latin America-related mandates. Pierce is based in New York, as is dual qualified (Colombia/New York) counsel Santiago Bejarano (‘always up-to-speed on the advice and willing to answer questions’) who is a key team member on many of the practice’s Latin America arbitration engagements; as is London-based Samuel Pape, who was elected to the partnership in January 2023. Paris associates Esperanza Barrón-Baratech (a Spanish national), Hugo Varenne and Diego Romero (who is qualified in Colombia, New York and Paris) are also key members of the team. Eugenie Caroit moved to Campos Mello Advogados in cooperation with DLA Piper as Of Counsel in mid-2023.

Providing ‘world class service’ Reed Smith LLP’s leading international arbitration practice is co-led by specialist Francisco Rivero, who also heads up the firm-wide Latin America group from the Houston office; while Francisco Rodriguez and José Astigarraga (‘incomparable’, ‘a brilliant professional with impressive experience’) lead the Latin America arbitration team. Astigarraga was previously head of the global arbitration group (until January 2022), and Rodriguez joined the firm from Akerman LLP in May 2022. (The firm also hired Gilberto Guerrero-Rocca – who has extensive experience in the arbitral matters in the Lat Am region – as a consultant the same month). The group features a large number of Latin America international arbitration experts, many of which are dual-qualified in the US and in a Latin American state. The group is particularly recognised for disputes in the energy and infrastructure sectors, along with construction and engineering, and petrochemicals. It is also noted for investor-state disputes, counts mining is another growth area, and has enjoyed a steady pipeline of high-value commercial cases – especially in Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chile and Brazil. Qualified in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, DC and Virginia, foreign legal consultant Felipe Berer has twenty years’ experience and is particularly active with a range of Brazilian clients. Additional experienced practitioners of note include both Edward Mullins and Sandra Millor – the latter an additional May 2022 recruit from Akerman LLP. Counsel Eduardo De la Peña Bernal is ‘exceptional’, and ‘has an endless capacity for work’. All named individuals are based in Miami unless stated otherwise. Former partner Cristina Cárdenas left the firm in late-2023.

Baker Botts L.L.P. has a rich background in Latin America international arbitration. With a strong background in public international law cases, the firm has also built out a thriving commercial arbitration practice. The firm is noted for its ongoing representation of a sovereign state in Latin America as well as a number of state-owned enterprises. It has also built a foreign investor client base, along with further oil and gas businesses in Brazil. Much of the practice centres on oil and gas, power, electricity generation and renewables, along with some political risk matters for US property developers. Alejandro Escobar leads the firm’s public international law practice from London, where he has a lengthy track record in sovereign cases. Houston’s Edward Schorr is also noted for cases related to Brazil, while New York partner Andrew Behrman provides further senior firepower. London senior associate Ernesto Féliz De Jesús is a public international law specialist with a focus on Latin America. The practice was further strengthened with the hires of former Sidley Austin LLP international arbitration partner Jennifer Haworth McCandless and managing associate, María Carolina Durán (as special counsel) to the firm’s Washington DC office in August 2023.

Chaffetz Lindsey LLP is a New York international disputes boutique with a significant focus on Latin America, covering both common law and civil law systems. The firm has developed greater expertise in Latin America cases in recent years through lateral hires at partner and associate level, and the firm has a number of fluent Spanish speakers, along with native Portuguese speakers to support its Brazil arbitration cases. Over the research period, it handled cases involving parties in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Venezuela, and Uruguay. Additionally, the firm is noted for its expertise in enforcement actions and its representation of numerous Latin American businesses, multinationals and financial sponsors. It has also represented clients in a series of Mexico-seated arbitrations. A co-founder of the firm, James Hosking is head of the international arbitration group and is closely associated with Latin America-related cases. Aníbal Sabater previously practised in Spain and is a veteran of the Latin America market. Caline Mouawad is another senior practitioner with a fine record in Latin America, while Yasmine Lahlou is noted for Brazil-related arbitrations – particularly in the construction, energy, and oil and gas fields. The senior team was expanded in early 2022, with the promotion of Gretta Walters; she has experience handling cases involving multiple jurisdictions in the region.

The Latin America practice at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton has an all-round market-leading reputation in which the international arbitration team plays a significant part. The group has landed roles in some of the largest investment and commercial arbitrations to involve Latin American entities, including a significant number of engagements from sovereign states such as the Republic of Argentina and a range of state-owned companies. The team has a fine record in oil and gas (including LNG), and mining and metals disputes. Ari MacKinnon is a real force in international arbitration and has a primary focus on Latin America, conducting matters in both English and Spanish. Jeffrey Rosenthal and Carmine Boccuzzi are also prominent international arbitration specialists with experience of Latin America disputes. Counsel Boaz Morag  is also rated by clients. At associate level, Katie Gonzalez works primarily on Latin America-related matters, representing both sovereign and private entities.

Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP has an impressive track record in representing sovereigns and state-owned companies in big-ticket international arbitrations, including both investment treaty and commercial cases; it has, moreover, long maintained a policy of only representing sovereign states in investment arbitrations. As a result it's client roster in the region is replete with sovereigns, including Argentina, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela, along with the state-owned Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). The Latin America-facing international arbitration group is spread across its New York, Washington DC, Mexico City, Bogota and Buenos Aires offices. On the investment-treaty disputes front, the firm has handled some of the largest cases before ICSID, while on the commercial arbitrations side, it has continued to develop its presence, including cases before the Inter-American Commercial Arbitration Commission (IACAC). New York partner George Kahale is chairman of the firm and head of the international arbitration group, having led teams on numerous and sizeable cases involving Latin America. Managing partner of the Washington DC office Claudia Frutos-Peterson is a dedicated Latin America specialist, having represented an impressive number of sovereign states in investor-state arbitrations. Buenos Aires and New York-based Fernando Tupa and Bogota and New York-based Elisa Botero, are also key members of the team, particularly in investor-state disputes.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP has an exceptional record in bulge-bracket investment and commercial arbitrations, and is further recognised for its expertise in the global enforcement of arbitration awards. It has represented multinationals in a long list of cases against Latin American states, including cases involving expropriation, particularly the Government of Venezuela and Venezuelan state-entities. More recently, it has also launched cases on behalf of clients against the Republic of Colombia and the United Mexican States. New York partner Rahim Moloo has emerged as a prominent name in Latin America arbitration, acting for a range of US-based, European and Asian multinationals, along with a number of Latin American businesses. Lindsey Schmidt is also an active lead on Latin America cases, and Charline Yim is increasingly co-leading relevant cases with Moloo.

Hogan Lovells US LLP has a large number of international arbitration practitioners that are either dedicated to Latin America or have a primary focus on the region. Furthermore, it has an impressive background in the specialty and has developed a thriving investor-state practice, where it represents an even split of sovereigns and private entities. Commercial arbitrations are also a forte for the team, while infrastructure and energy cases are key segments for the practice. New York partner Oliver Armas is global head of international arbitration, fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, and frequently acts in cases involving Latin America. Richard Lorenzo is regional managing partner for the Americas and is a recognised leader in international arbitration, having spent long periods in Latin America itself. Daniel González is the former global head of international arbitration and also has an impressive background in Latin America cases. Puerto Rico born Maria Ramirez is fully bilingual in Spanish and English, and a genuine Latin America specialist; she has represented clients in cases involving multiple Latin American jurisdictions. The team can also call on seasoned international arbitration practitioner Luis Enrique Graham in the firm’s Mexico office. All named individuals are based in Miami unless stated otherwise.

Sidley Austin LLP remains active in both investor-state and commercial arbitrations, most notably in the energy, construction, financial services, mining and real estate sectors. In state representation, the firm has acted for the Republic of Peru in a series of cases, and also has successfully defended the Republic of Colombia. New York and Singapore-based partner Tai-Heng Cheng has represented a number of Asian clients in cases against Latin American states, while New York partner Simon Navarro handles a mix of commercial and investor-state work, particularly in representing Spanish and European clients in energy disputes against Latin American entities. Former (international arbitration) senior managing associate María Carolina Durán and counsel Courtney Hikawa left the firm in August and October 2023, respectively.

Squire Patton Boggs  represents a number of sovereigns and government-owned entities in major cases. Clients include the Republics of Ecuador, Peru, Panama and Costa Rica, with recent mandates including defence of the latter in a Costa Rica-Spain BIT case brought by a Spanish investor. The team is also notably active in energy and transportation-related cases. Although probably best-known for its investor-state experience, the firm is a recognised force in representing state-owned companies and private companies in commercial arbitrations. Raúl Mañón heads the international dispute resolution practice in Miami and is the key figure for Latin America-related arbitrations, along with John Adam and Jose Feris (both of them in Paris), who are senior investment and commercial arbitration specialists. Singapore partner Rodman Bundy is a leading name in public international law and has represented Latin American governments in a number of state-to-state cases.

Vinson & Elkins LLP’s team is led by Houston and Dubai-based James Loftis (head of the firm's international disputes practice), and New York’s Camilo Cardozo, who heads up the Americas division of the practice. The firm has a particularly notable record in energy and infrastructure disputes, including LNG and natural gas-related arbitration. Additionally, it has extensive experience in both investment and commercial arbitration and demonstrates wide-ranging geographic coverage. The practice continues to be prominent in the market due to its headline role in representing the Panama Canal Authority in arbitrations connected to the Panama Canal expansion project. London's Nick Henchie is a leading figure in Latin America construction arbitrations, with fellow London-based partner Louise Woods also active on Latin America matters. Raised to the partnership in early 2022, New York’s José F Sanchez is an up-and-coming tri-lingual practitioner with a close focus on the Americas. The team also includes Houston counsel Peter Danysh who has extensive construction and energy disputes experience (both commercial and investor-state), and a particular focus on Latin America.

Allen & Overy LLP has expanded its Latin America arbitration practice in recent years. The firm has attracted attention for its experience in both investment and commercial arbitration, notably disputes in the energy, infrastructure, mining and life-sciences sectors. It represents a range of corporates and sovereign clients, such as the Republic of Panama and Republic of Peru, and has acted for clients in a growing number of investor-state arbitrations. Gaela Gehring Flores frequently represents private companies and sovereign states in Latin America-related arbitrations. Patrick Pearsall is head of the Americas international arbitration practice, and is noted for investment arbitration and public international law. David Ingle was promoted to senior counsel in May 2022 and has proven to be a key team member in multiple Latin America cases, especially in the energy and extractive industries. Associate Brian Vaca has dual nationality (Ecuador/US); a fluent Spanish and English speaker he is dual-qualified in Florida and the District of Colombia. All are based in Washington DC. In May 2023 the firm announced its merger with Shearman & Sterling LLP to form A&O Shearman; the realisation of this combination remains in process and it is not yet possible to gauge its full impact. Since publication, Gehring Flores has left the firm - effective as of April 2024.

Clifford Chance‘s connections to multinationals and their Latin American subsidiaries, along with Latin American corporates, provides the basis for a thriving international arbitration practice. The group routinely handles cases from Mexico down to Argentina, and demonstrates an especially strong record in energy and construction cases. It frequently represents clients in international arbitrations relating to EPC and RPC contracts, oil and gas pipelines, power plants, mining and concession contracts. Active on cases throughout the region (including those in the construction, infrastructure, energy, and oil and gas sectors), Washington DC-based José García Cueto has all the hallmarks of an emerging star. While only promoted to the partnership in mid-2022, he is already something of a client favourite (‘a rising star’, ‘a crack’, ‘outstanding work’) and is highlighted for his management of audiences, strategy design and anticipation of his counterparts’ movements. Key associate support in the ‘young but experienced team’, comes from multilingual Paris-based senior Marie-Isabelle Delleur, and intermediates Florencia Bohl and Hernan Chiriboga in DC. The team was strengthened further in September 2023 with the hire of associate Pablo Mori - formerly of GST.

Cuatrecasas’ prominence in Latin America-related international arbitration field stems from its commitment and track record in Spain, coupled with its growing presence in Latin America itself. Unlike many other international firms, it has a sizeable team of international arbitration specialists based in Latin America. With a steady influx of investment and commercial arbitration engagements, the team is best known for energy, infrastructure and construction cases. It has represented parties in a series of headline infrastructure disputes. Madrid partner Alfonso Iglesia leads the international arbitration group and is hugely experienced in Latin America-related arbitrations, including those involving Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Panama, Ecuador and Dominican Republic; he has acted in a series of recent ICSID and ICC cases. Santiago partner Cristián Conejero is a senior figure in the team and is noted for construction arbitrations. Alberto Zuleta is another experienced arbitration expert in Bogota along with René Irra in Mexico City and Domingo Rivarola in Lima. Madrid partners Alberto Fortún and Manuel Franco are also active in Latin America cases, both noted for construction, infrastructure and energy disputes. Raised to the partnership in April 2022, Uruguay-qualified Juan Manuel Rey (in the Santiago office), is also noted.

 

DLA Piper LLP (US) has rapidly expanded its Latin America-facing international arbitration practice in recent years; co-global chairs Michael Ostrove and Kate Brown de Vejar sit in Paris and in Mexico City, respectively - with the latter particularly known for her work in the energy and infrastructure sectors. The firm has achieved ever greater prominence in the Mexico market, particularly in the energy sector (notably power and renewables). It has also seen further growth in tech, life sciences and pharmaceutical disputes. The team has a strong mix of investment and commercial arbitration engagements, and represents a number of big-name multinationals. Mexico City co-practice head Gabriela Álvarez Ávila , whose past experience incudes seven years as senior counsel at ICSID, is another key practitioner. Bogota's director of international arbitration, Ricardo Alarcón, is also noted. Former Mexico-office senior partner Gerardo Lozano Alarcón left the firm in November 2022 to become a sole arbitrator and counsel; former Buenos Aires-based senior associate Sabrina Ramos also departed - in her case to undertake an LLM in Stanford.

GST LLP is a Miami and Washington DC-based dispute resolution firm, majoring in Latin America-related international arbitration. It has an established presence in investor-state disputes, representing a number of sovereign states and state-owned companies -including the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Guatemala and Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) – over the years. Washington DC partner Ignacio Torterola has an established record in ICSID cases, among others, covering a wide range of sectors including mining and construction; he has also represented sovereign states such as Argentina, Bolivia and Ecuador. Argentina qualified Diego Gosis is prominent in Latin America investor-state disputes, acting for both sovereigns and investors. Managing partner Quinn Smith is another investor-state disputes specialist, with many of his cases involving Latin America. Licensed to practice in New York and Brazil, Mauricio Gomm Santos specialises in Brazil-related cases. In Washington DC, counsel Katherine Sanoja and of counsel Carmine Pascuzzo, provide further senior-level expertise. Named individuals are based in Miami unless stated otherwise. Former counsel Pablo Mori left the firm in September 2023.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP is a dispute resolution powerhouse with a hugely impressive record in Latin America international arbitration. The firm represents a range of US-based multinationals and individuals, along with a number of Latin American entities in cross-border disputes. The firm is noted for representing investors, shareholders and other individuals with interests in companies that are involved in arbitration proceedings. David Orta is chair of the US and Latin America international arbitration practices, dividing his time between Washington DC, New York and Miami; he has earned accolades in a wide variety of contentious matters, including investor-state and commercial arbitration proceedings and the enforcement of arbitral awards. Daniel Salinas-Serrano is another key figure with a major focus on Latin America investor-state and commercial arbitrations. Dawn Yamane Hewett and Lucas Loviscek provide further senior firepower, along with Paris-based Alexander Leventhal.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP remains noted for high-value commercial arbitration and investment arbitration, including post-M&A disputes, along with energy, infrastructure and mining cases. It has a fine record in investor-state cases connected to expropriation, and under free trade agreements, BITs, and multilateral trade agreements. It has also impressed by representing a number of major Latin American businesses and other multinationals in big-ticket cases. Well-known market figure Julie Bédard leads the Americas international litigation and arbitration group, and has an extensive recent record in Latin America-related cases. Jennifer Permesly is another senior arbitration specialist with a significant focus on Latin America; and Timothy Nelson has also led teams on key Latin America mandates. The practice group has a deep associate bench including the experienced Spanish-speaker, Amanda Raymond Kalantirsky, and Brazilian nationals Caio Pazinato and Rafael Bittencourt, all of whom participate in Latin America-related cases.

B. Cremades & Asociados is a pioneer in the Spanish market in the international arbitration field. It has decades of experience in investor-state arbitration thanks to hugely experienced founding partner Bernardo Cremades. The Madrid-based firm represents an impressive variety of Spanish and Latin American businesses primarily in commercial arbitrations (a segment where it is very much to the fore) as well as handling high-value construction disputes. Energy, oil and gas, and infrastructure cases are also a forte for the team. Bernardo Cremades Jr is another prominent figure who now leads the majority of the firm’s Latin America-related cases. Ángel Tejada and José López Useros  provide further senior-level support.

Baker McKenzie LLP’s international arbitration team is largely located in Latin America itself, primarily in Chile, Peru, Colombia and Argentina. The firm has are fine reputation in investment and commercial arbitration, notably in the energy, infrastructure and construction fields. Santiago partner Rodrigo Diaz de Valdes represents both state and private sector entities in cross border arbitrations, including those in the mining, energy and construction sectors. Lima’s Maria Del Carmen Tovar has represented the Peruvian state and state-entities in a series of investment arbitrations. Bogota partner Claudia Benavides Galvís is global chair of the firm’s dispute resolution group and an experienced figure in investment and commercial arbitrations, particularly for private companies. Luis Dates in Buenos Aires and Caracas-based Eugenio Hernández-Bretón are also key names.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner has a track record of representing clients in Latin America investor-state and commercial arbitrations. It has acted for investors in a series of cases against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela under bilateral investment treaties (BITs), and has also defended sovereign states in other investor-state cases. Miami partner and global co-leader of the international arbitration group Pedro Martinez-Fraga has a big reputation in the market and Miami managing partner Ryan Reetz is also a recognised force in Latin America investor-state and commercial arbitrations.

Clyde & Co has an impressive heritage in international arbitration with Latin America being very much part of its international focus. Among its array of international arbitration specialists is Ricardo Lewandowski, a dual-qualified Brazilian and English lawyer, who divides his time between London, Miami and São Paulo; his arbitration cases include construction, engineering, energy, mining, and insurance disputes. The wider team operates in similar fields, with Neil Beresford noted for Colombia professional liability claims. Mexico City’s Vicente Bañuelos Rizo is another experienced figure in the arbitration space as both party counsel and arbitrator.

Dechamps International Law is an international arbitration boutique, established in London in November 2017, and with an additional office in Buenos Aires, launched in 2019. It now has two partners and 12 associates, all fluent Spanish and English speakers, and at the time of research was handling more than a dozen investment treaty cases and a similar number of commercial arbitrations. In particular, the team has represented a series of big-name multinationals in investment arbitrations against Latin American states. London based founding partner Jean Paul Dechamps began his legal career in Argentina, before working for a number of top international law firms, including Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, and then launching his own firm. Buenos Aires partner Gustavo Topalian provides further senior-level expertise. Associate Pablo Jaroslavsky also impresses.

Diaz Reus International Law Firm & Alliance is headquartered in Miami and has a major focus on Latin America. The full-service law firm has a big reputation in contentious matters, primarily litigation and white-collar crime, but is also a recognised player in international arbitration, particularly the enforcement of arbitration awards. The firm has a lengthy track record representing clients in cross-border disputes involving Venezuela, although it also enjoys extensive geographic coverage of the Latin America region. Global managing partner Michael Diaz; senior dispute resolution specialist Gary Davidson who is qualified in Arizona, Florida and the District of Columbia (and who has a significant focus on Venezuela); and Marta Colomar-Garcia (who is qualified in Florida, New York, DC and Spain), are the key figures. With considerable arbitral experience, Brant Hadaway - formerly a partner at the firm for 12 years - returned as of counsel in November 2022.

Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP has an established background in investor-state disputes under ICSID, UNCITRAL and Permanent Court of Arbitration rules, and demonstrates solid experience acting for and against states in cases brought under bilateral investment treaties (BITs) and other frameworks such as the Energy Charter Treaty. The Latin America-focused team also has a strong presence in commercial arbitration. Diego Durán De La Vega chairs the Latin America disputes practice and James Boykin is chair of the investment treaty arbitration group; as these positions would suggest, both are deeply experienced practitioners. Rémy Gerbay, who became head of the firm's Investor-State arbitration practice in March 2023, is another key figure for contentious matters in Latin America; former co-chair of the Latin America disputes team Luis O’Naghten joined Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP the same month. Since publication, and in a significant coup for the practice, the firm hired Gaela Gehring Flores -formerly of Allen & Overy LLP- as global co-head of its international arbitration practice

Shearman & Sterling LLP‘s long history in Latin America, coupled with its global standing in international arbitration, provides a solid platform for its Latin America arbitration practice. The firm is particularly noted for construction cases, along with energy, mining and telecoms, and -more generally- has a fine record in both investment treaty and commercial arbitrations; it is also recognised for its expertise in the enforcement of arbitral awards. Washington DC and New York-based Christopher Ryan is an experienced international arbitration specialist with a significant focus on Latin America. Washington DC associate Anna Stockamore is another key figure in the team. In May 2023 the firm announced its merger with Allen & Overy LLP to form A&O Shearman; the realisation of this combination remains in process and it is not yet possible to gauge its full impact.

 

 

Uría Menéndez has an impressive mix of investment and commercial arbitrations, along with public international law cases. Much of the team is located in the Madrid, Barcelona and Lisbon offices, but the practice also benefits from the expertise and resources of associated firm, Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría, which has offices in in Chile, Colombia and Peru. The group frequently represents Europe-based multinationals (particularly those from the Iberian peninsula) in investment treaty cases against Latin American states and commercial arbitrations against Latin American businesses. José Miguel Fatás became head of the practice in January 2023, following the promotion of Jesús Remón Peñalver to the position of senior partner. Gabriel Bottini  is an experienced name in investment arbitration, including Latin America cases; he also frequently sits as an arbitrator. Álvaro López de Argumedo is another key figure. All named partners are based in Madrid.

Volterra Fietta is at the forefront of public international law and investment treaty arbitration cases. It is also recognised for its expertise in the broader international arbitration sphere, where it represents a balanced mix of sovereign states and foreign investors. The firm has helped a number of foreign investors to land significant ICSID awards over recent years. In public international law, it has also represented Latin American states in International Court of Justice cases against other Latin American nations. ‘Outstanding’ founding partner Robert Volterra has true stature in the public international law and investment treaty arbitration spheres. Peter Flint and Gunjan Sharma provide additional senior-level expertise. However, Graham Coop  joined Pinsent Masons LLP as co-head of investor-state arbitration in March 2023.

Winston & Strawn LLP significantly augmented its Latin America credentials with the launch of a sizeable Miami office in 2022, which included the hire of Latin America disputes specialist Gustavo Membiela from Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP; he has a background in Latin America-related arbitrations and investigations. Membiela has joined an established team of professionals such as Chicago partner Ricardo Ugarte, who can draw on over 30 years’ experience and has a fine record in both commercial and investor-state arbitration. The wider team has an established presence in mining, oil and gas, energy, financial services, technology, agriculture and hospitality cases, among other sectors. New York partner Marcelo Blackburn is also noted for energy, and oil and gas cases involving Latin American states.