Europe - France

White & Case LLP

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White & Case LLP has outstanding credentials in the international arbitration field and houses a sizeable team of arbitration specialists. The firm's expertise is pre-eminent in the construction field where it acts for companies and state entities in some of the world’s largest disputes (including the Panama Canal case). The team also manages high-profile commercial and investment disputes relating to a range of industries and geographical regions. It is particularly active in Africa and the Middle East where it notably advises on high-stake telecoms and energy matters (including price review cases). State entities and leading corporations are clients. Among its recent developments, the team notably won a remarkable $1bn sentence in an Iraqi telecoms case and has been mandated to handle sensitive matters dealing with fraud allegations, Russian sanctions and new cryptocurrencies industry cases. The practice also handles strategic exequatur cases before French and foreign judicial courts. Arbitration specialists Michael Polkinghorne and Christophe von Krause are key names. Charles NairacAndrew de Lotbinière McDougall, John WillemsNicolas BouchardieKirsten OdynskiElizabeth Oger-GrossNoor DaviesLucas De Ferrari and  Samy Markbaoui are also highly regarded.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Andrew de Lotbinière McDougall is very very sharp and spot on. He is a great strategist and manages and sets the pace of dispute resolution skillfully. Working with him is not only a pleasure but an insurance that the case will play out in his favour.'

  • ‘They are excellent and very meticulous in the following-up of files. They are trustworthy and ready for any surprise’.

  • ‘Elizabeth Oger Gross and Michael Polkinghorne demonstrate great attention to detail and promptness in responses’.

  • ‘A leading law firm in international arbitration in the construction field. They evaluate all the issues at stake and make a balanced proposal to the client.’

  • ‘Charles Nairac is an industry veteran. His strategic insight on how to formulate defense is invaluable. Lucas de Ferrari is a rising star who promotes teamwork.’

Key clients

  • WeBuild
  • Jan De Nul N.V.
  • Grupo Unidos por el Canal
  • Iraq Telecom Limited
  • Commisimpex
  • Ministry of Justice of Georgia
  • PT Ventures
  • Federal Republic of Nigeria
  • The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
  • Export Development Canada

Work highlights

  • Representing Grupo Unidos por el Canal S.A. (Panama) and its shareholders WeBuild, Sacyr S.A. and Jan De Nul N.V. in a dispute with the Panama Canal Authority relating to the $ 5.5 billion Panama Canal expansion project.
  • Successfully represented Iraq Telecom Limited in a complex shareholder dispute relating to Iraq Telecom’s investment of $810 million in Korek, an Iraqi telecoms company based in the Kurdistan Region.
  • Representing the Federal Republic of Nigeria in two ICC arbitrations brought by Nigerian energy company Sunrise Power and Transmission Company.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Michael Polkinghorne, Christophe von Krause

Other key lawyers

Christophe von Krause, Charles Nairac, Andrew de Lotbinière McDougall, John Willems, Nicolas Bouchardie, Kirsten Odynski, Elizabeth Oger-Gross, Noor Davies, Lucas de Ferrari, Samy Markbaoui