White & Case LLP hosts one of the market’s largest teams with about 60 Parisian-based lawyers which allow for the coverage of a full array of disputes. The practice, which manages both commercial and investment arbitration cases, is renowned worldwide for its second-to-none construction arbitration expertise which earns it mandates on high-stakes cases linked to many parts of the world and pertaining to canal, seaport, road and power plant projects. Its energy-related caseload is also prominent, spanning oil and gas disputes including dealing with several sensitive proceedings that are the result of wars and conflicts. The team’s involvement also encompasses many other industrial sectors such as telecoms or legal issues such as M&A. It has a strong presence in matters pertaining to Africa (Nigeria, Angola), and the Middle East (Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Libya). Michael Polkinghorne , Christophe von Krause and Charles Nairac  are at the helm of the practice. Andrew de Lotbinière McDougall , John Willems and Elizabeth Oger-Gross are particularly recommended, while Nicolas BouchardieKirsten Odynski,Noor DaviesLucas De Ferrari and Samy Markbaoui  are other strong elements.

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Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Very well organized, excellent service.'

  • ‘Knowledge, experience and innovative team.’

Key clients

  • Webuild
  • Federal Republic of Nigeria
  • Commisimpex
  • Iraq Telecom Limited
  • PT Ventures
  • Agility Public Warehousing Company K.S.C.P.
  • Ministry of Justice of Georgia
  • The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
  • Export Development Canada

Work highlights

  • Representing Grupo Unidos por el Canal S.A. (Panama) and its shareholders WeBuild in a dispute with the Panama Canal Authority relating to the US$5.5 billion Panama Canal expansion project.
  • Representing the Federal Republic of Nigeria in an ICSID arbitration case brought by South Korea’s national oil company (KNOC) and two of its Nigerian subsidiaries under the Nigeria-Korea bilateral investment treaty.
  • Successfully represented Iraq Telecom Limited in a complex shareholder dispute relating to Iraq Telecom’s investment of US$810 million in Korek, an Iraqi telecoms company based in the Kurdistan Region.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
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Leading partners
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Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Michael Polkinghorne, Christophe von Krause, Charles Nairac

Other key lawyers

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