Europe - France
4

Dispute resolution: International arbitration

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Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton

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Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton boasts a small but excellent practice in its Parisian office that often combines forces with the firm’s other offices including London. The Parisian team handles both commercial and investment arbitration, acting for companies and state entities. It has a strong caseload advising on Africa and the Middle East related issues, notably in the oil and gas sectors, but its involvement also extends to many other geographical and industry areas such as M&A and telecoms. It also regularly manages exequatur and award enforcement proceedings before French courts. The Paris practice is co-headed by the excellent pair made up of Jean-Yves Garaud  (whose litigation practice is also prominent) and Laurie Achtouk-Spivak .

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘A responsive, very professional team that provides very intelligent and high-quality strategic work.’

  • ‘Jean-Yves Garaud is very intelligent, an excellent strategist and a very good lawyer who adapts quickly to any change in situation.'

  • ‘Cleary has one of the strongest international arbitration teams. They are very knowledgeable, very responsive and simply the lawyers you want to be on your side in a dispute. They go the extra mile.’

  • ‘Laurie Achtouk-Spivak is an exceptional bright lawyer. She has an eye for details and knows the law from inside out. If you have Laurie on your side, you know you have a strong advantage. ’

  • ‘They are extremely well coordinated across their offices which allows them to bring in a tailored team. They also understand the importance of other factors that can impact a large international arbitration and are able to build a strong overarching strategy. ’

  • ‘Laurie Achtouk-Spivak is exceptional with oil and gas related disputes. She is a brilliant strategist and is clear in guiding multiple teams to the desired outcome.'

  • ‘Cleary Paris is an exceptional combination of commercial and investor-state arbitration expertise and first class client service. The lawyers in the department are masters of the art of arbitration, providing game-changing advice from the beginning of a dispute until the end. They are extremely bright, strategic and dedicated, always considering the strongest move.'

  • ‘Laurie Achtouk-Spivak for investor treaty work and Jean-Yves Garaud for commercial cases bring decades of experience and expertise.'

Key clients

  • Bank of Spain
  • Central Bank of Iraq
  • Telecom Italia International N.V and Telecom Italia S.p.A
  • The Federal Republic of Nigeria
  • The Republic of Côte d’Ivoire
  • The Republic of Iraq

Work highlights

  • Advised Central Bank of Iraq in connection with an ICC arbitration initiated by Cardno ME Limited (UAE) and specifically post-award proceedings to challenge the award on the grounds of fraud.
  • Representing the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire in an ICSID arbitration brought by Wise Solutions CDI, SA arising out of a dispute related to a 15-year concession contract for waste management services in Abidjan.
  • Representing Telecom Italia Finance S.A. and Telecom Italia S.p.A. in an ICC arbitration in Paris brought by various parties in the Opportunity group of companies..

Lawyers

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.

Jean-Yves Garaud, Laurie Achtouk-Spivak