Led by former Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP lawyer and 'consummate professional' Jean Paul Dechamps, specialist international arbitration boutique Dechamps International Law continues to impress. The firm, which also has a major presence in Buenos Aires, has an exceptional record in both investor-state and commercial arbitrations, and frequently teams up with the London-based Deschamps former firm in big-ticket disputes. The team represents private investors, states and state agencies in major arbitrations, and now features two partners, one counsel and some 10 associates who are all dedicated to international arbitration. Among a number of headline cases, the firm is especially active in claims against Venezuela. Gustavo Topalian heads the Buenos Aires office and has a focus on the energy, mining and infrastructure sectors, having also previously worked at Freshfields. Also based in Buenos Aires, 'stand-out counsel' Pablo Jaroslavsky was promoted to his current position in May 2023, while associate Juan Ignacio González Mayer impresses clients and is one to watch.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The firm's team has three main characteristics; a high command of the international arbitration area, a team with willingness and creativity to provide solutions and a high ethical standard.'
‘In addition to mastering the area of international arbitration, they know very well the different cultures (Anglo-Saxon and Latin American) with which they apply their legal practice in a more effective and precise way.'
Key clients
- South32 SA Investments
- Glencore International
Work highlights
- Represented South32 Investments in an ICSID arbitration against Colombia under the United Kingdom-Colombia BIT and in connection with measures that affected the claimant’s investments in a mining project.
- Represented Latin American Regional Aviation Holding in an ICSID arbitration against Uruguay under the Panama-Uruguay BIT and in connection with measures that affected the claimant’s investment in a local airline.