Debevoise & Plimpton LLP 'has one of the strongest arbitration teams in the market', covering a broad range of investment and commercial disputes involving multiple jurisdictions across Latin America. It has represented clients in some of the largest cases of recent years, securing significant wins involving large awards. The firm is noted for its experience representing investors in high-value cases against Latin American states; it has acted for clients in series of headline cases against the Government of Peru in particular. The practice also has an outstanding record in commercial arbitrations. Clients praise the group’s team work and collaboration, its abilities in the Spanish language, and its expertise in common and civil law. The global international arbitration practice is co-led by Catherine Amirfar and New York and London-based Mark Friedman, the latter having an outstanding record in Latin America investor-state and commercial disputes. Dietmar Prager is co-head of the Latin America practice group and has represented clients in some of the largest cases involving the region, including recently acting for Freeport-McMoRan and its affiliate Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde in an ICSID arbitration against the Government of Peru. Colombian national and native Spanish speaker Laura Sinisterra is a recently elected partner, having been promoted in 2022, and is dedicated to the Latin America market, including major cases in the mining, financial services and energy sectors. Ina Popova splits her time between New York and Paris, and has a primary focus on international arbitration and public international law cases in Latin America. London partners Samantha Rowe and Patrick Taylor are also active in Latin America cases. Julio Rivera Ríos is an experienced associate and is admitted to practice in both Mexico City and New York. The international arbitration team has a number of other well-regarded associates that are dedicated to the Latin America region. Named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Debevoise has one of the strongest arbitration teams in the market. They really work as a team, with a great sense of collaboration. They have full ability to work in English or Spanish, which is essential for disputes in Latin America, with professionals trained in Civil Law and Common Law. In addition, they show a great commitment to diversity.’
‘The partners are truly hands on. Dietmar Prager has great strategic thinking and is into all the details. Samantha Rowe is super-talented, demonstrates excellent client management skills and excels at cross-examination. Patrick Taylor demonstrates a wealth of experience in complex disputes and excellent practicality. Associate Sol Czerwonko is extremely talented and a rising star.'
‘I highly recommend Debevoise & Pimpleton's exceptional team for international arbitration, especially for matters concerning Latin America and Mexico. Their expertise in this field, coupled with their deep understanding of the region's legal landscape, makes them a top choice for complex disputes. In particular, Mark Friedman, Dietmar Prager, Sol Czerwonko, and Sebastian Briceño stand out for their outstanding skills and dedication to achieving favorable outcomes for their clients.’
‘Mark Friedman, mastermind but easy to work with. Dietmar Prager, practical and savvy. Sol Czerwonko, the best managing associate. Sebastian Briceño, keen research and questions.’’
‘Dietmar Prager is a thoughtful strategist and a trusted leader of his big team. He is very calm, thoughtful and prudent. At the same time he is very meticulous in forming the best strategies in winning the case and open and transparent to his client and his co-counsel. Excellent advocat both in written and oral! Excellent communicator with arbitrators. Laura Sinisterra is a very tenacious and enthusiastic counsel. She never leaves stones unturned in seeking the best strategies. She is an excellent communicator and very good at bridging communications with witnesses and experts. ’
'Ina Popova is also one of the best arbitration lawyers in the world. She has unmatched intelligence, which is accompanied by a great personality. Her work consistently receives praise and he has extraordinary skills in cross-examining witnesses and experts.
'Laura Sinisterra is a brilliant lawyer, extraordinarily intelligent, deeply committed to the cases she handles, and always prepared. Additionally, she is very charismatic and kind, and clients find it a pleasure to work with her.'
'Julio Rivera Rios already has enormous experience in arbitration and his work is very solid and stands out a lot. He is very intelligent and analytical. Furthermore, he is an excellent person and has a very friendly personality, which makes it very easy to work with him. In my opinion, his contribution to the team is enormous.'
Key clients
- Gramercy Funds Management
- Freeport-McMoRan
- Sumitomo Metal Mining
- Perenco Ecuador
- YPF
Work highlights
- Represented Gramercy Funds Management and an affiliate in a complete win on jurisdiction and merits in an UNCITRAL arbitration against the government of Peru under the US-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement.
- Acted for Freeport-McMoRan and its affiliate Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde, which operates the Cerro Verde mine in the Arequipa region of Peru, in an ICSID arbitration against the Government of Peru.
- Represented SMM Cerro Verde Netherlands, which holds a 21% interest in Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde, in an ICSID arbitration against the Government of Peru.
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.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
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.
Dietmar Prager, Mark Friedman, Catherine Amirfar