
The international arbitration practice at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP handles Latin American disputes arising out of a variety of industries, including energy, oil and gas and aerospace, with a notably strong presence in Brazil. The team is led by New York/São Paulo-based Julie Bédard, head of the Americas, who is renowned for handling bet-the-company arbitrations. Bédard is fluent in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish and has represented clients before a variety of bodies, including ICSID. Timothy Nelson, based in New York, has vast experience representing clients in disputes involving contracts, international trusts and corporate law. Jennifer Permesly, a Spanish speaker, focuses much of her practice on Latin American jurisdictions, with significant experience in the construction, mining and energy sectors and claims often involving sovereigns or state-owned entities. Amanda Raymond Kalantirsky in New York stands out at the associate level for her involvement in arbitrations conducted under ICC, ICDR, LCIA and other rules.
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Key clients
- Embraer
- Ovintiv and Encana International Finance (Bermuda)
- Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
- Compañía Cervecerías Unidas
- Inversiones Piuranas
Work highlights
Represented Embraer (Embraer), a Brazilian aerospace conglomerate that produces commercial, military, executive and agricultural aircraft and provides aeronautical services, and its related entities, which were party to three multibillion dollar international arbitration proceedings against The Boeing Company (Boeing) and its related entities before the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR).
Represented North American energy company Ovintiv and its affiliate Encana International Finance (Bermuda) Ltd., regarding their right to recover several hundred million dollars in connection with the expropriation of an oil field in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
Instructed by a leading multinational oil and gas corporation on a bet-the-company ICC arbitration in relation to the client’s preferential rights under the terms of a joint operating agreement to realise a booming offshore oil prospect in South America.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Amanda Raymond Kalantirsky
Practice head
Julie Bédard
Other key lawyers
Timothy Nelson; Jennifer Permesly; Amanda Raymon Kalantirsky