Vinson & Elkins LLP’s team is led by Houston and Dubai-based James Loftis (head of the firm's international disputes practice), and New York’s Camilo Cardozo, who heads up the Americas division of the practice. The firm has a particularly notable record in energy and infrastructure disputes, including LNG and natural gas-related arbitration. Additionally, it has extensive experience in both investment and commercial arbitration and demonstrates wide-ranging geographic coverage. The practice continues to be prominent in the market due to its headline role in representing the Panama Canal Authority in arbitrations connected to the Panama Canal expansion project. London's Nick Henchie is a leading figure in Latin America construction arbitrations, with fellow London-based partner Louise Woods also active on Latin America matters. Raised to the partnership in early 2022, New York’s José F Sanchez is an up-and-coming tri-lingual practitioner with a close focus on the Americas. The team also includes Houston counsel Peter Danysh who has extensive construction and energy disputes experience (both commercial and investor-state), and a particular focus on Latin America.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘José Sánchez and his team are characterised by their passionate work, with a global vision and without losing any detail of the case.’
‘José Sánchez is an excellent lawyer, fully committed to the cases he handles. He maintains a close relationship at work on a day-to-day basis with whoever is on the other side of the table.’
‘In particular, I have worked together with Jose Sanchez and he is a lawyer who demonstrates a lot of knowledge of the subject and of finding solutions that satisfy the client's needs. ‘His quick thinking and his capacity for synthesis to create convincing arguments, even in cases of great complexity.’
‘Great ability regarding Spanish language procedure with many of its Latino-speaking members.’

Key clients

Panama Canal Authority
XTO and Exxon Mobil Exploration Argentina
Offshore Exploration and Production
Tampico Beverages
New Fortress Energy
Upland Oil and Gas
Glenfarne Group
Bronte

Work highlights

Handled a series of arbitrations for the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) arising from the Panama Canal expansion project, against Grupo Unidos por el Canal (GUPC), a consortium of European and Panamanian companies.
Represented Upland Oil and Gas (Peru), and Upland Oil and Gas in a dispute arising from a licensing agreement executed between Upland and PeruPetro.
Represented Tampico Beverages in a dispute against Cerveceria Nacional Dominicana stemming from a license agreement between the parties for the manufacturing, promotion and sale of Tampico’s products in the Dominican Republic.