White & Case LLP‘s giant Latin America team incorporates a leading international arbitration group. The team’s cases span the entire region with a fine presence in both investor-state and commercial arbitration. The department has achieved further prominence in critical minerals disputes, including those involving Chile, Bolivia and Mexico. It has also made considerable headway in ESG-related cases and disputes linked to political disruption, and remains especially active in energy cases. The firm continues to represent a number of large multinationals in cases against Latin American states. Mexico City’s Rafael Liano Oddone is at the forefront of energy, construction, and infrastructure cases arising out of the policy shift in Mexico in recent years, and is further noted for investor-state cases against a range of Latin American countries. Miami and Houston-based Silvia Marchili handles energy, natural resources, and infrastructure cases, making a further impression in critical minerals disputes. Ecuadorian native Francisco Jijón has handled a series of major ICSID and UNCITRAL arbitrations in recent times. New York-based Ank Santens is active in Latin America-related ICSID arbitrations. Miami’s Estefanía San Juan was made partner in January 2023 and Mexico City-based Marièle Coulet-Diaz was promoted to the partnership in January 2024. Brazilian native Michelle Grando impresses at counsel level. However, in a notable departure, long-standing practice head Jonathan Hamilton has left the firm – along with counsels Alejandro Martínez de Hoz and Jonathan Ulrich. Named individuals are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.

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Key clients

  • Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec (CDPQ)
  • Grupo Energía de Bogotá
  • Honduras Próspera
  • Fernando Paiz Andrade and Anabella Schloesser de León de Paiz and Inversiones y Desarrollos Energéticos
  • Norfund and KLP Norfund Investments and Scatec
  • Webuild / Grupo Unidos por el Canal
  • Red Eagle Mining Corp
  • WorleyParsons International
  • Telefónica
  • Rutas de Lima
  • Zurich Insurance Company
  • MetLife
  • Orazul International España Holdings

Work highlights

  • Represented Honduras Próspera in an ICSID arbitration connected to the proposed free zones on the island of Roatán and in the area of La Ceiba, a major port area in the north of Honduras.
  • Acted for Rutas de Lima in three big-ticket disputes relating to a toll road concession in Peru caught up in a legal battle over the implications of broader corruption investigations involving the previous controlling shareholder.
  • Launched a major treaty arbitration against the Republic of Panama on behalf of Italian construction giant Webuild  in connection with the $5.5bn Panama Canal expansion project.

Lawyers

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.

Abby Cohen Smutny, Damien Nyer