Latin America - Latin America: International firms
Chaffetz Lindsey LLP
Chaffetz Lindsey LLP is a New York international disputes boutique with a significant focus on Latin America, covering both common law and civil law systems. The firm has developed greater expertise in Latin America cases in recent years through lateral hires at partner and associate level, and the firm has a number of fluent Spanish speakers, along with native Portuguese speakers to support its Brazil arbitration cases. Over the research period, it handled cases involving parties in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Venezuela, and Uruguay. Additionally, the firm is noted for its expertise in enforcement actions and its representation of numerous Latin American businesses, multinationals and financial sponsors. It has also represented clients in a series of Mexico-seated arbitrations. A co-founder of the firm, James Hosking is head of the international arbitration group and is closely associated with Latin America-related cases. Aníbal Sabater previously practised in Spain and is a veteran of the Latin America market. Caline Mouawad is another senior practitioner with a fine record in Latin America, while Yasmine Lahlou is noted for Brazil-related arbitrations – particularly in the construction, energy, and oil and gas fields. The senior team was expanded in early 2022, with the promotion of Gretta Walters; she has experience handling cases involving multiple jurisdictions in the region.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘One of the great virtues of the office is that they work as a team, very collaboratively. This adds a lot of value to the customer, makes them efficient and generates high performance.’
- ‘The firm is entirely focused on disputes and it tells; they live and breathe disputes in ways uncommon for international firms. A true team, everyone uses the best of their abilities in full and unreserved cooperation with the rest. They work with local counsel in much the same way, which is effective and efficient. From partners to associates and paralegals only the best work at CL.’
- ‘James Hosking: he knows the game from top to bottom and vice versa, combining vast knowledge of the field with tons of experience and a business eye. Best of the best. Anibal Sabater: a standout figure in Iberoamerica, particularly strong in construction and infrastructure disputes. The “go to” person for sound advice on disputes from business and high level matters to the most complex and granular procedural issues. Yasmine Lahlou: impressive career, always shining in whatever forum she is in thanks to the knowledge of the field and particularities of disputes at large.’
- ‘Very specialised and high quality services. The partners are knowledgeable and experienced and are directly involved in the cases. I would always recommend them to my clients for very complex arbitration and litigation.’
- ‘Yasmine Lahlou is a very talented partner with high experience in complex cases, both as arbitrator and counsel. She fully understands the clients needs and is a real strategist. Peter Chaffetz is the best US litigator I have came across.’
- ‘Peter Chaffetz: A strategist with great common sense and an excellent ability to manage customer expectations. James Hosking: Deep, dedicated and talented, with a permanent focus on identifying the best arguments to achieve the client's objectives. Aníbal Sabater: A well-rounded lawyer with the ability to litigate in English or Spanish, who excels in court.’
- ‘Excellent team, with extensive experience in various industries.’
- ‘Their individualised approach to disputes makes them stand out from their competitors.’
- ‘Vast experience and in-depth knowledge of arbitration and the energy industry. Very responsible and diligent team.’
- ‘Multicultural and full understanding of the electrical industry.’
Key clients
- AES Corporation
- APM Terminals Callao
- Clorox Spain
- Eletrobras CGT Eletrosul
- Enel
- Eskenazi family
- Grañá y Montero
- Hydria Participações e Investimentos
- IESA Oleo & Gas
- Nordex
- SPI Energy
- Stoneway Capital
- Sinohydro Costa Rica, Omega Construcciones, Desarrollos y Construcciones Urbanas and CAABSA Infraestructura
Work highlights
- Represented AES Corporation in an ICSID arbitration against Argentina arising out of interventions in the electricity generation market in breach of the US-Argentine BIT.
- Represented Clorox Spain in its UNCITRAL arbitration against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela under the Spain-Venezuela bilateral investment treaty.
- Represented a government-owned Brazilian electricity generator in a substantial European-seated arbitration against a Chinese contractor arising out of the design, construction and fit-out of a major power plant project.
Lawyers
Leading individuals
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
James Hosking