Acting under the rules of all the major arbitral institutions, Baker Botts (UK) LLP‘s ’international arbitration team in London provides fantastic advice and support’. The team has notable strength in matters concerning the UK, US, Latin America, Middle East and Africa. It also houses sector experts in energy, natural resources, construction, finance, technology, and defence. Johannes Koepp specialises in international arbitration, both commercial and investor-state. The ‘exceptional’ Alejandro Escobar is an expert in public international law and arbitration, and Dorine Farah’s caseload includes investment-treaty arbitrations. Promoted to partner in March 2024, David Turner is an experienced international disputes practitioner.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Lawyers with excellent technical skills and a culture of collaboration.’

  • ‘One of the main strengths of the Baker Botts team is the combination of group and individual skills in different branches of law. The experience of its members in understanding complex cases, coupled with their ability to identify the core aspects of a dispute, make Baker Botts a firm to consider.’

  • ‘Baker Botts’ international arbitration team in London provides fantastic advice and support. The team is readily available, provides timely and detailed advice, and helps clients to achieve strategic positions in potential arbitration disputes.’

  • ‘Johannes Koepp and Dorine Farah are fantastic to work with on arbitration matters. Their advice is timely and detailed, and the strategic thinking is incredibly valuable in helping clients obtain their objectives.’

  • ‘Dorine Farah - excellent writer, legal thinker and strategist.’

  • ‘Johannes Koepp - deep strategic thinker and a conviction that anything less than the best is unacceptable for his clients.’

  • ‘Alejandro Escobar is exceptional. He responsibly directs the legal strategy of each case, making the best use of available resources to obtain the best possible results.’

  • ‘David Turner - deep knowledge of the facts and a logical guide through the chaos of facts/principles, which is typical for large cases.’

Key clients

  • Republic of Iraq
  • PJSC Mobile TeleSystems
  • Republic of Perú

Work highlights

  • Acting for the Republic of Iraq in a $1bn ICSID arbitration, brought by German investor AHG Industry GmbH & Co, in which an early exit from the arbitration was secured for Iraq by obtaining a summary dismissal on jurisdictional grounds under the ICSID arbitration rules.
  • Acting for MTS in a major Swedish-seated ICSID (Additional Facility) arbitration against the State of Turkmenistan under the Russia–Turkmenistan bilateral investment treaty.
  • Acting for the Republic of Perú in a $50m commercial arbitration, under the ICSID arbitration rules, which was brought by Colombian-owned highway concessionaire COVINCA, in relation to a concession contract to build a portion of the Pan–American Highway in the south of Perú.

Lawyers

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.

Johannes Koepp

Other key lawyers

Alejandro Escobar, Dorine Farah, David Turner, Valeriya Kirsey