Baker Botts (UK) LLP‘s ’strong and well-integrated’ London team regularly acts in high-stakes investor-state disputes involving the telecoms, energy, mining and construction sectors; and it is particularly active in relation to the Middle East and Latin America. Johannes Koepp specialises in commercial and investor-state arbitrations; Alejandro Escobar represents governments, businesses and public entities in disputes over projects, concessions, investment contracts and investment protection treaties; and Dorine Farah is ‘a superb advocate’. The practice further comprises recently-promoted international disputes expert David Turner; and Latin American disputes practitioner Ernesto Féliz De Jesús, who ’has extensive knowledge of international law’.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘A strong and well-integrated team. Provides legal services at the highest level.’

  • ‘Delivers a broad and global vision of problems at all times, as well as strategies for their resolution.’

  • ‘A law firm that has excellent professionals, who are always ready to meet clients’ requirements and are extremely diligent in how they provide legal services. Very high-level professionals and extensive experience.’

  • ‘Johannes Koepp has a strong analytical mind and great communication skills.’

  • ‘Alejandro Escobar constantly demonstrates his extensive knowledge of international legislation, has great leadership abilities, and manages an appropriate approach to both problems and legal strategies.’

  • ‘Alejandro Escobar is a top-level professional - very analytical and with extensive experience. He stands out particularly in his interventions in hearings, helping clients obtain advantageous positions.’

  • ‘Dorine Farah is a superstar. She is a superb advocate and has excellent judgement.’

  • ‘Ernesto Féliz De Jesús has extensive knowledge of international law, and has great capacity for managing, processing, and analysing information.’

Key clients

  • Republic of Iraq
  • PJSC Mobile TeleSystems
  • Republic of Peru

Work highlights

  • Acting for the Republic of Iraq in a $1bn ICSID arbitration brought by German investor AHG Industry (in which the firm secured an early exit from the arbitration for Iraq by obtaining a summary dismissal on jurisdictional grounds).
  • Acting for MTS, one of Europe’s largest mobile telecoms network operators, 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 Peru in an investor-state case under the Peru–France BIT, concerning measures adopted by the Municipality of Lima in relation to the construction of a highway.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
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, Ernesto Féliz De Jesús