England - London • Dispute resolution
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
'Continuously demonstrating exceptional legal expertise in public international law', Debevoise & Plimpton LLP has substantial experience in treaty interpretation and enforcement work before international courts and tribunals. Its enviable track record also includes successfully acting in treaty cases before the International Court of Justice. The practice is additionally experienced in litigating PIL issues before domestic courts. Global Co-chair of the firm’s PIL group and former UK Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith KC, 'stands out'; Samantha Rowe is an international arbitration and PIL specialist; and Patrick Taylor's experience includes PIL, human rights and investment disputes throughout the world. At international counsel level, Aimee-Jane Lee focuses on PIL work, international treaties and international arbitrations, while Conway Blake is 'a fantastic legal strategist'. Associate Monika Hlavkova is also a key team member; and in a major boost to the practice, renowned advocate Jeffrey Sullivan KC joined as partner in July 2023 from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘A highly efficient, expert team that still has the human touch and works well with individuals at the Bar.’
‘Continuously demonstrating exceptional legal expertise in public international law and arbitration, as well as professionalism, innovative thinking, and a commitment to client service.'
'The Debevoise team, comprised of highly experienced and knowledgeable attorneys, distinguishes itself by consistently delivering valuable advice and strategic guidance. Working with them is always truly a pleasure.’
‘Lord Goldsmith KC is highly experienced, service-minded, and dedicated - it is always a pleasure to work with him.'
‘Lord Goldsmith KC's ability to analyse complex legal situations and find strong and effective legal solutions is remarkable.'
‘Lord Goldsmith KC stands out with his tailor-made advice and his vast wealth of knowledge and experience in arbitration and public international law, in particular as the former UK Attorney General, which makes him an invaluable asset on any team.'
- 'Conway Blake - clients are struck by his exceptional legal knowledge, attention to detail, and ability to think outside the box. He is also very practical and gives clear advice.'
- 'Not only is Conway Blake a fantastic legal strategist, he is also a great communicator and never too busy to answer a question or provide guidance.'
Key clients
- Shell International Trading and Shipping Company
- Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company
- Shell Petroleum
- The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria
- Republic of Azerbaijan
- The Center for Reproductive Rights
- Clooney Foundation
- The Nova Group Investments
- Hydro
- Costruzioni
Work highlights
- Acting for Shell International Trading and Shipping Company (STASCO) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) in major proceedings concerning an oil spill.
- Represented SPNV and SPDC (as claimants) against the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in an ICSID case that was brought under the Netherlands-Nigeria bilateral investment treaty (in relation to BIT protection breaches).
- Representing the Republic of Azerbaijan in a large and complex dispute with the Republic of Armenia before the International Court of Justice, arising under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
Lawyers
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Rising stars
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
Monika Hlavkova is an associate in the firm’s International Dispute Resolution Group. Her practice focuses on international arbitration and public international law. She is based in London, having also practised in Paris and Singapore. Ms. Hlavkova joined Debevoise in 2019 from a magic circle law firm. She has experience in investment and commercial arbitrations in a wide variety of sectors and regions and has represented investors and states in disputes under the UNCITRAL, ICSID, ICC, LCIA and SIAC Rules. Ms. Hlavkova also advises on issues of public international law, including on the firm’s pro bono mandates.
Leading individuals
Next Generation Partners
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
Conway Blake is a partner and member of the firm’s International Dispute Resolution Group, based in London. Dr. Blake represents corporate clients, sovereigns and international organisations on a range of contentious matters, particularly in investor-state arbitration, public international law disputes and commercial arbitrations governed by various substantive laws and conducted under the major arbitral rules. He is actively involved in the public international law and arbitration communities (including the YIAG, YPILG and YICCA). His court work focuses on disputes raising complex issues of private international law, applications related to arbitral proceedings, and cases addressing issues of corporate social responsibility. He has acted on cases at all levels of the court system, including before the UK Supreme Court, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council and the courts in Commonwealth jurisdictions. He appears as advocate in both court and arbitral proceedings. Dr. Blake has an active pro bono practice, and has represented clients on matters before the European Court of Human Rights, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights. He currently serves as a trustee, and an advisor on strategic litigation, for the Human Dignity Trust. He was awarded the Law Society’s Junior Lawyers Pro Bono Award for his work in this area.
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
Aimee-Jane Lee is an international counsel in the firm’s International Dispute Resolution Group and is based in the London office. Her practice focuses on international commercial arbitration and litigation, and public international law. Ms. Lee has advised private clients and states across multiple jurisdictions (notably in Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe) and a number of industries, including mining, construction, hospitality, advertising and, especially, energy. She has represented clients in arbitrations conducted under the auspices of the main institutions and governed by a variety of substantive and procedural legal systems. Ms. Lee advises on the international protection of investments (notably under bilateral investment treaties, the Energy Charter Treaty and investor-state contracts) and represents her clients in associated disputes. She has also advised extensively on maritime boundary issues, treaty drafting and interpretation, the interaction between public international law and domestic law, international sanctions and human rights. Following a six-month secondment to the legal department of Liberty, the human rights organisation, she has continued to work, pro bono, on human rights issues, notably in relation to proceedings before the European Court of Human Rights and submissions to the United Nations.
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
Samantha J. Rowe is a partner in the International Dispute Resolution and Business Integrity Groups whose practice focuses on international arbitration and public international law. Ms. Rowe has represented private clients and States across multiple jurisdictions (most notably, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe) in arbitrations governed by various substantive laws and conducted under the rules of the ICSID, UNCITRAL, SIAC, the ICC and the LCIA. She has experience across a broad range of industries and sectors, including energy, mining, construction, financial services and pharmaceuticals. She advises clients on a broad range of international law issues, including the international protection of investments, and represents her clients in associated disputes.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Lord Goldsmith KC