Satisfied clients hail Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP as ‘the best law firm in international arbitration’. Forming a significant part of its global international arbitration practice, the firm’s US offering is split between Washington DC and New York and is active worldwide, with a focus on the Americas. Recognized internationally for its record in ICSID cases, with an emphasis on major investor-state disputes, the group is also well-versed in high-stakes commercial arbitrations. In Washington DC, Latin America practice co-head Nigel Blackaby draws on extensive hands-on experience—he has acted as counsel or arbitrator in over 100 arbitrations—and is particularly revered for energy and mining disputes. Also in DC, Caroline Richard is noted for her focus on investor-state cases, with recent involvement in major multi-jurisdictional matters. From New York, Buenos Aires- and New York-qualified Noiana Marigo co-heads the global international arbitration team and the Latin America practice and is sought after for work across the Americas; she recently teamed up with Blackaby and Richard to represent Glencore on a landmark ICSID arbitration claim against Colombia. New York’s Elliot Friedman fronts the international arbitration group for the Americas and is representing ConocoPhillips in its ongoing attempts to enforce its mammoth ICSID award against Venezuela. Up-and-coming arbitration specialist Lee Rovinescu and Thomas Walsh are also recommended in New York.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘A top-tier team, with significant expertise and experience at all levels. I’ve worked with many teams from various firms in different countries and, without a doubt, Freshfields is the best. It has a rare combination of top-down strategy design and bottom-up execution skills, which results in impeccable work.’
‘Best in the game. Best associates and partners in international arbitration for LatAm. Top talent from top firms in LatAm end up in Freshfields via US universities, this makes even their junior and mid-level associates relatively experienced and well-acquainted with the region. 100% bilingual all around.’
‘We highlight partners Noiana Marigo and Nigel Blackaby; counsel Natalia Zibibbo; and associates Sofia Klot, Santiago Gatica, Ezequiel Vetulli and Rodrigo Millan. Attention to detail is superb, the grasping of technical and valuation issues is unparalleled.’
‘Freshfields is just the best law firm in international arbitration. No questions. Freshfields organizes the best work teams for each case according to the client's needs, synchronizing the roles, profiles and assignments of each team member in an extraordinary way.’
‘Each member of the team is an expert in his or her field and Freshfields leverages the best of their skills for the benefit of the client, under the extraordinary leadership of the partner in charge (please refer particularly to Nigel Blackaby, a lead counsel like no other).’
‘Natalia Zibibbo is the team leader that any client dreams for in international arbitration. Her leadership and the way she is able to structure the strategy for each proceeding and her absolute commitment to the client, working with the highest discipline, make her stands out as one of the best in the market.’
- ‘Santiago Gatica is a rising star lawyer in international arbitration. His full availability and awesome working capacity with extraordinary simplicity for the client are some of his most valuable qualities.’
- ‘The people working at the firm are aware of the client’s needs and assign lawyers that can meet those needs in terms of language and familiarity with the business.’
Key clients
- ConocoPhillips Company
- Exxon Mobil
- Glencore
- Aéroports de Paris
- BASF
- Grupo Agroinsumos
- South32
- Occidental
- Eco Oro Minerals
- Smurfit Kappa
- Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA)
- Latin American Regional Aviation Holding
- IC Power
- Kenon Holdings
- Abertis Infraestructuras
- BuzzFeed
- VINCI
- The AES Corporation
- Lufthansa
- J&F Investimentos
- LSEG
- FTSE International
- Pampa Energia
- Chevron Corporation
- Equinor (Statoil)
Work highlights
- Successfully represented ConocoPhillips before the US District Court in DC, where it secured a ruling that recognized and enforced an ICSID award obtained in 2019 against Venezuela—now valued at $13bn.
- Represented Buzzfeed in two multimillion-dollar mass AAA arbitrations brought by 91 shareholders.
- Successfully represented the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) in a dispute with Cürex Index Data Systems arising from a breach-of-contract claim.
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 partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Elliot Friedman
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP
Noiana Marigo
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP
Caroline Richard
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLPNext Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Lee Rovinescu
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLPPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Elliot Friedman