Widely considered to rank among the leading arbitration groups worldwide, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP’s US offering is a key contender for major, headline-grabbing cases across the globe. Equally adept at commercial and investor-state work, the New York-based team is routinely involved in landmark matters—across a comprehensive range of industries—on behalf of both corporate and state clients. Department co-chair Catherine Amirfar brings to bear extensive experience in high-stakes, public international law disputes and successfully represented Italian investors in ICSID proceedings against Albania arising out of the claimants’ investments in a hydroelectric plant and a media company. Fellow co-head Mark W. Friedman additionally co-leads the mining and natural resources practice; he paired up with increasingly prominent arbitration specialist Ina Popova to represent Gramercy Funds Management in a complete win on jurisdiction and merits in an UNCITRAL arbitration against the government of Peru under the US-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA). Other experienced names include Latin America practice co-head Dietmar Prager, who ‘stands out for his decisiveness and sharp intellect’; and Natalie Reid, who co-chairs both the public international law group and the Caribbean practice group. Talented up-and-coming names include next-generation partner Laura Sinisterra. David Rivkin has retired. Floriane Lavaud has left the firm.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Debevoise has the best international arbitration team in the world. The team is comprised of many partners who are leading practitioners in the field. Partners and senior associates are exceptionally intelligent, extremely hard-working, very responsive, and have outstanding advocacy skills.’
‘I co-counseled on two matters with the IA team headed by Catherine Amirfar. A very diligent, hard-working unit, on top of the detail and very easy to work with. They all had an understanding of the cultural sensitivities in the cases (Middle East-based clients).’
‘I consider the Debevoise team to be at the top of the best (non-boutique) international arbitration practices in the US and globally.’
‘Based on my personal experience, the best individuals are Catherine Amirfar, Natalie Reid and Christopher Tahbaz.’
‘I have had the pleasure of working with a team including Dietmar Prager, Laura Sinisterra and Nawi Ukabiala, one of the best teams I have come across. They worked seamlessly with each other, kept the client regularly updated and had excellent strategic sense when conducting arbitrations.’
‘Mark Friedman is the best possible leader for this team of arbitration superstars. He is extremely intelligent, a superb strategist and advocate and very personable. His oral and written advocacy skills are really impressive and can make the difference in a big case. He is the best arbitration practitioner I know.’
‘Ina Popova is one of the most complete arbitration lawyers I know. Clients are always thrilled to have Ina on their side, as she is extremely intelligent and an outstanding advocate. Ina is also fluent in many languages, which is extremely useful in hearings.’
‘Dietmar Prager stands out for his decisiveness and sharp intellect on the various issues that were presented in the arbitration both on the merits and procedurally. Laura Sinisterra stood out for being always on the ball on all matters relating to the case, and her ability to recall facts and evidence.’

Key clients

Discovery Communication
Freeport-McMoRan
Gramercy Funds Management
Hydro and a group of Italian investors
The Republic of Iraq
SMM Cerro Verde Netherlands
Tethyan Copper Company (jointly owned by Antofagasta Minerals of Chile and Barrick Gold Corporation of Canada)

Work highlights

Successfully represented Gramercy Funds Management, and an affiliate, in an UNCITRAL arbitration against the Government of Peru under the US-Peru TPA, arising out of Peru’s efforts to evade payment of agrarian bonds issued in exchange for property expropriated by the government in the 1970s.
Successfully defended the Government of the Republic of Iraq against ICSID claims in two separate arbitral proceedings, totaling over $1bn.
Represented Freeport-McMoRan and Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde in an ICSID arbitration against Peru under the US-Peru TPA, involving claims of approximately $1bn.

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