Dispute resolution in Venezuela
Baker & McKenzie, S.C.
Baker & McKenzie, S.C. is a key player in the dispute resolution space, particularly for litigation as well as investment and commercial arbitration. Practice head Eugenio Hernández-Bretón has longstanding experience acting as counsel as well as an arbitrator; together with Maria Eugenia Salazar, he is representing Longreef in its $80m investment arbitration proceedings against the Venezuelan government regarding its expropriation. Other clients include Agroinsumos Ibero-Americanos and Anglo American. Gabriel De Jesús has additional expertise in corporate matters, alongside civil and commercial procedures. Associates Hector Martinez and Maria Alejandra Ruiz are also noted.
D'Empaire
The team at D'Empaire is noted for its experience in civil and commercial proceedings, in which it acts for clients from a variety of industries, including energy, manufacturing and media. It is also involved in various ICSID and ICC arbitrations, in which practice head José Humberto Frías is particularly well versed. Together with associate Daniel Bustos, he is acting for Tenaris in the execution of a $230m arbitration award against Venezuela concerning the nationalisation of a foreign-owned company. Pedro Perera and Dubraska Galarraga represent Radio Caracas Televisión in a copyright infringement dispute concerning several soap operas.
Dentons
Led by Ramón Alvins, the dispute resolution team at Dentons has a strong track record in arbitration and litigation cases, where it acts for national and foreign clients. Recent highlights include acting for Consorcio B&P in a contractual dispute against a consortium formed by two international construction companies; defending Perfumes Factory in two arbitration proceedings concerning claims filed by Inversiones Leraco and Ledo Correa for breach of franchise agreement. Of counsel Pedro Saghy is well versed in commercial as well as multi-jurisdictional disputes and associate Azael Socorro is also noted.
ARAQUEREYNA
ARAQUEREYNA's dispute resolution team specialises in civil, commercial and IP litigation as well as in ADR. Key practitioners include Rafael Aneas Rodríguez, who has more than 30 years of experience in the field; founding partner Luis Alfredo Araque, who is a popular choice for contentious labour matters; Marcos Carrillo, who specialises in disputes in the construction, international contracting, insurance, and oil space; and Pedro Sosa, whose practice is focused on real estate and finance-related matters. Associate Guido Mejía is also noted.
Leĝa Abogados
Leĝa Abogados handles an impressive range of matters, with particularly noteworthy experience in alternative dispute resolution and commercial litigation. The group also has additional expertise in IP and maritime proceedings. Practice head Carlos Domínguez also represents clients in white-collar crime cases. Other noted team members include Mark Melilli Silva, José Gregorio Torrealba and Lisette García Gandica.
Mendoza, Palacios, Acedo, Borjas, Paez Pumar & Cia.
Mendoza, Palacios, Acedo, Borjas, Paez Pumar & Cia. impresses with the scope of its practice, where it handles a range of disputes including administrative and judicial proceedings, as well as arbitrations. Practice co-head Carlos Eduardo Acedo Sucre and Luisa Lepervanche are acting for Lexington Insurance Company (AIG) and other international reinsurers regarding Venalum’s claim against insurer Multinacional de Seguros. Tax expert María Genoveva Páez Pumar and practice co-head Esteban Palacios assisted MSD Farmacéutica with a nullity claim before the Superior Tax Court concerning a resolution that denied a filed administrative appeal. The team is also handling ongoing matters for clients including Coca-Cola, Asea Brown Bovery and Zurich Seguros. Other names to note are Rosemary Thomas, Alfonso Graterol, Diego Lepervanche, Carlos Páez Pumar and associate María del Carmen López.
Mezgravis & Asoc
Boutique law firm Mezgravis & Asoc handles litigation and arbitration proceedings. Andrés Mezgravis is an experienced advocate and also represents clients in mediation, where he acts in cases involving individuals as well as state entities. Militza Perez handles commercial, civil and labor proceedings.
Tinoco, Travieso, Planchart & Núñez
Tinoco, Travieso, Planchart & Núñez's areas of expertise cover the full gamut of contentious matters, ranging from commercial and civil proceedings to labor and tax disputes as well as arbitration and mediation. The team also represents clients in white-collar crime cases. Senior associate Manuel Lozada García is noted. Carlos Lepervanche Michelena sadly passed away.
Torres, Plaz & Araujo
Torres, Plaz & Araujo has considerable experience in the full spectrum of disputes, ranging from civil, commercial, aeronautical and banking matters to arbitration procedures, tort cases and insurance disputes. Luis Gonzalo Monteverde and Jesús Escudero jointly lead the practice; the latter recently acted for HFW in assisting with claims arising from reinsurance contracts signed by Venezuelan insurance companies. Escudero, energy specialist Valentina Cabrera and associate Andrea Cruz Suárez represent Petrosaudi Oil Services in an arbitration against PDVSA.
Travieso Evans Arria Rengel & Paz
Travieso Evans Arria Rengel & Paz is noted for its experience in disputes arising from commercial agreements and the enforcement of contracts. The team is also regularly involved in arbitration proceedings and lawsuits, and is a popular choice for clients from the automotive, energy and mining industries. Pedro Rengel Nuñez and Javier Ruan jointly head the practice.
WDA legal, S.C.
Key practitioners at WDA legal, S.C. include Miami-based Hernando Díaz-Candia and Bernardo Weininger, who handle commercial litigation and international arbitration. The team is instructed by local and foreign clients from a range of industries, including the water, electricity, hydrocarbons and food sectors.