Fernando Mantilla-Serrano > Latham & Watkins > Paris, France > Lawyer Profile

Latham & Watkins LLP continues to impress the market with its notable experience in representing both Latin American states and private parties in investment treaty arbitrations; this includes a series of cases for the Republic of Colombia involving ICSID arbitrations brought by claimants relating to legislative, administrative and judicial measures introduced by the government – particularly as regards environmental and community matters. The firm is also noted for commercial arbitrations and enforcement proceedings with Paris-based global co-chair of the international arbitration practice, Fernando Mantilla-Serrano, who ‘stands out for his quick grasp of the essence of the matters’ and has long been a senior name in the region, leading on the vast majority of the firm’s Latin America cases. The hire of John V H Pierce as global co-head of the arbitration practice -from WilmerHale– in mid-2022, gives the practice considerable additional heft; and while not solely focused on the region, he does handle Latin America-related mandates. Pierce is based in New York, as is dual qualified (Colombia/New York) counsel Santiago Bejarano (‘always up-to-speed on the advice and willing to answer questions’) who is a key team member on many of the practice’s Latin America arbitration engagements; as is London-based Samuel Pape, who was elected to the partnership in January 2023. Paris associates Esperanza Barrón-Baratech (a Spanish national), Hugo Varenne and Diego Romero (who is qualified in Colombia, New York and Paris) are also key members of the team. Eugenie Caroit moved to Campos Mello Advogados in cooperation with DLA Piper as Of Counsel in mid-2023.

Headed by Fernando Mantilla-Serran, Latham & Watkins‘ Paris-based arbitration practice houses a compact team which regularly acts in close collaboration with colleagues from the firm’s other international offices including London in representing companies and state entities. The caseload features prominent investment and commercial arbitration cases pertaining to Colombia, and notably relating to mining and environmental protection issues. Outside of its Latin America involvement, the team also regularly handles a broad range of commercial arbitration matters including those pertaining to M&A, joint venture and distribution issues. It won three victories in the course of 2023 and gained new commercial arbitration mandates relating to the pharmaceutical sector. Associates Esperanza Barrón-Baratech and Diego Romero provide additional support.