James Loftis > Vinson & Elkins LLP > Houston, United States > Lawyer Profile

Driven out of Houston and New York, Vinson & Elkins LLP‘s international arbitration group shines in energy-related disputes, in line with its firm-wide strength. It also secures a steady stream of infrastructure development and construction-related matters. Global head of international disputes James Loftis is a former chief counsel for both the oil sector and the construction and engineering panels of the United Nations Compensation Commission; he splits his time between Houston and Dubai. New York-based Camilo Cardozo heads the international disputes practice for the Americas and is recognized for his expertise in Latin America-related cases. New York’s José Sanchez, whose recent work spans energy, IP and construction matters, recently joined the partnership.

Vinson & Elkins LLP’s team is led by Houston and Dubai-based James Loftis (head of the firm’s international disputes practice), and New York’s Camilo Cardozo, who heads up the Americas division of the practice. The firm has a particularly notable record in energy and infrastructure disputes, including LNG and natural gas-related arbitration. Additionally, it has extensive experience in both investment and commercial arbitration and demonstrates wide-ranging geographic coverage. The practice continues to be prominent in the market due to its headline role in representing the Panama Canal Authority in arbitrations connected to the Panama Canal expansion project. London’s Nick Henchie is a leading figure in Latin America construction arbitrations, with fellow London-based partner Louise Woods also active on Latin America matters. Raised to the partnership in early 2022, New York’s José F Sanchez is an up-and-coming tri-lingual practitioner with a close focus on the Americas. The team also includes Houston counsel Peter Danysh who has extensive construction and energy disputes experience (both commercial and investor-state), and a particular focus on Latin America.

Vinson & Elkins LLP has an extensive record in energy and infrastructure projects, along with international arbitration in Latin America. The firm’s wide ranging projects practice in the region has broadened out from one that primarily focused on Mexico and has also moved beyond its traditional forte of upstream oil and gas. It now encompasses data centre developments and fibre optic cables, toll road concessions in Colombia, green hydrogen projects in Chile and production facilities in Mexico. The Houston team is also recognised for LNG and regasification projects. Energy transactions and projects partner Alan Alexander has a significant focus on the Latin American region. In international arbitration, the firm also has a fine record in Latin America, particularly in the construction and energy fields. Led by James Loftis, who splits his time between Houston and the Middle East (where he is managing partner of the Dubai office), the Houston team also includes Latin America specialist counsel Peter Danysh and counsel Timothy Tyler. All three are part of a wider team that continue to represent the Panama Canal Authority in arbitrations connected to the Panama Canal extension project. The international arbitration team is also active in LNG and natural gas disputes in Latin America.