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

1001 FANNIN STREET
SUITE 2500
HOUSTON, TX 77002-6760
TEXAS
United States
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James Loftis

Work Department
International Dispute Resolution & Arbitration
Position
Partner
Career
James heads Vinson & Elkins International Dispute Resolution practice, and focuses his practice on the arbitration and litigation of international commercial and investor-state disputes, and counseling in matters involving public international law and treaties. He acts both as counsel and as arbitrator.
His practice includes disputes involving all aspects of energy, construction, and infrastructure development; disputes under investment laws and treaties; and boundary disputes, cross-border technology disputes, and sovereign debt. He also represents and advises clients in reviews under U.S. national security law.
Languages
French (proficient), Russian, Spanish (reading proficient)
Education
- The University of Texas School of Law, J.D., 1990
- University of Texas, B.B.A., 1983
- Granted full rights of audience before the Dubai International Financial Centre Court
- Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales
Lawyer Rankings
United States > Dispute resolution > International arbitration
The ‘highly intelligent and creative‘ practice at Vinson & Elkins LLP stands out for its specialist focus on energy, infrastructure development and construction disputes. The team secures a steady stream of both commercial arbitration and investor-state disputes and acts for the full range of private and public companies, sovereign states and state-owned entities. James Loftis drives the international dispute resolution practice from Houston and is widely recognized for his skill sets in the oil and gas and construction spheres. In New York, Camilo Cardozo demonstrates ‘huge experience and knowledge‘ and is noted for his focus on Latin America-related matters. Counsel José Sanchez also has a significant LatAm dimension to his practice.
Latin America: International firms > City Focus - Houston
Vinson & Elkins LLP‘s Houston headquarters has a long history in the oil-and-gas sector and a deep affinity with Latin America. While cementing its position as a global leader in oil and gas, it has also achieved a prominent standing in power, renewables and the broader energy sphere. The office has worked intensively on oil and gas infrastructure projects between the US and Mexico, while additionally building its name in energy M&A and private equity. It now has broad geographic coverage from Mexico down to Brazil and Argentina. Mark Brasher and Alan Alexander are genuine Latin America energy experts. James Loftis heads the international arbitration group and has a solid record in Latin America cases.
Latin America: International firms > International arbitration
Houston-based James Loftis leads a Vinson & Elkins LLP international arbitration team that provides ‘clear, precise and well-founded solutions’ for its clients in both commercial and investor-state matters. The ‘excellent’ Camilo Cardozo in New York is a key contact for Latin America work, with London-based Nick Henchie known for his extensive construction industry expertise. Up-and-coming New York-based partner José F Sanchez handles arbitral matters in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and has experience of ICC, ICSID, ICDR, LCIA, UNCITRAL and Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce rules – particularly as regards infrastructure, energy, investor-state relationships, and post-acquisition disputes.
Lawyer Rankings
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Industry focus > Energy regulation: oil and gas
- Industry focus > Energy transactions: oil and gas
- Industry focus > Energy: renewable/alternative power
- Government > Government relations
- M&A/corporate and commercial > Shareholder activism
Firm Rankings
- Finance > Capital markets: high-yield debt offerings
- Industry focus > Energy litigation: oil and gas
- Industry focus > Environment: regulatory
- Government > Government contracts
- Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings
- Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings
- Antitrust > Cartel
- Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional
- Industry focus > Energy regulation: electric power
- Industry focus > Energy transactions: electric power
- Industry focus > Environment: litigation
- Industry focus > Environment: transactional
- Tax > International tax
- Dispute resolution > M&A litigation: defense
- Antitrust > Merger control
- Real estate > Real estate
- Real estate > Real estate investment trusts (REITs)
- Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense
- Tax > US taxes: non-contentious
- Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense
- Real estate > Construction (including construction litigation)
- Dispute resolution > International arbitration
- M&A/corporate and commercial > Private equity buyouts
- Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate
- Industry focus > Sport
- Tax > US taxes: contentious
- Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes
- Dispute resolution > Leading trial lawyers
- M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: large deals ($1bn+)
- Dispute resolution > Appellate: courts of appeals / Appellate: supreme courts (states and federal)
- Finance > Commercial lending
- Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense
- Industry focus > Transport: aviation and air travel - finance
- Real estate > Land use/zoning
- Finance > Project finance