Nick Henchie > Vinson & Elkins RLLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Vinson & Elkins RLLP is renowned for its repeat instructions on high-value and complex infrastructure projects, including substantial involvement in global mega-projects. The firm’s geographical reach is broad, handling cases in diverse regions such as the Americas, UK, the Middle East, and East Asia. It operates across a variety of sectors, including renewables, transportation infrastructure, petrochemicals, and data centres. Led by Roberta Downey, a recognised leader in bet-the-company proceedings, the practice includes Nick Henchie, specialising in international arbitration and dispute resolution for construction and engineering disputes. The team is further strengthened by Angus Rankin, who brings extensive experience in advising on major disputes globally, particularly in power projects, Scott Stiegler, who focuses on complex, multi-jurisdictional projects, and senior associate Jarrod Gutsa, who is experienced in all forms of dispute resolution.

With ‘vast experience and remarkable knowledge in international arbitration‘, Vinson & Elkins RLLP’s London practice is widely respected for its  representation of energy, and oil and gas, clients in high-stakes global disputes. Louise Woods acts in investment treaty and international commercial arbitrations under all the major rules; Nick Henchie ‘has vast experience‘; Roberta Downey and Scott Stiegler act in construction disputes; and Angus Rankin focuses on power project-related claims. Senior associate Ciara Ros is ‘very highly regarded for infrastructure disputes‘.

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.