Damien Nyer > White & Case LLP > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

Led out of Washington DC by global arbitration group chair Abby Cohen Smutny, White & Case LLP’s highly regarded ‘dream team’ shows a strong presence in other East Coast locations (including New York), in the West Coast, and in the South (in particular, Houston and Miami). In addition, the practice regularly collaborates with other offices abroad and is able to rely on arbitration resources in all large arbitration centers worldwide; examples of cross-continental cooperation include mandates handled alongside the firm’s specialists in London, Paris, and Geneva. The team’s recent investment arbitration work stands out in the mining and metals sector, where it is representing Gabriel Resources Ltd. and its subsidiary bringing $4.4bn expropriation claims arising out of Romania’s treatment of the client’s investment in the Roșia Montană gold mining project. While the group certainly acts for numerous large companies in both commercial and investment treaty arbitration, it is equally well-versed in handling dispute resolution work for sovereign states; its notable client roster includes the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Bulgaria, as well as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to name a few. Furthermore, team members’ sector-specific expertise span energy, oil and gas, infrastructure, financial services, and pharmaceuticals. The ‘very smart and energetic’ Carolyn Lamm (Washington DC) leads the firm’s Americas arbitration practice; in the same office, senior partner Jonathan Hamilton is also an advisor of choice for multiple Latin American clients. Notably, the team in Houston stands out for its ability to handle matters relating to Brazil or Lusophone African jurisdictions; Jorge Mattamouros is the go-to practitioner for Portuguese-speaking clients. Having formerly served as the firm’s arbitration group leader for close two decades, Paul Friedland is among the most recognized names in New York’s arbitration arena. Clients recommend Ank Santens in New York for her ‘effective’ cross-examination techniques and trust-inspiring approach. Damien Nyer stands out for his civil and common law qualifications.