Chaffetz Lindsey LLP > New York, United States > Firm Profile

Chaffetz Lindsey LLP Offices

Chaffetz Lindsey LLP
1700 Broadway, 33rd Floor
New York, NY USA 10019
NEW YORK
United States
Visit website 1 212 257 6960 1 212 257 6950

Chaffetz Lindsey LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 2

International arbitration is a core discipline at New York-based disputes boutique Chaffetz Lindsey LLP, and the firm's focus on the area translates into a comprehensive offering, both in terms of practice scope and geographical coverage. Particularly robust in representing companies–in both commercial and investor-state cases–the group also continues to strengthen its sovereign state expertise; such as its recent victory for the Czech Republic in an arbitration brought under UNCITRAL rules arising out of the country's alleged breach of the Czech Republic-UAE BIT. Group head James Hosking, valued for his 'commercial approach to issues', co-led the Czech Republic case alongside Yasmine Lahlou, whose recent experience has seen her advise on cases seated in Paris, Stockholm, Istanbul, and The Hague, among others. Caline Mouawad 'has a plan at every step of the way' and is representing Clorox Spain in its UNCITRAL arbitration against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela under the Spain-Venezuela BIT. The group also draws on experienced specialists David Lindsey, who co-founded the firm, and Aníbal Sabater, whose practice has an emphasis on cases in the energy, construction, and financial spheres. Other recommended names include Andreas Frischknecht, noted for his 'commercial perspective', and Gretta Walters, who was recently promoted to partner.

Practice head(s):

James Hosking

Other key lawyers:

Caline Mouawad; Yasmine Lahlou; David Lindsey; Aníbal Sabater; Andreas Frischknecht; Gretta Walters

Testimonials

‘Chaffetz Lindsey provides outstanding value and service. It is one of the best firms I have worked with and I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone needing practical, business-minded advice.’

‘The level of client service is exceptional – lawyers can always be relied upon to make themselves available/provide advice whenever necessary. In addition, they are very business and solution oriented. They are good at understanding the commercial sensitivities of cases.‘

‘I have complete trust in James Hosking and he is highly regarded in the arbitration world. I value his vast experience in arbitration and litigation, but equally his commercial approach to issues and focus on achieving the outcome that best suits the company’s needs at the time.’

‘I am always impressed at how quickly James Hosking can understand and become knowledgeable and versed in the business facts of the case and context of the case in the industry generally. In most cases he ends up knowing the business as well as the business people themselves.’

‘Andreas Frischknecht demonstrates the same level of professional ability and commercial perspective that we have come to expect from CL.’

‘Chaffetz Linsdsey has a fabulous international arbitration team. They are creative thinkers, understand arbitration, and have credibility in the arbitration community.’

‘CL puts a lot of hard work into their clients and it’s clear there was a lot of thought and attention paid to our case at every step.’

‘Caline Mouawad is fantastic and always attentive. She always thinks through issues and has a plan at every step of the way, but she is also happy to talk through issues and consider different ideas.‘

Key clients

The AES Corporation

APM Terminals Callao S.A

Clorox Spain S.L.

Czech Republic

Enel S.p.A

Eskenazi family

Grañá y Montero

The Government of the Cook Islands

IESA Oleo & Gas, S.A

NNPC

Reti Televisive Italiane

SPI Energy

Stoneway Capital

Sustainable Bio Solutions Aabenraa K/S

Synohydro Costa Rica, Omega Construcciones, Desarrollos y Construcciones Urbanas and CAABSA Infraestructura

Tonopah Solar Energy, LLC

Work highlights

  • Successfully represented the Czech Republic in a dispute under UNCITRAL rules arising out of its alleged breach of the Czech Republic-UAE BIT.
  • Successfully represented the Nigerian National Petroleum Company in opposing enforcement of a $2.8bn arbitration award against the Nigerian subsidiaries of Shell and Exxon.
  • Represented AES Corporation in an ICSID arbitration against Argentina seeking $2bn in damages for breaches of the US-Argentina BIT.

Insurance > Advice to insurers Tier 2

New York boutique Chaffetz Lindsey LLP is adept at representing clients involved in insurance and reinsurance disputes in the US and those spanning multiple jurisdictions, appearing before courts and in arbitrations. The practice has experience advising clients on multi-national arbitrations and has also handled matters with ties to the UK and Canada. Leadership of the practice is split four ways between Peter Chaffetz, a highly experienced trial and arbitration lawyer who advises on complex matters including asbestos claims, environmental liability and sports disability, Cecilia Moss, who has advised on COVID-19 losses and construction losses, trial and arbitrations litigator Steven Schwartz, and Charles Scibetta, whose practice encompasses mass tort liabilities in relation COVID-19 claims, pollution, and professional liability.

Practice head(s):

Peter Chaffetz; Cecilia Moss; Steven Schwartz; Charles Scibetta

Other key lawyers:

Andrew Poplinger

Testimonials

‘Very strong persuasive advocacy – both oral and writing. Willing to think outside the box in regard to billing, staffing, as well as legal argument.’

‘Steve Schwartz is exceptional at taking complex matters and addressing them in a straightforward, easy-to-follow manner. Cia Moss is precise, confident, and a strong advocate for her clients.’

‘Chaffetz Lindsey’s work has very high quality and it has not only an excellent understanding of legal aspects in the case, but also an excellent understanding of the position of an insurer and the insurance market. They are knowledgeable, savvy in strategical matters, extremely experienced and also well-connected all over the world. In addition, the insurance team of Chaffetz Lindsey has many years of experience in insurance and reinsurance law. Their team is highly skilled and very dedicated to its clients, making them one of the leading providers in this field.’

‘Peter Chaffetz: the impression is to work with lawyers who are not only very competent, reliable and experienced, but also wise and distinguished. The knowledge of the insurance law and market of Peter is in my opinion unique, and of course his professional and personal contacts in this field are great.’

Key clients

AIG

Allianz/Fireman’s Fund

Arch

Chubb

Enstar

Ergo Versicherungs AG

Marsh

Sun Life Financial

Trisura International Insurance

Zurich Insurance Company North America

Work highlights

  • Represented AIG in a number of its large, complex insurance and reinsurance coverage disputes, including coverage disputes arising out of lead paint, MTBE contamination, and hockey concussions.
  • Represented an insurer in two separate European-seated arbitrations arising out of US class action settlements (one valued at over $750M and one valued at $187M).
  • Represented Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company before the District Court and on appeal to the Second Circuit concerning the application of follow-the-settlements and whether insurance policies can be exhausted by settlements.

Latin America: International firms > International arbitration Tier 3

New York-based international disputes boutique Chaffetz Lindsey LLP advises on complex international arbitrations globally and has grown its Latin America client base and team in recent years. The firm has secured notable victories for clients in the construction, manufacturing and renewable energy sectors and secured new instructions involving clients and projects across multiple Latin American countries. Founding partner James Hosking leads the team and is active on the firm’s largest Latin America cases, as well as sitting as arbitrator on a number of Latin America matters. The highly regarded Aníbal Sabater maintains a sizeable Latin America client base and has built up extensive arbitral experience, especially in energy, construction and financial services disputes. Caline Mouawad is another key name and has 20 years' experience handling both commercial and investor-state disputes, while Yasmine Lahlou is best known for her work in Brazil and is active in the energy, pharmaceuticals and telecoms industries. The practice has strengthened its senior ranks with the promotion of Gretta Walters to the partnership in recognition of her contribution to complex matters in Guatemala, Brazil, Costa Rica and Mexico. Former rising star Rainbow Willard left the firm to take up a position at the US Department of Justice in 2021.

Practice head(s):

James Hosking

Key clients

AES Corporation

APM Terminals Callao

Clorox Spain

Eletrobras CGT Eletrosul

Enel

Eskenazi family

Grañá y Montero

Hydria Participações e Investimentos

IESA Oleo & Gas

QGI Oil & Gas

SPI Energy

Stoneway Capital

Work highlights

  • Successfully represented Brazilian construction company IESA Oil & Gas in ICC arbitration seated in New York concerning a dispute arising out of the owner TUPI’s wrongful termination of an EPC Contract to build modules to for six different floating, production, storage and offloading vessels
  • Represent Clorox Spain in ongoing UNCITRAL arbitration against Venezuela under the Spain-Venezuela bilateral investment treat
  • Represented AES Corporation in ICSID arbitration against Argentina seeking damages for breaches of the US-Argentina bilateral investment treaty, arising from Argentina’s modification of its electricity tariffs in the context of the 2001 Argentine financial crisis.

Chaffetz Lindsey LLP > Firm Profile

The firm: Chaffetz Lindsey is a premier litigation and international arbitration boutique. For over ten years, it has helped clients find business-minded solutions where possible or win in arbitration and court if necessary. It provides the service, expertise and international experience clients expect from the largest firms, but from a smaller, client-friendly, New York City platform. Chaffetz Lindsey’s international reach is unique for its size and single-office location. In addition, the firm is distinguished by its flexibility on fees and lack of conflicts. Chaffetz Lindsey can and does act against major businesses that many large firms will not oppose.

Main areas of practice
Commercial litigation: Chaffetz Lindsey has an active commercial litigation practice with significant trial and appellate experience in federal and state courts. The team represents companies in disputes involving complex commercial contracts, sales/licensing and distribution agreements, construction projects, and disputes arising from domestic and international crises (including COVID-19). The firm excels in cross-border litigation, including cases involving sovereigns, international discovery, enforcement of judgments/arbitration awards, and parallel proceedings.

International arbitration: Chaffetz Lindsey is an international arbitration powerhouse. It represents clients in arbitrations administered by all of the major institutions and under all of the major arbitral rules, including HKIAC, ICC, ICDR, ICSID, LCIA, SCC, SIAC, and UNCITRAL Rules. The team handles disputes in a variety of industries, with a particular expertise in energy, engineering and nbsp; and construction, financial services, insurance, infrastructure, manufacturing, mining, oil and nbsp;and gas, and pharmaceuticals. In addition to its broad commercial arbitration practice, Chaffetz Lindsey has expertise in public international law and currently represents investors and sovereigns in multiple treaty disputes. The firm’s current caseload includes arbitrations involving more than 20 jurisdictions covering Asia, Continental Europe, Latin America, North America, and the Middle East. In addition to being US-qualified, the team includes lawyers trained in both civil and common law systems who have practiced in Europe, Latin America, or Asia-Pacific and are fluent in several languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, and German. The firm’s lawyers are recognized thought leaders who regularly speak, teach, and publish on cutting-edge international arbitration issues.

Insurance/reinsurance: Chaffetz Lindsey has one of the deepest insurance/reinsurance practices in the market. The firm has delivered successful results to clients facing exposures ranging into the billions of dollars in every major industry issue of the past three decades. These issues include asbestos, environmental, 9/11, finite risk, financial guarantee, commutations, late notice, workers’ compensation, managing general agencies and pools, insurance wrapped residential mortgage backed securities, disputes over arbitrability, COVID-19, and insolvency matters, including cases against liquidators and cut-through endorsement claims by policyholders. In addition, we have extensive experience in disputes arising out of mergers and acquisitions of insurance and reinsurance companies. Chaffetz Lindsey’s team members are recognized leaders in the industry and are active members in a variety of industry forums, including ARIAS and the International Bar Association’s Insurance Committee. Peer firms frequently call on Chaffetz Lindsey to submit amicus curiae briefs on major industry issues.

Bankruptcy: Chaffetz Lindsey recently expanded its team to bring on a leading bankruptcy specialist, Alan Lipkin. Chaffetz Lindsey advises major creditors, shareholders, creditors and ad hoc committees, and other key parties in chapter 11 and debtors’ chapter 7 cases and out-of-court workouts. The firm also has substantial experience in insurance and bank insolvency matters and in addressing potential insolvency issues in structured finance and other complex transactions. Consistent with the team’s deep international network and experience, many of firm’s insolvency-related matters involve cross-border components and ancillary proceedings under chapter 15 of the bankruptcy code.

Partners: Peter Chaffetz, Andreas Frischknecht, James Hosking, Yasmine Lahlou, David Lindsey, Alan Lipkin, Sandy Litvack, Cecilia Moss, Caline Mouawad, Andrew Poplinger, Aníbal Sabater, Steven Schwartz, Charles Scibetta, Gretta Walters

Number of partners: 14
Number of other lawyers: 13

Main Contacts

DepartmentNameEmailTelephone
Founding Partner Peter Chaffetzpeter.chaffetz@chaffetzlindsey.com212 257 6961
Founding Partner James Hoskingjames.hosking@chaffetzlindsey.com212 257 6963
Founding Partner Cecilia Mosscia.moss@chaffetzlindsey.com212 257 6964
Founding Partner Charles Scibettacharles.scibetta@chaffetzlindsey.com212 257 6962
Partner Aníbal Sabateranibal.sabater@chaffetzlindsey.com212 257 6945

Languages

English
Spanish
Portuguese
French
Chinese (Mandarin)
Arabic
German
Italian