Gretta Walters > Chaffetz Lindsey LLP > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

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.

Chaffetz Lindsey LLP is a New York international disputes boutique with a significant focus on Latin America, covering both common law and civil law systems. The firm has developed greater expertise in Latin America cases in recent years through lateral hires at partner and associate level, and the firm has a number of fluent Spanish speakers, along with native Portuguese speakers to support its Brazil arbitration cases. Over the research period, it handled cases involving parties in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Venezuela, and Uruguay. Additionally, the firm is noted for its expertise in enforcement actions and its representation of numerous Latin American businesses, multinationals and financial sponsors. It has also represented clients in a series of Mexico-seated arbitrations. A co-founder of the firm, James Hosking is head of the international arbitration group and is closely associated with Latin America-related cases. Aníbal Sabater previously practised in Spain and is a veteran of the Latin America market. Caline Mouawad is another senior practitioner with a fine record in Latin America, while Yasmine Lahlou is noted for Brazil-related arbitrations – particularly in the construction, energy, and oil and gas fields. The senior team was expanded in early 2022, with the promotion of Gretta Walters; she has experience handling cases involving multiple jurisdictions in the region.