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

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.

Chaffetz Lindsey LLP’s firm-wide focus on international arbitration pays dividends in a diverse and multi-jurisdictional caseload. The New York-based international disputes boutique is well versed in representing the full spectrum of clients in commercial and investor-state arbitrations, as demonstrated by its recent work on behalf of sovereign states, state-owned companies and major multinational corporations. Department head James Hosking is highlighted by sources as ‘a phenomenal team leader’, where he draws on his experience in acting as counsel in over 100 arbitration proceedings. Among his highlight cases, Hosking continues to represent AES Corporation in its high-profile reconvened $2bn ICSID arbitration against Argentina, seeking damages for breaches of the US-Argentina BIT. The AES work is additionally co-led by Caline Mouawad, who has deep experience in commercial and investment disputes, and Aníbal Sabater, who is ‘capable of dealing with the most complex cases’. Other key partners include seasoned specialist and firm co-founder David Lindsey; ‘formidable lawyer and arbitrator’ Yasmine Lahlou; the ‘brilliant and efficient’ Gretta Walters; and Andreas Frischknecht, whose practice encompasses both international arbitration and cross-border litigation.