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

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.

Practice head(s):

James Hosking

Other key lawyers:

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

Testimonials

‘Chaffetz Lindsey has a fabulous international arbitration practice. The team is doing superb work in arbitration proceedings and enforcement actions and its lawyers are of the highest caliber.’

‘James Hosking is a phenomenal team leader. Yasmine Lahlou is a formidable lawyer and arbitrator; she is everything parties would want in an arbitrator and is a great advocate. Gretta Walters has significant credibility in the arbitration community. She is brilliant and efficient.’

‘The firm’s lawyers are highly qualified and focused on clients needs. The team is very responsive. The work is carried out accurately and with great legal and strategic reasoning.’

‘We worked with Aníbal Sabater. He is a very helpful person, capable of dealing with the most complex cases. Aníbal is a professional with solid skills and strong charisma and is always punctual in meeting deadlines.’

Key clients

The AES Corporation

APM Terminals Callao

Clorox Spain

Czech Republic

Eletrobras CGT Eletrosul

Enel

IESA Oleo & Gas

NNPC

Nordex

SPI Energy

Stoneway Capital

Work highlights

  • Represented Clorox Spain in its PCA-administered UNCITRAL arbitration against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela under the Spain-Venezuela BIT.
  • Represented AES Corporation in an ICSID arbitration against Argentina seeking over $2bn in damages for breaches of the US-Argentina BIT.
  • Retained by the Government of Malaysia to advise on potential proceedings in the US relating to a 2022 arbitral award of approximately $15bn, resulting from an ad hoc arbitration initiated by eight Filipino citizens purporting to be the heirs of the former Sultan of Sulu.

Insurance > Advice to insurers Tier 2

Chaffetz Lindsey LLP, a New York boutique firm, is recognized for its experience in intricate insurance and reinsurance disputes. The practice represents major clients, including some of the world’s leading insurance companies, benefitting from a robust international network and extensive cross-border experience that enhances their capacity to handle multi-jurisdictional disputes. Leadership within the practice is divided among four individuals. Charles Scibetta currently leads several significant cases encompassing mass tort liability, pollution matters, professional sporting industry claims, professional liability exposures, and COVID-19-related property disputes. Working alongside him, Cecilia Moss manages a diverse portfolio, handling issues such as asbestos, construction losses, environmental contaminations, and 9/11-related losses, with a strong record of chairing disputes in state and federal court, as well as domestic and international arbitration. Operating in both New York and California, Peter Chaffetz has first-chaired a number of trials and arbitrations addressing critical issues in the insurance and reinsurance industry, while Steven Schwartz supports the practice through significant trial and arbitration experience, with capabilities extending to handling cases related to mergers and acquisitions of reinsurance companies. Other key contacts include Andrew Poplinger and Erin Valentine, both based in New York.

Practice head(s):

Peter Chaffetz; Cecilia Moss; Steven Schwartz; Charles Scibetta

Other key lawyers:

Andrew Poplinger; Erin Valentine; Joshua Anders

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

Latin America: International firms > International arbitration Tier 3

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.

Practice head(s):

James Hosking

Testimonials

‘One of the great virtues of the office is that they work as a team, very collaboratively. This adds a lot of value to the customer, makes them efficient and generates high performance.’

‘The firm is entirely focused on disputes and it tells; they live and breathe disputes in ways uncommon for international firms. A true team, everyone uses the best of their abilities in full and unreserved cooperation with the rest. They work with local counsel in much the same way, which is effective and efficient. From partners to associates and paralegals only the best work at CL.’

‘James Hosking: he knows the game from top to bottom and vice versa, combining vast knowledge of the field with tons of experience and a business eye. Best of the best. Anibal Sabater: a standout figure in Iberoamerica, particularly strong in construction and infrastructure disputes. The “go to” person for sound advice on disputes from business and high level matters to the most complex and granular procedural issues. Yasmine Lahlou: impressive career, always shining in whatever forum she is in thanks to the knowledge of the field and particularities of disputes at large.’

‘Very specialised and high quality services. The partners are knowledgeable and experienced and are directly involved in the cases. I would always recommend them to my clients for very complex arbitration and litigation.’

‘Yasmine Lahlou is a very talented partner with high experience in complex cases, both as arbitrator and counsel. She fully understands the clients needs and is a real strategist. Peter Chaffetz is the best US litigator I have came across.’

‘Peter Chaffetz: A strategist with great common sense and an excellent ability to manage customer expectations. James Hosking: Deep, dedicated and talented, with a permanent focus on identifying the best arguments to achieve the client’s objectives. Aníbal Sabater: A well-rounded lawyer with the ability to litigate in English or Spanish, who excels in court.’

‘Excellent team, with extensive experience in various industries.’

‘Their individualised approach to disputes makes them stand out from their competitors.’

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

Nordex

SPI Energy

Stoneway Capital

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

Work highlights

  • Represented AES Corporation in an ICSID arbitration against Argentina arising out of interventions in the electricity generation market in breach of the US-Argentine BIT.
  • Represented Clorox Spain in its UNCITRAL arbitration against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela under the Spain-Venezuela bilateral investment treaty.
  • Represented a government-owned Brazilian electricity generator in a substantial European-seated arbitration against a Chinese contractor arising out of the design, construction and fit-out of a major power plant project.

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, Erin Valentine

Number of partners: 15
Number of other lawyers: 18

Main Contacts

Department Name Email Telephone
Founding Partner Peter Chaffetz peter.chaffetz@chaffetzlindsey.com 212 257 6961
Founding Partner James Hosking james.hosking@chaffetzlindsey.com 212 257 6963
Founding Partner Cecilia Moss cia.moss@chaffetzlindsey.com 212 257 6964
Founding Partner Charles Scibetta charles.scibetta@chaffetzlindsey.com 212 257 6962
Partner Aníbal Sabater anibal.sabater@chaffetzlindsey.com 212 257 6945

Languages

English
Spanish
Portuguese
French
Chinese (Mandarin)
Arabic
German
Italian
Romanian