Mr José García Cueto > Clifford Chance > Washington DC, United States > Lawyer Profile

Clifford Chance has a fast-growing practice, ‘undoubtedly one of the best for Latin America‘, covering both investor-state and commercial cases. Construction, energy, infrastructure and oil and gas are key industries. The team has a significant share of ongoing ICSID cases involving Latin American states, where the firm typically represents investors. The firm’s US, Madrid, London, Paris and other international offices are central to the success of the practice, which is engaged in disputes connected to Mexico, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Bolivia, Chile, Honduras and Panama, among other Latin American jurisdictions. The team features a number of native Spanish speakers, along with practitioners who are fluent in Portuguese or Spanish. José Ignacio García Cueto (‘one of the best lawyers for international arbitration in the region‘) has made a big impression on the market and now leads many of the firm’s top engagements involving the region. Other partners from across the network are frequently involved in Latin America, while Sao Paulo counsel Marie-Isabelle Delleur and associate Florencia Bohl are also key members of the Latin America-focused team. Named individuals are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.

Clifford Chance has ‘one of the most trustworthy international arbitration practices in the US’, commended for providing ‘hands-on experience and comprehensive subject matter management’. The team is known for handling complex international disputes across the energy, infrastructure, and oil & gas industries, notably handling an impressive number of ICSID arbitrations. In New York, Robert Houck leads the ‘great team with a deep understanding of Latin America’, that recently represented an energy company in a high-value ICSID arbitration brought against Costa Rica. ‘Star’ José García Cueto is a ‘great partner who knows how to organize a team and deliver results’. Based in Washington DC, Cueto boasts extensive experience advising on disputes in the construction, energy, and infrastructure sectors. In the same office, Steve Nickelsburg is skilled at handling arbitrations in the healthcare and life sciences sector, while on the East Coast, Anthony Candido represents financial institutions on complex commercial arbitrations, in New York.