Global powerhouse Freshfields LLP continues to reap the rewards of its Latin American focus in the international arbitration space. With input from multiple international offices, including New York, Washington DC, London, and Madrid, the firm has been the port of call for a variety of multinational corporations and sovereign states facing high-stakes commercial and investment treaty disputes across the region. The team has been notably active in infrastructure disputes relating to oil and mining issues, as well as representing clients in significant aviation cases. The ‘brilliant’ Nigel Blackaby KC (Washington DC), co-head of the group, is a vastly experienced Latin American-focused practitioner, having acted in over 100 related arbitrations in his career. Blackaby secured significant victories against the sovereign governments of Uruguay, Colombia, and Venezuela during 2024. Noiana Marigo (New York) continues to enhance her strong reputation in the field with some significant commercial and investment arbitrations concerning a range of economic sectors and joins Blackaby and Elliot Friedman (New York) to form a formidable leadership group. Caroline Richard (DC) regularly acts as lead counsel in some significant cases, while Lee Rovinescu  (New York) is experienced in handling examinations of technical witnesses in major hearings. Counsel Natalia Zibibbo and senior associate Hinda Rabkin, both based in New York, and counsel Maria Julia Milesi in DC are other key members of the team.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Each member of the team is highly qualified, always available. The quality of their work is impressive. Highest standard on the market. It has been a great experience working with them.’

  • ‘They are very caring and friendly professionals. Very dedicated to providing the highest quality service. They work very well as a team.

  • 'I was impressed by the work of Natalia Zibibbo. Nigel Blackaby is a brilliant lawyer, understands very well the needs of clients and leads his team very well. ’
  • 'They have been the leading firm and team in Latin American arbitration for 25 years. Nigel Blackaby is the pioneer of Latin American arbitration and has assembled a brilliantly trained team of young partners.'
  • 'Nigel Blackaby at the top - and then Noiana Marigo, Lee Rovinescu, and Elliot Friedman are a dream team of arbitration in the region.'
  • 'Freshfields' international arbitration team is exceptional. They are the undisputed leaders in the field of investment arbitration and are always at the forefront, setting trends.'

Key clients

  • ConocoPhillips Company
  • The Glencore Group
  • VINCI Airports
  • Anglo American
  • Grupo Agroinsumos
  • South32
  • Occidental
  • Eco Oro Minerals
  • Smurfit Kappa
  • BBVA
  • Latin American Regional Aviation Holding
  • IC Power

Work highlights

Represented Smurfit Holdings against Venezuela in an ICSID arbitration under the Netherlands-Venezuela BIT arising out of the seizure of its market-leading paper-packaging business in Venezuela, as well as other arbitrary government measures that destroyed the value of Smurfit’s investments in Venezuela.
Represented IC Power and Kenon in securing an award of circa $175m against Peru pursuant to the Singapore–Peru FTA for Peru’s arbitrary treatment of their investments in the power generation and transmission sectors in Peru.
Secured a $56m award for LARAH in its ICSID arbitration against Uruguay under the Panama-Uruguay BIT.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.

Noiana Marigo

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Next Generation Partners

Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Leading associates

Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.

Maria Julia Milesi

Practice head

Nigel Blackaby KC; Noiana Marigo; Elliot Friedman

Other key lawyers

Lee Rovinescu; Natalia Zibibbo; Hinda Rabkin; Maria Julia Milesi