Baker Botts L.L.P. continues to increase its market presence in the Latin American international arbitration space, following a spree of hires from Sidley Austin LLP in 2023. The team acts for clients involved in both commercial and investor-state disputes. With expertise in construction, mining and infrastructure, the team is notably conducting a significant volume of work for the Republic of Peru, across both investor-state and state-state disputes related to mining and construction agreements. Alejandro Escobar, a partner in the firm’s London office, specialises in international arbitrations and public international law. Qualified in both the UK and Chile and a native speaker, Escobar is capable of leading on high-end international arbitration matters. Highly rated international arbitration practitioner Jennifer Haworth McCandless, based in Washington DC, regularly represents sovereign clients in proceedings before ICSID and in WTO disputes. Special counsel María Carolina Durán and senior associate Ernesto Féliz De Jesús regularly contribute to the team’s Latin American work.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The Baker Botts arbitration team is a team in the truest sense of the word: responsibility, knowledge, punctuality, and professionalism to handle every aspect and stage of the case.’
‘A very important aspect is the seriousness, assertiveness, and perfectionism required for the delivery of products and advice in the development of the cases. I particularly recommend Alejandro Escobar and Ernesto Feliz de Jesús.'
‘Baker Botts must be the best investment arbitration firm I have ever worked with; they are very professional from their approach to cases to their conclusion.’
‘Experience, solidity, dedication.'
'María Carolina Durán, Jennifer Haworth McCandless and Alejandro Escobar are excellent. Maria is an exceptional lawyer.'
'Alejandro Escobar, partner, and Ernesto Féliz de Jésus, senior associate, are 100% involved in cases.'
Key clients
- Republic of Peru
Work highlights
Successfully represented Peru in a landmark decision that resolves an over 20-year dispute between the mining company and Peru, for which the claimant sought over $1bn in damages.
Successfully represented the client as the ad hoc Committee in the Autopista del Norte SAC v Republic of Peru arbitration ruled in favour of the client and dismissing the request do annulment in its entirety.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Alejandro Escobar
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
María Carolina Durán
Ernesto Féliz De Jesús
Practice head
Andrew Behrman; Johannes Koepp
Other key lawyers
Alejandro Escobar; Jennifer Haworth McCandless; María Carolina Durán; Ernesto Féliz De Jesús