Baker Botts L.L.P. cemented its position in the international arbitration field by hiring Jennifer Haworth McCandless and special counsel María Carolina Durán, 'two of the best lawyers in the field', along with a broader Washington DC-based team from Sidley Austin LLP in 2023. Featuring a number of native and fluent Spanish speakers, the new group brings further credibility - particularly as regards investor-state arbitration; current mandates include the ongoing representation of the Republic of Peru in a series of ICSID and other arbitrations; the team has also acted for a number of other Latin American states. Beyond sovereign governments, the firm represents a range of investors and Latin American corporates. The practice continues to be recognised for energy and infrastructure disputes, with further growth in technology, mining, ESG and energy transition cases. The wider Latin America-focused department is largely spread across the firm's Washington DC, New York and London offices, the latter housing key partner Alejandro Escobar ('an outstanding lawyer who works to the highest standards') is located. London senior associate Ernesto Féliz De Jesús ('critical thinking and assertiveness in understanding aspects of technical complexity') specialises in Latin America cases, including public international law matters, and commercial and construction arbitration.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
- Profile
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘It is an extremely solid team, with the ability to put together complex legal strategies in a short time. It seems to me to be a first-class team for international arbitration issues.’
‘Jennifer Haworth and María Carolina Durán are exceptional. Their work is fantastic in international arbitration, they are devoted to the client, always available and ready to provide sound advice.’
‘I had the opportunity to work with the Baker Botts international arbitration team. Mainly with Alejandro Escobar and Ernesto Feliz de Jesús. It is an excellent team, much more prepared and dedicated than many other international offices. The partners have a direct participation in the details of the conflict.’
‘Alejandro Escobar has had a remarkable career that is recognised in high-level forums. Without a doubt, his professional capacity is an appreciable aspect when considering participation in a specific case. However, there are other aspects that have equal weight such as transparency, probity and ethics with which matters are handled with the advised entities. Ernesto Féliz de Jesús shares Alejandro's vision and objectives. One of Ernesto's most striking qualities is his critical thinking and assertiveness in understanding aspects of technical complexity and his ease in presenting them to a highly specialised forum.'
‘ I worked in international arbitration with BB, a team made up of a small number of people who worked with great dedication and meticulousness, achieving favourable results. They proved to be detail-oriented and highly organised in their work. Since it was not a large team, costs were reduced and knowledge of the case was shared by all of them.’
‘Alejandro Escobar has excellent critical thinking. He excels at opening statements and cross-examination, displaying meticulousness in his approach. His personal warmth makes him very easy to work with. Ernesto Feliz is also very organised. Both are impeccable, clear and precise.'
‘Alejandro Escobar is an outstanding lawyer who works to the highest standards. He has an unparalleled legal education, is a world-renowned practitioner, and also has great analytical depth, and is charming.'
‘Jennifer Haworth and María Carolina Duran are two of the best lawyers in the field.'
Key clients
- Republic of Peru
Work highlights
- Represented the Republic of Peru in a commercial arbitration under ICSID Arbitration Rules brought by Colombian-owned highway concessionaire COVINCA concerning a concession contract to build a portion of the Pan–American Highway in the south of Peru.
- Represented Republic of Peru in a case concerning a concession contract for the expansion and maintenance of a portion of the Pan-American Highway in Peru.
- Acted for the Republic of Peru in ICSID arbitrations concerning measures adopted by tax authorities in Peru in relation to a stabilisation agreement relevant to the mining sector.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Jennifer Haworth McCandless
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