Vinson & Elkins LLP

Leveraging expertise from New York, Houston, and London, the Vinson & Elkins LLP international arbitration team maintains a strong Latin American presence. Such presence, combined with its leading role in the energy and construction sectors, has positioned it to serve as lead counsel in major Latin American arbitrations. The most notable example is a series of technical construction disputes relating to the Panama Canal expansion project. The arbitrations, which have a cumulative value of around $5bn, are led by Jim Loftis and Nick Henchie. Peter Danysh joins Loftis in Houston, while Henchie is supported by a broad London team. José Sanchez and Camilo Cardozo, who are particularly recognised for their expertise in complex energy infrastructure cases, lead a New York-based arbitration practice with a proven record in commercial disputes across key Latin American jurisdictions. Additionally, the pair have experience handling complex investor-state disputes. Louise Woods, based in London, continues to handle upstream oil and gas disputes across Latin America.