Recently mandated by both sovereigns and international companies, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP‘s London practice handles both investor-state matters and commercial arbitrations. Lord Peter Goldsmith KC, a former UK Attorney General, is ’always well prepared and strategically minded’; Jeffrey Sullivan KC acts in commercial and investor-state arbitrations before major arbitral institutions; London and Hong Kong-based Tony Dymond specialises in construction-related commercial arbitration; and Patrick Taylor is experienced in the upstream oil and gas, energy, telecoms and pharmaceuticals sectors. Also key to the group, Samantha Rowe‘s experience encompasses ICSID, UNCITRAL, SIAC, ICC and LCIA arbitrations; Conway Blake’s caseload includes Africa, CIS and Caribbean-related disputes; Gavin Chesney represents construction, energy, mining, defence, telecoms and manufacturing clients; and Shreya Aren acts for corporate and state clients under a range of institutional rules. Other experienced practitioners are Laith Najjar, Monika Hlavkova, Sonja Sreckovic, and Mark McCloskey. In April 2025, Robert Hoose departed the firm.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Really strong, technically-focused and user-friendly team for international arbitration matters. Advice is thoughtful, and showcases and leverages depth of expertise across treaty matters.’
- ‘Conway Blake manages to blend a keen intellect and love of the law, with strong client management and personal focus, so as to deliver for clients.’
- ‘Jeffrey Sullivan KC is calm and reassuring, but doesn't shy away from delivering the difficult and honest answers. Incredibly-experienced leader for investor-state treaty arbitration.’
- ‘Monika Hlavkova - really strong up-and-coming arbitration lawyer. Incredibly intelligent, has a keen passion for the complex, and pragmatic in her advice.’
- ‘Deep resources and impressive sector knowledge. Debevoise shows stellar quality through its advocacy and strategy.’
- ‘The team has strong integration. Members from different offices closely work together and make a great work product. They are also very efficient.’
Work highlights
Representing Suomi Power Networks TopCo, Supernova II Bidco and AMF Tjänstepension, in an ICSID arbitration against the Republic of Finland under the Energy Charter Treaty, the claims arising from the Finnish State regulator’s changes to the regulatory regime for electricity distribution.
Representing Azerbaijan in its claims against the Republic of Armenia for breaches of the Energy Charter Treaty and international law.
Assisting Blasket Renewable Investments, which has acquired approximately €100m of judgment debt against the Kingdom of Spain, the matter involving actions in the English Courts against Spain and Spain-associated entities.
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.
Jeffrey Sullivan KC
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.
Shreya Aren
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Monika Hlavkova
Laith Najjar
Practice head
Lord Goldsmith KC; Jeffrey Sullivan KC
Other key lawyers
Tony Dymond; Patrick Taylor; Samantha Rowe; Conway Blake; Gavin Chesney; Shreya Aren; Laith Najjar; Monika Hlavkova; Sonja Sreckovic; Mark McCloskey; Aimee-Jane Lee