‘One of the top arbitration practices in London’, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is consistently mandated to act in big-ticket investor-state matters. It is also highly experienced in large-scale private fund, insurance and healthcare-related commercial arbitrations. Regularly sought out to act in complex commercial and investment disputes, former UK Attorney General Lord Peter Goldsmith KC is chair of the firm’s European and Asian litigation practice. Jeffrey Sullivan KC, a July 2023 recruit from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, is co-chair of international arbitration in Europe and ‘superb lawyer’ Patrick Taylor co-leads the firm’s Africa practice group. The practice further showcases construction-related commercial arbitration specialist Tony Dymond, who works across the firm’s London and Hong Kong offices and Conway Blake, who acts in international commercial and investor-state arbitrations. Samantha Rowe focuses on commercial arbitration, investor-state arbitration and public international law. The next line of experienced practitioners includes construction and engineering expert Robert Hoose, international arbitration and public international law specialist Aimee-Jane Lee, and Gavin Chesney and Shreya Aren, who are ’responsive and well prepared’. Other key figures are Laith Najjar, Monika Hlavkova, Sonja Sreckovic, and Mark McCloskey. Maxim Osadchiy left the firm in May 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
- Profile
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘One of the top arbitration practices in London (if not globally).’
‘The team is very experienced and well prepared. Responsive - from the more junior to more senior lawyers, they are always available and very well informed about cases’ details.’
‘It has a very deep bench, made up of specialists not only in general commercial arbitration, but also international law.’
- ‘Patrick Taylor is a superb lawyer, who runs a really tight ship, and is on top of his brief.’
- ‘Mark McCloskey is a hard-working, intelligent associate.’
- ‘Monika Hlavkova is a really bright lawyer - hard-working and very knowledgeable about arbitration.’
‘Aimee-Jane Lee is diligent and has a good sense of balance, both in making arguments and in managing clients. Laith Najjar is smart and scrupulous. He understands complex issues and does not miss details.’
‘Gavin Chesney and Shreya Aren are responsive and well prepared. Although they search for different and creative solutions to accommodate clients’ needs, when required they are firm with their advice and recommendations.’
Key clients
- Hydro
- Costruzioni
- Shell Petroleum
- The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria
- The Nova Group Investments
Work highlights
- Representing The Nova Group Investments in an ICSID claim against the Romanian Government under the Netherlands-Romania BIT, in respect of the purported expropriation of its Romanian assets and breaches of BIT protections.
- Successfully represented Francesco Becchetti (and five other Italian investors) in ICSID proceedings against Albania, which concerned the claimants’ investments in a hydroelectric plant and a media company.
- Represented SPNV and SPDC (as claimants) against the Federal Republic of Nigeria in an ICSID case brought under the Netherlands-Nigeria bilateral investment treaty, in respect of breaches of the fair and equitable treatment standard, the denial of justice standard, and the protection against unlawful expropriation.
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.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Lord Goldsmith KC; Jeffrey Sullivan KC
Other key lawyers
Tony Dymond; Patrick Taylor; Samantha Rowe; Conway Blake; Robert Hoose; Aimee-Jane Lee; Gavin Chesney; Shreya Aren; Laith Najjar; Monika Hlavkova; Sonja Sreckovic; Mark McCloskey