Housing a market-leading international arbitration practice, Freshfields showcases stellar expertise across investor–state arbitration, including extensive experience under ICSID and other treaty-based regimes, and related award annulment and enforcement proceedings before national courts. The practice combines investment treaty and high-end international commercial arbitration, and is especially noted for disputes arising in energy, natural resources, infrastructure and construction, as well as for its deep regional expertise across Latin America, Africa, Europe and Asia, acting for both sovereign states and multinational entities. Steering the group is New York-based Elliot Friedman who maintains a renowned arbitration reputation, elevated by his role as lead counsel for ConocoPhilips in its US $8.5 billion-plus ICSID award against Venezuela. Also in the New York office, Noiana Marigo draws on longstanding experience in complex international arbitrations across the Americas, involving a wide range of sectors, and Thomas W. Walsh steers his workload towards arbitrations arising out of the life sciences, tech and extractive sectors. In Washington, DC Nigel Blackaby KC stands out for his role in ad hoc and institutional arbitrations. Also in Washington, DC Caroline Richard is a go-to for investor-state arbitrations, frequently involving the mining, natural resources and infrastructure sectors.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Noiana Marigo and Nigel Blackaby are excellent strategists and fantastic at putting together tailor-made teams best suited for each particular case. Natalia Zibbibo is also fantastic at managing the team efficiently.
- They have the top talent from all jurisdictions and are capable of putting together teams that bring local talent, which is crucial for effective case management and for controlling and maximizing output from local counsel. Their experience and strategic view of the case from the start are second to none.
Key clients
- ConocoPhillips Company
- Exxon Mobil
- Glencore
- ADP
- Grupo Agroinsumos
- South32
- Occidental
- Smurfit Westrock
- Chevron
- Shell
- IC Power
- Kenon Holdings
Work highlights
Secured a final historic victory for ConocoPhillips against Venezuela concerning the 2007 expropriation of three major oil investments. In March 2019, Freshfields first obtained the largest-ever ICSID award of US$8.5 billion-plus (now valued at US$13 billion).
Secured a US$800 million award for AES Corporation in one of the longest-running arbitrations in ICSID’s history.
Represented Smurfit Holdings against Venezuela inan ICSID arbitration under the Netherlands-Venezuela BIT arising out of the seizure of its market-leading paper-packaging business in Venezuela, as well as other arbitrary government measures that destroyed the value of Smurfit’s investments in Venezuela.
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.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Elliot Friedman
Other key lawyers
Noiana Marigo; Thomas W. Walsh; Nigel Blackaby KC; Caroline Richard; Santiago Gatica; Lee Rovinescu; Natalia Zibibbo