Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP houses an ‘exceptional’ team that offers integrated transatlantic capabilities, with expertise spanning all key jurisdictions and industry sectors. The practice routinely works on multi-national corporations and sovereign states, with expertise in complex investment treaty disputes. Investor state arbitrations are a strength of the team, that recently secured a US $470 million victory for Smurfit Holdings in a high-profile ICSID treaty claim against Venezuela. Operating out of New York, Elliot Friedman leads on many landmark arbitrations undertaken by the practice, notably acting as lead counsel for ConocoPhillips in the largest ICSID award to date. Also in New York, Noiana Marigo acts on ground-breaking arbitrations, with vast experience spanning high-profile commercial and investment arbitrations. In the same office, Lee Rovinescu handles complex technical issues in international arbitrations, and has expertise in public international law, while Thomas Walsh’s expertise spans the life sciences, technology, finance, and extractive sectors. In Washington DC Caroline Richard focuses on investor-state arbitrations, regularly acting on arbitrations in English, French, and Spanish, while Nigel Blackaby KC also has extensive commercial and investor-state experience. New York-based Natalia Zibbibo  has a focus on work with a Latin America nexus, while in Washington DC, Maria Julia Milesi has experience acting under ICSID, PCA, ICC, and UNCITRAL rules.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The expertise and skills of the people in this firm is exceptional, as well as their ability to work as a team and collaborate with all the needs of their clients.’

  • ‘How they treat the clients, with respect and understanding their needs. Also, their ability to gather all of the information required from different people and reflect it clearly in the memorials.’

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Key clients

  • ConocoPhillips Company
  • Exxon Mobil
  • Glencore
  • ADP
  • Grupo Agroinsumos
  • South32
  • Occidental
  • Eco Oro Minerals
  • Smurfit Kappa
  • BBVA

Work highlights

  • Represented Smurfit Holdings in an ICSID treaty claim against Venezuela arising out of the seizure of its market-leading integrated paper-packaging business in Venezuela, as well as other arbitrary government measures. In August 2024, we secured a US$470 million-plus victory for our client.
  • Represented South32 in an ICSID arbitration against Colombia arising from measures taken by the National Mining Agency and Comptroller General in relation to the improper collection of royalties against Cerro Matoso.
  • Represented Glencore, the leading global commodity trading and mining company in an UNCITRAL arbitration against the Plurinational State of Bolivia in relation to a dispute over the nationalisation of Glencore’s tin and antimony smelters and its investment in the Colquiri tin and zinc mine.

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.

Next generation partners

Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

Elliot Friedman

Other key lawyers

Noiana Marigo; Lee Rovinescu; Thomas Walsh; Caroline Richard; Natalia Zibbibo; Maria Julia Milesi