Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP’ New York-based international arbitration offering is a key pillar in the firm’s global Latin America practice, and it draws on dual-qualified lawyers admitted in Argentina, Ecuador, and Chile, as well as New York. Alongside its Latin America activity, the team stands out for its oil and gas expertise, where it counts global energy majors such as Chevron among its clients. US arbitration head Christian Leathley additionally co-leads the Latin America practice; he successfully represented Andes Petroleum Ecuador in a dispute seeking to recover its 40% share of a $1bn arbitral award. Amal Bouchenaki is recommended for her diverse multi-jurisdictional experience, with an emphasis on Latin America and the MENA region. Florencia Villaggi has left the firm.
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Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Technically brilliant partners and associates.'
Key clients
- Saudi Arabian Chevron and Chevron Corporation
- Andes Petroleum Ecuador
- Republic of Italy
- Sigma Constructores
Work highlights
- Represented Chevron Corporation in its defense against an $18bn sham arbitral award issued against Chevron and Saudi Aramco by a corrupt arbitration center in Egypt.
- Represented Andes Petroleum Ecuador in an arbitration in which Andes sought to recover its 40% share of a $1bn arbitral award from Occidental Exploration and Production Company.
- Represented the Republic of Italy in relation to two enforcement actions in the US courts.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Christian Leathley
Practice head
Christian Leathley; Amal Bouchenaki
Other key lawyers
Benjamin Guthrie; Daniela Páez