‘Exceptional both in terms of its quality and its geographical reach’, Norton Rose Fulbright’s international arbitration practice leverages a thriving Houston offering, which marks it as a key contender for energy and natural resources-related work. Primarily active on commercial cases, the team is also well versed in investor-state matters, where it has extensive experience in both ICSID and UNCITRAL proceedings. From Houston, global department head, Mark Baker, has acted as counsel or arbitrator in cases spanning more than sixty countries worldwide, with a focus on the energy, infrastructure, mining, transport and financial services spheres. Kevin O’Gorman, also in Houston, spearheads the US international arbitration practice and specializes in commercial, energy, sovereign, treaty and project-related disputes. The group also draws on Washington DC’s Matthew Kirtland, who is praised as ’inventive in his arguments’; New York-based insurance disputes co-head Mina Matin, who is highly regarded for Bermuda Form arbitrations; and talented San Francisco-based senior associate Katie Connolly.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The Norton Rose Fulbright team is exceptional both in terms of its quality and its geographical reach. I have worked with the Houston office under the brilliant leadership of Kevin O'Gorman and, indeed, am currently working with overseas offices in another matter.’
‘Kevin O'Gorman is outstanding in every way. He has the knowledge and experience to know what's coming over the hill and how best to deal with it, and the intelligence and leadership skills to deploy team members to maximum effect to win a case.’
‘The team gains the trust of the tribunal with its persuasive arguments and outstanding advocacy. It understands that the client's aims are best achieved by focusing on realistic positions and not "trying it on".’
‘Matthew Kirtland is a joy to work with: committed to the client, inventive in his arguments, commercial, realistic and huge fun.’
- ‘Katie Connolly is an up and coming associate. She has an immense capacity for work and distills complex issues into simple drafting admirably.’
Key clients
- The Republic of Kazakhstan
- Woodside Energy (Formerly BHP)
- Global Consulting and Mechanical Services
- Unipec America
Work highlights
- Represented the Republic of Kazakhstan in multiple enforcement proceedings in the US and abroad arising from a $500m Energy Charter Treaty award issued in a contested SCC matter.
- Represented Unipec America in its successful application to confirm an arbitral award obtained against Limetree Bay, which resulted from an underlying $45m arbitration.
- Represented an oil and gas subsidiary in contentious post-award proceedings arising out of an arbitration that concluded in November 2021.
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 associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Katie Connolly
Practice head
Mark Baker; Kevin O’Gorman
Other key lawyers
Matthew Kirtland; Mina Matin; Katie Connolly; Denton Nichols