
- Profile
Accolades
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Debevoise has the best international arbitration team in the world. The team is comprised of many partners who are leading practitioners in the field. Partners and senior associates are exceptionally intelligent, extremely hard-working, very responsive, and have outstanding advocacy skills.’
- ‘I co-counseled on two matters with the IA team headed by Catherine Amirfar. A very diligent, hard-working unit, on top of the detail and very easy to work with. They all had an understanding of the cultural sensitivities in the cases (Middle East-based clients).’
‘I consider the Debevoise team to be at the top of the best (non-boutique) international arbitration practices in the US and globally.’
‘Based on my personal experience, the best individuals are Catherine Amirfar, Natalie Reid and Christopher Tahbaz.’
‘I have had the pleasure of working with a team including Dietmar Prager, Laura Sinisterra and Nawi Ukabiala, one of the best teams I have come across. They worked seamlessly with each other, kept the client regularly updated and had excellent strategic sense when conducting arbitrations.’
‘Mark Friedman is the best possible leader for this team of arbitration superstars. He is extremely intelligent, a superb strategist and advocate and very personable. His oral and written advocacy skills are really impressive and can make the difference in a big case. He is the best arbitration practitioner I know.’
‘Ina Popova is one of the most complete arbitration lawyers I know. Clients are always thrilled to have Ina on their side, as she is extremely intelligent and an outstanding advocate. Ina is also fluent in many languages, which is extremely useful in hearings.’
‘Dietmar Prager stands out for his decisiveness and sharp intellect on the various issues that were presented in the arbitration both on the merits and procedurally. Laura Sinisterra stood out for being always on the ball on all matters relating to the case, and her ability to recall facts and evidence.’
Key clients
- Discovery Communication
- Freeport-McMoRan
- Gramercy Funds Management
- Hydro and a group of Italian investors
- The Republic of Iraq
- SMM Cerro Verde Netherlands
- Tethyan Copper Company (jointly owned by Antofagasta Minerals of Chile and Barrick Gold Corporation of Canada)
Work highlights
- Successfully represented Gramercy Funds Management, and an affiliate, in an UNCITRAL arbitration against the Government of Peru under the US-Peru TPA, arising out of Peru’s efforts to evade payment of agrarian bonds issued in exchange for property expropriated by the government in the 1970s.
- Successfully defended the Government of the Republic of Iraq against ICSID claims in two separate arbitral proceedings, totaling over $1bn.
- Represented Freeport-McMoRan and Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde in an ICSID arbitration against Peru under the US-Peru TPA, involving claims of approximately $1bn.
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
Catherine Amirfar; Mark W. Friedman
Other key lawyers
Dietmar Prager; Natalie Reid; Ina Popova; Laura Sinisterra; Floriane Lavaud; Christopher Tahbaz; Nawi Ukabiala