Jones Day is best known in international arbitration for handling large-scale, politically sensitive commercial and investment treaty disputes, particularly in energy, mining, construction, technology and life sciences, leveraging its fully integrated global team with deep experience in ICSID and UNCITRAL proceedings. In Washington DC, Melissa Gorsline is an investor-state arbitration specialist, leveraging experience under ICSID and UNCITRAL rules, while particularly excelling in treaty-based disputes grounded in public international law, including claims for expropriation, denial of justice and fair and equitable treatment. In New York, Stephen Pearson draws on dual qualification across New York and England & Wales to maintain an active practice across international courts and tribunals. Chicago’s Jeremy Cole is particularly impressive in US and international arbitrations, with experience before major arbitration hubs. San Francisco-based Fahad Habib has a strong legacy in the investor-state arbitration space. In the New York office, Thomas Lynch is a key contact in complex commercial arbitrations arising from M&A, energy and project development, construction and real estate, financial products and securities.
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Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘They have a deep bench’
‘Melissa Gorsline has excellent subject matter knowledge and great advocate.’
‘Considering the topic we are working on with Jones Day, we believe that Jones Day possesses a solid expertise in the legal systems of Middle Eastern countries and in dispute resolution methods, and that it has skilled lawyers to follow these matters.’
'Jones Day’s international arbitration team is unique for its exceptional partner involvement. In investor-state cases, partners do not just set the strategy—they personally draft key submissions, prepare for hearings and remain consistently available to the client. This distinguishes them from many firms.'
Key clients
- Windoor AS
- World Wide Minerals Ltd.
- The Internet Corporation For Assigned Names and Numbers
Work highlights
Represented Estonian construction and architecture company Windoor AS in an ICSID claim against Kazakhstan after the state failed to pay for work on a new international business and conference centre in Astana and refused to recognize an SCC tribunal’s ruling on the dispute.
Represented Canadian uranium mining company WWM in its treaty claims against the Republic of Kazakhstan ("RoK"), arising out of the destruction of its uranium mining investment in the late 1990s.
Representing ICANN in a case pertaining to legal rights to the domain name for the generic Top Level Domain .WEB. Altanovo Domains Limited (an Irish entity) has raised claims against the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN, a California public benefit corporation) relating to its articles of incorporation and bylaws.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Melissa Gorsline; Stephen Pearson; Jeremy Cole; Fahad Habib; Thomas Lynch