Confirming its status as a ‘market leading international arbitration team with a very strong bench’, King & Spalding consistently handles the enforcement and annulment of arbitral awards and parallel court proceedings before U.S. and foreign courts. The group showcases longstanding strength in disputes arising from energy, natural resources, construction and infrastructure projects, and has expanded its litigation capability into M&A, private equity and other high-stakes commercial disputes, with deep experience handling sovereign and state-adjacent matters across Latin America and other emerging markets. Leading the team is Houston-based Wade Coriell, a seasoned arbitration practitioner with a prominent energy disputes practice, and Atlanta’s Elizabeth Silbert, who exhibits stellar arbitration expertise, routinely leading on cases exceeding US $1 billion in dispute. Also based in Houston is Craig Miles who is a key player in ICSID awards. New York’s Samaa Haridi, Miami-based Harry Burnett and Washington, DC-based Matthew McGill and Aloysius Llamzon are all key arbitration figures within the group.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- The professional team was excellent, always available and quick to respond. Their writing was solid, and their memos were clear and to the point. Special mention to Harry Burnett, partner in charge, who is an excellent professional and human being.
- The firm presented a comprehensive analysis with alternatives at every stage of the dispute.
Key clients
- Petersen Energía
- Webuild S.p.A. (formerly Salini Impregilo S.p.A.)
- Prime Energy Resources Development B.V.
- Sanitek S.a.r.l.
- Refinería de Cartagena S.A. (Reficar)
Work highlights
Secured a major victory for Italian construction group Webuild S.p.A. (formerly Salini Impregilo S.p.A.) following a decade-long ICSID arbitration against Argentina.
Representing Prime Energy in an ICSID arbitration against the Republic of the Philippines under the Philippines–Netherlands BIT, securing a long-awaited jurisdictional award in May 2025.
Representing claimants Sanitek S.a.r.l., Sari Haddad and Elias Doumet in an ICSID arbitration against the Republic of Armenia involving alleged breaches of the Lebanon-Armenia and the Canada-Armenia BIT’s related to Sanitek’s investments in Yerevan’s waste management system.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Wade M. Coriell; Elizabeth Silbert
Other key lawyers
Craig Miles; Samaa Haridi; Harry Burnett; Matthew McGill; Erica Franzetti; Fernando Rodriguez-Cortina; Eldy Q. Roche; Aloysius Llamzon