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Steptoe LLP

Steptoe LLP

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United States • Dispute resolution

5

International arbitration

Steptoe LLP operates across energy, infrastructure, banking and sovereign-related disputes, regularly acting for Fortune 100 companies, state-owned enterprises and sovereign states. The practice stands out for its ICSID-heavy caseload and award enforcement work. Leading the team from Washington DC is Steven Davidson, who deals with judgment and award enforcement, sovereign-facing disputes and multi-forum proceedings, and is especially noted for representing Fortune 500 companies in politically sensitive and enforcement-heavy arbitrations. Also in Washington DC is Michael Baratz, a reference for proceedings under ICSID, ICC, AAA and FINRA rules, combining arbitral advocacy with post-award recovery and enforcement strategy worldwide. In New York, Chris Paparella has strong credentials in financial services-related arbitrations and in Los Angeles, Thomas Watson focuses on bet-the-company disputes involving energy, finance and cross-border commercial matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Accolades

Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: NPS ®

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • I cannot compare to other firms. We have found the company very responsive and reliable; we were always kept up to date. They are able to draw on a wide base of expertise.
  • Our main contact is Christophe Bondy, who always provides prompt, clear, and insightful responses. He is an excellent team leader who built and led a highly effective team on our case. He demonstrates sound strategic judgment and understanding of international investment treaty arbitration. His outstanding legal knowledge and meticulous attention to detail, along with his impressive ability to manage highly complex issues, are commendable.

Key clients

  • Técnicas Reunidas and Samsung C&T
  • Exxon Mobil
  • KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORP. and KOREA HYDRO NUCLEAR POWER CO
  • BlackRock
  • Alpene Ltd.
  • Iberdrola Energy Projects
  • Amaplat Mauritius Limited|Amari Nickel Holdings Zimbabwe Limited
  • Vercara
  • West African Aquaculture Ltd and Others
  • The von Pezold family & Border Timbers
  • Ace Engineering
  • Técnicas Reunidas and Samsung C&T

Work highlights

Representing STR (Samsung & Técnicas Reunidas) in a London-seated ICC arbitration. STR was the main contractor under an Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) Contract MGT Teesside (“MGT”) for the construction of what would be the world’s largest biomass power plant.
Enforced ICC and ICSID awards in favor of five subsidiaries of ExxonMobil against the Government of Venezuela PDVSA CN.
Representing Korea Electric Power Corp. and Korea Hydro Nuclear Power Co in international arbitration matters as a result of the litigation brought by Westinghouse Electric Company LLC against the Clients in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia on October 21, 2022, Case No. 1:22-cv-03228-APM.
Practice head

Steven Davidson

Other key lawyers

Chris Paparella; Thomas Watson; Michael Baratz; Christophe Bondy

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