Arbitration (International)
Europe Guide 2024 : Europe-wide
Band 1
Contact number
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Provided by White & Case LLP
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Chambers Review
Clients mandating White & Case benefit from the firm's globally integrated network of offices, with extensive resources in Paris, London and Frankfurt, as well as Stockholm and the CEE region. Its teams handle a wide range of high-end construction arbitrations, including those relating to major oil and gas and infrastructure projects. The firm enjoys a superb standing for its energy sector arbitration practice, spanning gas price review cases, joint venture disputes and ECT cases. Furthermore, White & Case frequently represents states and investors in high-profile investment arbitrations, often involving Eastern European jurisdictions. Similarly, White & Case is highly visible on matters concerning Latin American and African entities. The firm complements its outstanding offering with impressive strength in annulment proceedings.
Work Highlights
- White & Case represented Daniel W. Kappes and Kappes, and Cassiday & Associates in an ICSID arbitration against Guatemala under the DR-CAFTA. The claim is in relation to the suspension of operations at one of the claimants’ mines and the unlawful interference with the claimants’ ability to obtain an exploitation licence for the second of its projects.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"White & Case has impressed me with the level of deep knowledge and strong capacity to deliver and process significant information in a restricted time."
"The firm has a lot of experience dealing with international arbitration, its ability to understand technical issues is very good. The team is very wide with different capabilities."
“The depth of knowledge at partner level is impressive. They provide targeted guidance to the associates as they proceed with the detailed analysis. Their writing skills are also outstanding; they take the complex and break it down into manageable pieces.”
"They provided timely, rapid and thorough correspondence throughout the process. I would rate them very highly."
"They have a massive presence."
"White & Case has impressed me with the level of deep knowledge and strong capacity to deliver and process significant information in a restricted time."
"The firm has a lot of experience dealing with international arbitration, its ability to understand technical issues is very good. The team is very wide with different capabilities."
“The depth of knowledge at partner level is impressive. They provide targeted guidance to the associates as they proceed with the detailed analysis. Their writing skills are also outstanding; they take the complex and break it down into manageable pieces.”
"They provided timely, rapid and thorough correspondence throughout the process. I would rate them very highly."
"They have a massive presence."
Notable Practitioners
Leading practitioner Michael Polkinghorne is revered for his breadth of expertise in the energy sector, especially gas price reviews. He operates from the firm's Paris office and acts on arbitrations across the entire European continent as well as set-aside proceedings in courts.
"He is very active and has an excellent reputation."
"He's very effective."
An integral member of White & Case's France team, Charles Nairac is well reputed for his expertise in investor-state and commercial arbitrations across the construction, finance and energy sectors. He is experienced in handling proceedings under ICC and ICSID rules, among others.
"Charles is exceptional for arbitration cases. He knows the key arguments we should focus on, he knows all peers in the market; he made an excellent speech in hearing, and is very experienced."
"The best thing for me was seeing his cross-examination and the way he deals with people. It is an absolute joy to watch."
"He is brilliant."
Andrew de Lotbinière McDougall KC acts for states, corporates and state-owned entities on Swiss and London-seated arbitrations under ICC rules, with a particular focus on construction disputes.
"Andrew is very clever and provided great delivery."
Geneva-based Anne Véronique Schlaepfer is regularly mandated by corporates from the energy and construction sectors for her strength in European and global arbitrations under ICC rules. She also handles gas price reviews.
"She is wonderful, very thoughtful and smart. Her advice is always to the point."
"She is extremely able."
Andrea Menaker enjoys a robust reputation for her investor-state work, acting for both sovereign states and investors in disputes under ICSID and ICC rules.
"Andrea is a brilliant lawyer. She has quite an impressive presence, knows the law very well and is very articulate."
"She's a very effective advocate in investment treaty arbitrations, particularly for high-value claims."
Ranked Lawyers at
White & Case LLP
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