International Arbitration: Investor-State Arbitration

WilmerHale has an outstanding international arbitration practice with an enviable track record of handling complex institutional and ad hoc arbitrations. The team has significant experience in the oil and gas, telecoms, financial and technology sectors. Its members appear before tribunals seated across a number of arbitration hubs, including London, Stockholm, Singapore and Paris, often in connection with multimillion and multibillion-dollar disputes. It also has expertise acting for states and corporations in arbitrations concerning investment treaties, including BITs. The firm's practitioners are experienced in acting under the auspices of institutions such as the ICC and LCIA.

“The lawyers at all levels of seniority at WilmerHale are simply outstanding."

“Their exceptional handling of complex and multifaceted matters is a testament to the team's exceptional capabilities and professionalism.”

“They are always exceeding expectations. The team have gone through a variety of cases in various jurisdictions and have gathered excellent experience. This makes them not only great lawyers but also very commercially minded.”

WilmerHale continued to represent a European pharmaceutical company in a USD3 billion ICC arbitration proceeding against a Japanese pharmaceutical company relating to the payment of royalties under a licence agreement.

Chair of the firm's international arbitration group, Gary Born is a market-leading arbitration practitioner at the forefront of complex and high-value commercial and investment treaty disputes. He maintains a truly international presence, acting as counsel and arbitrator in disputes across the Middle East, the USA and South America, among other jurisdictions. He is well versed in a range of proceedings, including those under ICC, ICSID and UNCITRAL rules. “When I want to get a really good read about how an arbitration is going to go and how the players are going to respond, I go to Gary.” “Gary Born combines excellent strategic advice with first-class market and sector knowledge. He is solutions-driven and gets the job done quickly, efficiently and effectively. I cannot recommend Gary highly enough." "Gary has an exhaustive knowledge, a keen intellect and stunning communication skills. He has all of this and he is fun to work with. He wields his expertise with charm.”

Steven Finizio has a comprehensive arbitration practice. He is particularly active representing investors in the energy and telecoms markets, and his practice includes disputes held under ICC, SCC and UNCITRAL rules. “Steve is practical, clear, quick and effective. He has an encyclopedic understanding of the arbitration process and arbitration clauses.” “Steven has always exceeded expectations across the board. He is very proactive, solution-driven and commercially minded. He always sees to the core of the issue in the most complicated cases and is not distracted by other overlapping issues.” “He is an exceptionally knowledgeable lawyer with a deep understanding of various legal systems and an unmatched commercial awareness, He keeps the client's best interests in mind in every aspect of his work.”

Franz Schwarz is vice chair of the firm's international arbitration group. He has notable credentials in the pharmaceutical and banking sectors, and regularly acts in arbitrations governed by ICSID and ICC rules. “Franz is one of my favourite lawyers; he is brilliant in all respects. He's very pleasant and an excellent leader." “He can do any kind of case and is a really forceful advocate.”

Charlie Caher's practice sees him advising clients in the engineering and energy sectors, among others. He is adept at handling ICC and LCIA arbitrations, with notable experience in construction-related disputes. “Charlie Caher stands out for his crisp and clear advice, his ability to communicate with people at all levels, and his ability to get strong outcomes in disputes.” “Charlie is a fantastically able lawyer with an unflappable manner and impeccable judgement. I cannot recommend him highly enough.” “He has incredible command of the law and an incredible sense of the ebb and flow of disputes.” “Mr Caher's preparation and depth of understanding of the case showed in every turn of phrase and every question he posed.”