International Commercial Arbitration
Strategic counsel in complex cross-border commercial disputes before the world’s leading arbitral institutions — ICC, ICDR/AAA, UNCITRAL, and ad hoc tribunals.
From emergency relief through enforcement, across the Americas and Europe.
OVERVIEW
Cross-Border Disputes Demand Specialized Counsel
International commercial arbitration is the primary mechanism for resolving cross-border business disputes. When contracts involve parties in different jurisdictions, governed by different legal traditions, and subject to differing procedural expectations, arbitration provides a neutral, enforceable, and confidential forum for resolution.
Effective arbitration counsel must combine substantive mastery of the governing law with deep procedural fluency across institutional frameworks. The firm brings this dual competence to every engagement — drawing on extensive experience as both counsel and arbitrator to deliver advocacy informed by a comprehensive understanding of how tribunals evaluate evidence, assess credibility, and render decisions.
The firm serves both as counsel and, where appropriate, as arbitrator, with substantial experience in each role, subject to applicable conflicts and independence standards.
OVERVIEW
Our Approach
A disciplined, phase-based methodology from initial assessment through award enforcement.
1. Case Assesment
- Conflicts check and engagement
- Comprehensive case assessment memorandum
- Identification of interim relief requirements
- Evidence preservation and document hold protocols
- Forum, seat, and governing law analysis
2. Case Assesment
- Drafting of request for arbitration or response
- Tribunal constitution co-arbitrator nomination and chair selection
- Procedural timetable negotiation
- Document management and production strategy
- Preliminary damages and quantum framework
3. Case Assesment
- Written memorial advocacy
- Witness and expert preparation and coordination
- Oral hearing advocacy
- Post-hearing submissions and cost applications
- Enforcement planning from the outset of proceedings
SECTORS
Types of Disputes
We handle complex commercial disputes across a range of industries and transaction structures.
Supply & Distribution
Cross-border supply agreements, distribution terminations, and exclusive dealing disputes across multiple jurisdictions.
Joint Ventures & Shareholder Disputes
Deadlock resolution, valuation disputes, fiduciary duty claims, and forced buyouts in international joint ventures.
Construction & Infrastructure
Delay claims, defective performance, variation disputes, and multi-party construction arbitrations.
Energy & Natural Resources
Concession agreements, off-take disputes, regulatory renegotiation, and resource extraction conflicts.
Financial Services
Derivatives disputes, fund management conflicts, banking relationship terminations, and cross-border financial restructuring.
Technology & Licensing
SaaS licensing breaches, IP disputes, technology transfer agreements, and data-related commercial conflicts.
SECTORS
Institutional Experience
Extensive experience across the world’s principal arbitral institutions.
The world’s leading arbitral institution. We have extensive experience conducting proceedings under the 2021 ICC Rules, including expedited procedures and the ICC Emergency Arbitrator mechanism.
The international division of the American Arbitration Association and the premier Americas-based forum. We regularly handle ICDR proceedings in Miami, New York, and across Latin America.
Ad hoc arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules provides maximum procedural flexibility. We advise on institutional versus ad hoc structures and administer proceedings under these rules.
Certain disputes require tailored arbitral frameworks outside institutional rules. We design and conduct ad hoc proceedings suited to the commercial and legal context of each matter.
CAPABILITIES
Procedural Expertise
Depth across the procedural dimensions that define the outcome of complex arbitrations.
Interim & Emergency Relief
Applications to emergency arbitrators and national courts for provisional measures, asset preservation orders, and anti-suit injunctions.
Document Production
Strategic requests under the IBA Rules on the Taking of Evidence, including targeted Redfern Schedule applications and privilege objections.
Jurisdictional Objections
Challenges to arbitral jurisdiction, including objections based on arbitration agreement validity, scope, privity, and group-of-companies doctrine.
Multi-Party & Multi-Contract
Joinder, consolidation, and coordination of proceedings involving multiple parties, related contracts, or parallel arbitrations.
Parallel Proceedings
Management of concurrent arbitrations, court proceedings, and regulatory investigations across jurisdictions.
Enforcement & Set-Aside
Post-award proceedings under the New York Convention, including enforcement actions and annulment applications at the seat.
CAPABILITIES
Cross-Border Capability
Americas ↔ Europe
Offices in Miami, Madrid, and Paris — positioned at the intersection of the Americas and Europe for seamless cross-border arbitration practice.
Common + Civil Law
Deep fluency in both common law and civil law procedural traditions, enabling effective advocacy regardless of the governing law or procedural framework.
Trilingual Practice
We conduct arbitrations in English, Spanish, and French — and coordinate multilingual proceedings, translation, and witness preparation across all three languages.
EXPERIENCE
Representative Matters
Select anonymized engagements. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
ENERGY• ICC — Paris
Experience
Cross-Border Capability
What is the typical timeline for an international commercial arbitration?
The duration of an arbitration depends on the complexity of the dispute, the number of parties involved, and the applicable procedural rules. Straightforward matters may be resolved within 6–12 months, while complex, high-value disputes often require 12–24 months or longer. Expedited procedures are available under certain institutional rules and can significantly shorten the timeline.
How are arbitration costs structured?
Arbitration costs typically include tribunal fees, institutional administrative fees, legal counsel fees, expert witness expenses, translation services, and hearing-related costs. Depending on the applicable rules and the tribunal’s decision, some or all costs may be allocated to the unsuccessful party at the conclusion of the proceedings.
How does the tribunal selection process work?
Tribunals are usually composed of one or three arbitrators. In three-member tribunals, each party commonly appoints one arbitrator, and the two appointed arbitrators select the presiding arbitrator. Institutional rules may provide appointment mechanisms when parties cannot agree. Selecting arbitrators with appropriate subject-matter expertise and procedural experience is often critical to the outcome of the dispute.
Can arbitral awards be enforced internationally?
Yes. One of arbitration’s principal advantages is the broad international enforceability of awards under the New York Convention, which has been adopted by more than 170 jurisdictions worldwide. Subject to limited exceptions, courts in convention states generally recognize and enforce foreign arbitral awards.
Is arbitration confidential?
Confidentiality depends on the governing rules, applicable law, and party agreements. Many institutional frameworks provide confidentiality protections, and parties frequently include additional confidentiality provisions in arbitration agreements. However, confidentiality obligations can vary significantly across jurisdictions.
Can emergency or interim measures be obtained?
Yes. Many arbitral institutions provide emergency arbitrator procedures that allow parties to seek urgent relief before the tribunal is fully constituted. In addition, parties may seek provisional measures from national courts where permitted by law, including asset preservation orders, injunctions, and evidence preservation measures.
What languages do you conduct arbitrations in?
We regularly conduct arbitrations in English, Spanish, and French and coordinate multilingual proceedings involving translation, document review, witness preparation, and hearing advocacy. Additional language support can be arranged through specialized interpreters and translators when required.
Do you serve as both arbitrator and counsel?
Yes. Subject to applicable conflicts, independence requirements, and ethical obligations, we serve both as arbitration counsel and as arbitrators. Experience in both roles provides valuable insight into tribunal decision-making, procedural management, evidentiary assessment, and award drafting.
RESOURCE
Checklist for the First Month of International Commercial Arbitration
A step-by-step guide covering ICDR and ICC procedures, filing deadlines, arbitrator selection, and key tasks for the critical first 30 days.
The information on this page is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney–client relationship is formed by use of this website. All engagements are subject to a conflicts check and execution of an engagement letter. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Discuss Your Matter
Request a confidential consultation regarding an international commercial arbitration. All inquiries are subject to a conflicts review.