Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Dispute Resolution - Africa-wide
What the Team is Known For
Cleary Gottlieb has a highly respected international arbitration and litigation practice centred in Paris, with a wealth of experience acting principally for North and francophone African governments, as well as their state-owned entities, in addition to growing capabilities in anglophone Africa. The firm is renowned for its robust investment treaty practice, which acts for states as well as investors. Its lawyers offer considerable expertise in disputes relating to the natural resources and financial services industries. The firm also acts for prominent corporate clients on criminal investigations.
Strengths
The Cleary team handles complexity phenomenally well.
The team is experienced in a wide range of matters. They have great global expertise and are very thorough and detail-oriented. Cleary has an excellent international arbitration practice.
Work Highlights
Cleary defended the Federal Republic of Nigeria in ICSID proceedings brought against it by Shell in connection with an oil spill in the Niger delta which took place during the Nigerian Civil War.
Notable practitioners
He is a serious person who is easy to work with. He is senior and experienced, and has an excellent command of the law.
Up-and-coming partner Laurie Achtouk-Spivak is based in Paris. She has considerable experience representing sovereign states and is well placed to assist with cases conducted under various arbitral rules, including those of the ICC and ICSID.
Laurie is a professional's professional. She has a very easy way of going about her job and knows exactly what she is doing.
Laurie is sharp, with a lot of experience working in Africa. She is definitely someone I would recommend.