Department profile
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

International Arbitration: Counsel

USA Guide 2026 : USA - Nationwide


Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

For more information about Cleary Gottlieb's International Arbitration practice, please visit https://www.clearygottlieb.com/practice-landing/international-arbitration

Chambers Review

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International Arbitration: Counsel - USA - Nationwide


What the Team is Known For
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton is recognized for its significant expertise in representing sovereign states in arbitral disputes across a range of jurisdictions and a full array of arbitral rules, drawing upon an integrated global network of arbitration experts when advising on multijurisdictional disputes. Also acts on behalf of investors, and offers wider skills in commercial arbitration and related arbitral litigation matters. Handles disputes in a wide range of sectors, including oil and gas, telecommunications and banking.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Cleary advised Pluspetrol Resources Corporation in an ICC claim brought by Perupetro, alleging the company voluntarily liquidated itself in bad faith and in order to avoid environmental liabilities in connection with an hydrocarbon exploration license in Peru, and subsequently wrongfully claimed the license had been terminated.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • They're very bright lawyers who always make themselves available and dig in very deep with intellectual rigor. They're very team-oriented as well and they excel at condensing complicated strategic issues and finding the pivot points to focus on.

    International Arbitration: Counsel respondentUSA
  • They're very experienced, hardworking, intuitive and smart. At the same type, they're very normal people that are easy to work with. They have long lasting relations with clients and really know their business.

    International Arbitration: Counsel respondentUSA
  • Cleary has a deep bench of arbitration expertise and the cross-practice skills to litigate matters in any substantive area of law. They're strategically and discerningly aggressive - with the precision of surgeons rather than bludgeons. Their inter-practice work is where they really shine; it's a huge value add.

    International Arbitration: Counsel respondentUSA
  • Cleary’s department stands out for its ability to handle complex, high stakes disputes with strong cross-border coordination and strategic clarity. The team combines significant depth at partner level with a strong and technically capable associate bench and they are consistently responsive, accessible, and proactive. Communication is clear and timely, even in fast-moving, high stakes matters involving multiple jurisdictions.

    International Arbitration: Counsel respondentUSA
  • Their work is very fast and of very high quality. I always feel confident that they know what they're doing and, when you see the work, it's clearly of very high quality. They know the industry in detail, which allows them to have a thorough understanding of the commercial aspects involved. This, naturally, allows them to have a broader approach when drafting briefs or preparing for hearings.

    International Arbitration: Counsel respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Jeffrey Rosenthal
    Band 1Jeffrey Rosenthal

    Jeffrey Rosenthal

    Jeffrey Rosenthal is an experienced litigator with particular strength in cross-border disputes. His practice includes serving as counsel in arbitration and handling the courtroom enforcement of awards.
    • Jeffrey combines outstanding technical expertise with exceptional strategic vision in complex cross-border disputes.

      International Arbitration: Counsel respondentUSA
    • Jeff is one of one. He is aggressive but strategically so - he is constantly searching for new and creative approaches and he is obsessed with excellence.

      International Arbitration: Counsel respondentUSA
    • Jeff is a war machine. He is a very sophisticated, smart, experienced and tenacious litigator who excels at trial skills and strategy. He comes up to speed quickly, and his collaborative working style encourages and extracts substantial value from his team.

      International Arbitration: Counsel respondentUSA
  • Band 4Ari D MacKinnon
    Band 4Ari D MacKinnon

    Ari D MacKinnon

    Ari MacKinnon centers his practice on commercial arbitrations arising from Latin America. He is also experienced in enforcement matters.
    • He is the smartest lawyer I've met. He is extremely intelligent and speaks excellent Spanish and is very culturally adjusted to the LatAM region - that has a lot of value.

      International Arbitration: Counsel respondentUSA
    • He's incredibly good. He understands the details of the case and is deep in the legal analysis. The product he delivers is excellent.

      International Arbitration: Counsel respondentUSA
    • He's committed to the client and he's studious, thorough and refined.

      International Arbitration: Counsel respondentUSA
    • Ari is extraordinary. He's a good lawyer who is intelligent, prepares himself with precision and a good team leader.

      International Arbitration: Counsel respondentUSA
    • Ari is an exceptional professional, who is attentive, quick, insightful and excellent in his approach.

      International Arbitration: Counsel respondentUSA
  • Up and ComingKatie Gonzalez
    Up and ComingKatie Gonzalez

    Katie Gonzalez

    Katie Gonzalez enjoys a burgeoning reputation for her international disputes practice, which sees her advising businesses and sovereigns on treaty claims and wider commercial disputes.

    • She had impressive dedication to our case.

      International Arbitration: Counsel respondentUSA
    • Katie Gonzalez is an exceptional professional.

      International Arbitration: Counsel respondentUSA

Ranked Individuals at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP (4)

USA - Nationwide

Members

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Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP has rankings in the following guides

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