Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Public International Law - Global Market Leaders
What the Team is Known For
An established market leader with a reputation for excellence in international arbitration and PIL, Debevoise & Plimpton has cultivated an excellent reputation across Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Asia markets. The law firm offers:
• Expertise in securing large arbitral awards in high-profile commercial and investment treaty disputes.
• Representation of both investors and respondent states to act in cases under ICC, ICSID and UNCITRAL rules.
• Outstanding experience in 'pure' PIL matters, including state-to-state human rights claims and maritime boundary disputes.
Strengths
I resort to the Debevoise team when I want excellent lawyers in an ongoing arbitration.
The entire team is excellent. They have the knowledge, approach, attitude and work ethic.
Debevoise have done it all. Whatever the problem they can draw from their experience, making them very creative.
Notable practitioners
As co-chair of Debevoise & Plimpton’s public international law group, New York-based Catherine Amirfar is a highly-regarded practitioner in the field of PIL and international arbitration. She possesses significant expertise in matters concerning state-to-state disputes, international criminal law, investment treaty arbitration and climate change litigation before international courts and tribunals.
Catherine is calm and steady and she is accessible, engaged, and humble. She herself commands true respect all over the world.
I find Catherine's dedication to the greater good extraordinary.
Catherine Amirfar knows all types of arbitration inside out. Her advocacy skills are also very impressive
New York and London-based Mark Friedman currently serves as co-chair of Debevoise’s international dispute resolution group. He is commended and recognised as a prominent practitioner in the international arbitration market. With a distinguished background, he maintains a broad practice which sees him represent international corporations and investors in complex commercial and investment treaty arbitrations before major arbitral tribunals.
Mark Friedman is extremely pragmatic and very solutions-oriented.
Mark is one of the most talented writers and speakers I've met.
What makes Mark different is that he has a high communication focus. He also drafts compelling legal arguments and breaks down legal concepts to clients very well.
Based in London, Lord Peter Goldsmith KC is recognised as an esteemed and renowned international arbitration and PIL practitioner. With a distinguished career history as the UK's former Attorney General, Peter Goldsmith has acted in ground-breaking cases concerning novel issues of international law. He continues to be often called upon by sovereign states and multinational corporations to handle complex international disputes concerning investment treaty arbitration, human rights, maritime law and state responsibility.
Peter Goldsmith is great and has a wealth of experience.
Peter has the skills that every co-counsel and client is looking for. He has a way of pleading cases and he is respectful amongst his peers.
Peter Goldsmith stands out with his tailor-fit advice and his vast wealth of knowledge and experience in arbitration and public international law.
Natalie Reid serves as co-chair of Debevoise’s public international law group. She has established an impressive practice focused on representing sovereign states, global corporations, NGOs and other international entities in high-stakes disputes. Natalie holds deep knowledge of international human rights issues as well as ESG matters.
Natalie has exceptional leadership skills and a client-focused approach
Natalie is a very good professional and is responsive to the clients' needs.
Natalie Reid is excellent and very personable.
Dietmar Prager possesses considerable experience in handling arbitrations relating to energy and natural resources. Frequently advising on US and Latin American mandates, Prager remains a solid choice for international investors and foreign companies.
Dietmar is very good and a reliable pair of hands. He is always available, and accommodating.
Dietmar is very easy to work with and has good client relations. He is particularly good in procedural aspects of international arbitration and discussing procedural strategies.
Dietmar is very organised and focused on the case. He discusses all of the details and identifies all the flaws of the case and the strong points.
London-based Jeffrey Sullivan KC is a leading practitioner possessing longstanding experience in representing an impressive roster of international clients before major arbitral tribunals under ICSID, UNCITRAL and LCIA rules. Sullivan has an established reputation for leading arbitrations across a plethora of sectors and industries, notably energy and infrastructure.
Jeffrey is brilliant, pragmatic and a great team leader. He is a pleasure to work with.
Jeffrey is a reliable professional with deep expertise in energy law matters.
Ina Popova is a noted international arbitration practitioner based in Debevoise's New York office. She is recognized for her representation of multinational companies, sovereign states and other high-profile clients in large scale and high value arbitrations.
Ina is brilliant. She speaks 6 languages fluently, writes beautifully, and is excellent with clients and co-counsel. She is a pleasure to work with and her advocacy is top-notch.
Ina is very intelligent and she has a very good knowledge of arbitrations.
Ina is proactive, and goes above and beyond for me to ensure cases are handled with utmost attention