Arbitration (International)
Europe Guide 2024 : Europe-wide
Band 1
Contact number
(020) 7872 1000About
Provided by WilmerHale
WilmerHale offers one of the world's premier international arbitration and dispute resolution practices.
Our international arbitration group has been involved in more than 650 proceedings in recent years. We have successfully represented clients in a number of the largest institutional arbitrations and several of the most significant ad hoc arbitrations to arise in the past decade. We have extensive experience with arbitrations administered by all of the major international arbitration institutions (including the ICC, LCIA, AAA/ICDR, SIAC, HKIAC, SCC, VIAC and others), as well as more specialised forms of institutional arbitration and ad hoc arbitrations, including arbitration of public international law issues. We pride ourselves on consistently achieving our clients' objectives through efficient staffing and the use of in-house know-how and precedents.
Centred in the London office, our multinational team consists of more than 70 lawyers in Europe and the United States, all of whom practice principally in the international arbitration field and many of whom specialise in particular areas (such as oil and gas, insurance, joint venture and M&A). Our international arbitration group includes both common and civil law practitioners, and prides itself on working together as an integrated team. In addition to representing clients as counsel, many of our lawyers regularly sit as arbitrators.
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Chambers Review
The elite London-based practice at WilmerHale enjoys a stellar reputation for handling high-end commercial arbitration in a range of areas, most notably in the financial services, pharmaceutical and energy sectors. The firm leverages the presence of high-profile individuals who are widely considered global market leaders to attract roles in major cases on behalf of leading companies. WilmerHale is also revered in investor-state disputes, acting in prominent proceedings with parties from Europe, Africa and Asia. In addition to acting for corporates, the firm is also sought after by state-owned entities operating in the construction and oil and gas sectors. Its team has additional expertise in expropriation issues, defending industrial clients and investors against sovereign states. Further strength is brought through the firm's team members acting as arbitrators in tribunals across Europe.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"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."
"Their exceptional handling of complex and multifaceted matters is a testament to the team's exceptional capabilities and professionalism."
"The lawyers at all levels of seniority at WilmerHale are simply outstanding."
"They are very thorough, in-depth, analytical and professional."
"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."
"Their exceptional handling of complex and multifaceted matters is a testament to the team's exceptional capabilities and professionalism."
"The lawyers at all levels of seniority at WilmerHale are simply outstanding."
"They are very thorough, in-depth, analytical and professional."
Notable Practitioners
Gary Born is widely considered one of the most prominent figures in the global arbitration world. Clients praise his pioneering role, acting as counsel in prominent investor-state and commercial arbitrations under various rules. He also remains sought after as an arbitrator, sitting in various European and international tribunals.
"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. All this and yet he is fun to work with."
"He is a star."
"He is absolutely stellar."
Franz Schwarz is particularly appreciated for his strength in investment treaty arbitrations, where he acts for prominent financial institutions in cases against European states. He also acts for multinational corporates in ICC proceedings.
"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."
Maxi Scherer is in high demand as an arbitrator in commercial and investor-state disputes across Europe under various rules, including those of the ICC and ICSID.
"Maxi is highly knowledgeable and excellent."
"She is a great arbitrator."
"She is outstanding."
London-based Steven Finizio is a sought-after expert in investor-state disputes, acting for American, Asian and European investors in infrastructure, construction and energy disputes under ICSID rules.
"Steve is practical, clear, quick and effective. He has an encyclopaedic 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."
Ranked Lawyers at
WilmerHale
Europe-wide