James L Loftis

Practice Areas

James heads Vinson & Elkins' International Dispute Resolution practice, and focuses his practice on the arbitration and litigation of international commercial and investor-state disputes, and counseling in matters involving public international law and treaties. He acts both as counsel and as arbitrator.

His practice includes disputes involving all aspects of energy, construction, and infrastructure development; disputes under investment laws and treaties; and boundary disputes, cross-border technology disputes, and sovereign debt. He also represents and advises clients in reviews under U.S. national security law. Since 2009, James has been an adjunct professor at the University of Texas School of Law, where he teaches investor-state and international commercial arbitration.

From 1997 to 2000, James served in Geneva, Switzerland, as chief counsel for the Oil Sector (E1) and Construction and Engineering (E3) Panels of the United Nations Compensation Commission (the Gulf War claim tribunal). He maintains offices in London and Houston, and is admitted in Texas, in the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts, and in the Senior Courts of England and Wales.

In addition, James serves on the firm’s Pro Bono Committee.

Career

Associate and Partner, Vinson & Elkins LLP – 1990 – 1997; 2000 – 2020 (Houston, Moscow, and London);

Senior Legal Officer, United Nations Compensation Commission, Geneva, Switzerland 1997 – 2000;

Adjunct Professor of Law, The University of Texas at Austin, School of Law – 2009 – 2020

Professional Memberships

State Bar of Texas; Bars of the United States Fifth and Federal Circuits; all federal district courts in Texas (attorney, admitted to practice);

Senior Courts of England & Wales (solicitor);

Courts of the Dubai International Financial Centre (Practioner)