LAWYER PROFILE
José I Astigarraga

José I Astigarraga

Global 2026

Chambers ranking badge
Chambers ranking badge

Ranked in 3 practice areas

About

Provided by Reed Smith LLP

Practice Areas

Described as “a brilliant strategist who always has absolute command of the subject matter and is always prepared,” José Astigarraga is both an experienced arbitrator and an advocate who represents clients in international business disputes.

José is one of only six lawyers worldwide ranked by Chambers in the top band of international arbitration practitioners for Latin America and one of only nine lawyers ranked in the top band of international arbitration practitioners in the United States.

Cited for his “extraordinary critical thinking skills, strategic planning, extensive international relationships and depth of experience”, which “put him on a level all by himself,” he served on the ICC’s Arbitration Commission for years, co-chaired its Task Force on the Accuracy of Witness Memory, and served as vice president of the LCIA for much of his 10 years on the Court.

He led the IBA’s worldwide Task Force on the Guidelines for Arbitrator Conflicts of Interest. He was appointed by the U.S. Government to advise the NAFTA Commission on the promotion of international arbitration, and served as expert for the U.S. Department of State before the Organization of American States.

Sources: Chambers Latin America 2020; Chambers USA 2020; Chambers Latin America 2017, 2014; Chambers USA 2011.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Global Guide

Arbitration (International) - Latin America - International Counsel

Eminent Practitioner
Eminent Practitioners

Individual Editorial

Eminent practitioner José Astigarraga holds a position of immense respect in the Latin American arbitration market. He uses his exceptional knowledge of arbitration matters to assist an array of prestigious corporate clients with highly sophisticated commercial and investor-state arbitration cases throughout the region.

International Arbitration: Counsel - USA

Band 1
Band 1

Individual Editorial
José Astigarraga is the global head of the practice. He is held in high regard for his expertise in complex and high value commercial disputes, fielding particular strength in Latin America matters.

Arbitration (International) - Global Market Leaders

Band 3
Band 3

Individual Editorial

José Astigarraga offers a wide-ranging international arbitration practice that often sees him handling big-ticket commercial arbitrations in the USA and Latin America. He is well recognised for his proficiency in the energy sector as well as on infrastructure and construction projects, and major corporations, sovereign states, and investors are among his clientele.

International Arbitration - USA

Foreign Expert
Foreign expert in Latin America-wide

Individual Editorial
José Astigarraga is the global head of the practice. He is held in high regard for his expertise in complex and high value commercial disputes, fielding particular strength in Latin America matters.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • José Astigarraga is a great lawyer who presents effective strategies in arbitration proceedings.

    Arbitration (International)Chambers Global Guide
  • José is very well respected and fluent in Spanish.

    International Arbitration: CounselChambers Global Guide
  • Jose is a fierce advocate and extremely well-rounded.

    International Arbitration: CounselChambers Global Guide

Ranked Individuals at Reed Smith LLP (85)

Asia-Pacific Region

Belgium

Brazil

  • Profile image of Rafael Szmid
    Rafael Szmid

    Corporate Crime & Investigations (International Firms)

    View profile

China

  • Profile image of Denise Jong
    Denise Jong

    Corporate/M&A: Hong Kong-based (International Firms)

    View profile
  • Profile image of Anthony Woo
    Anthony Woo

    Corporate/M&A: Hong Kong-based (International Firms)

    View profile
  • Profile image of Lianjun Li
    Lianjun Li

    Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (International Firms)

    View profile
  • Profile image of Matthew Townsend
    Matthew Townsend

    Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (International Firms)

    View profile
  • Profile image of Donald Sham
    Donald Sham

    Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (International Firms)

    View profile
  • Profile image of Asha Sharma
    Asha Sharma

    Dispute Resolution: Litigation (International Firms)

    View profile
  • Profile image of Eric Lin
    Eric Lin

    Energy & Natural Resources (International Firms)

    View profile
  • Profile image of Jill Wong
    Jill Wong

    Financial Services: Contentious Regulatory (International Firms)

    View profile
  • Profile image of Jill Wong
    Jill Wong

    Financial Services: Non-contentious Regulatory (International Firms)

    View profile
  • Profile image of Donald Sham
    Donald Sham

    Shipping: Litigation (International Firms)

    View profile
  • Profile image of Zeldar Wang
    Zeldar Wang

    Shipping: Litigation (International Firms)

    View profile
  • Profile image of Barbara Li
    Barbara Li

    TMT: Data Protection & Privacy (International Firms)

    View profile

France

Germany

  • Profile image of Christian Filippitsch
    Christian Filippitsch

    Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad

    View profile

Global Market Leaders

Greece

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership