LAWYER PROFILE
Nigel Blackaby KC

Nigel Blackaby KC

Latin America 2026

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Freshfields US LLP
 Freshfields US LLP

Ranked in 1 practice area

International Arbitration

International Counsel

5 years ranked

About

Provided by Freshfields US LLP

Practice Areas

International Arbitration; Investor-State Arbitration; Energy; Natural Resources; Manufacturing; Agriculture and Food Distribution; Aviation; Telecommunications.

Career

Nigel Blackaby KC is a Washington, DC based international arbitration partner and is Co-head of the firm's Latin America group. Cited by clients as an “undisputed leader in his field”, Nigel is a civil and common law trained lawyer who has acted as counsel and arbitrator in more than 100 ad hoc and institutional arbitrations, both commercial and investor-state, in English, Spanish and French with a focus on natural resources and Latin America.

Nigel is widely recognized as a leading authority in international arbitration. He is recognized as a Global Elite Thought Leader – and one of the US’s most prominent arbitration practitioners – by Lexology Index (formerly Who's Who Legal). In January 2020, Nigel was honored with the appointment of King’s Counsel, for his excellence in advocacy (only one of a handful of English solicitor advocates to receive that distinction).

Nigel serves as an adjunct professor of investment arbitration at American University Washington College of Law. He speaks English, French, Spanish and Portuguese.

See full profile here: https://www.freshfields.us/contacts/find-a-lawyer/b/blackaby-nigel/

Professional Memberships

Member of the Court of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC); Board member of the international commission of the Centro Internacional de Arbitraje de Madrid.

Publications

Nigel is the co-author of the leading texts "Redfern and Hunter on International Arbitration" (fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh editions, Oxford University Press), "A Guide to ICSID Arbitration" (first and second editions, Kluwer), and "International Arbitration in Latin America" (Kluwer, 2003).

Awards

500 Leading Lawyers in America

Lawdragon

2025

Global Elite Thought Leader, Arbitration

Lexology Index

2025

Global Elite Thought Leader, Arbitration

Lexology Index

2022

Hall of Fame, Latin America

The Legal 500

2024

Hall of Fame, USA

The Legal 500

2025

Litigation Star

Benchmark Litigation US Guide

2025

Key sectors

Aviation and AerospaceEnergy and UtilitiesIndustrials, Engineering and ManufacturingResources and MiningProperty, Construction and Infrastructure

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Latin America

International Arbitration - International Counsel

Band 1
Individual Editorial
Distinguished practitioner Nigel Blackaby is held in high esteem by clients and peers alike. He is noted for his undisputed experience handling some of the most high-profile and sophisticated commercial and investment treaty arbitration cases throughout Latin America.
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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Nigel Blackaby has vast experience and intelligence. He uses his strategic vision of cases and his leadership skills to bring out the best in his team for the benefit of the client.

    International ArbitrationChambers Latin America

  • Nigel Blackaby impresses with his work, arguments and knowledge of arbitrations.

    International ArbitrationChambers Latin America

Ranked Individuals at Freshfields US LLP (5)

International Counsel

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