Ranking tables
Arbitration (International) | Global
Global Market Leaders
Rankings overview for Departments
Band 1
Band 2
Band 3
- A&O Shearman 7 Years Ranked
- Clifford Chance LLP 5 Years Ranked
- Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP 5 Years Ranked
- Foley Hoag LLP 5 Years Ranked
- Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes 5 Years Ranked
- Lalive 5 Years Ranked
- Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates 5 Years Ranked
- WilmerHale
Band 4
- DLA Piper LLP 5 Years Ranked
- Hogan Lovells 5 Years Ranked
- Latham & Watkins LLP 5 Years Ranked
- Sidley Austin LLP 5 Years Ranked
- Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
Star Individuals
- Constantine Partasides KC Three Crowns LLP19 Years Ranked
- Gary BornWilmerHale
Band 1
- Abby Cohen Smutny White & Case LLP23 Years Ranked
- Eduardo Silva Romero Wordstone Dispute Resolution20 Years Ranked
- Fernando Mantilla-Serrano Latham & Watkins LLP21 Years Ranked
- Nigel Blackaby KC Freshfields US LLP23 Years Ranked
- Yas Banifatemi Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes18 Years Ranked
- Catherine AmirfarDebevoise & Plimpton LLP
Band 2
- Carolyn Lamm White & Case LLP24 Years Ranked
- Doak Bishop King & Spalding LLP22 Years Ranked
- Gaëtan Verhoosel KC Three Crowns LLP16 Years Ranked
- José I Astigarraga Reed Smith LLP23 Years Ranked
- Philippe Pinsolle Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP23 Years Ranked
- Stephen Jagusch KC Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP20 Years Ranked
- Mark W FriedmanDebevoise & Plimpton LLP
- Peter Goldsmith KCDebevoise & Plimpton LLP
Band 3
- Edward Kehoe King & Spalding LLP14 Years Ranked
- Georgios Petrochilos KC Three Crowns LLP18 Years Ranked
- John Savage KC King & Spalding International LLP21 Years Ranked
- Julie Bédard Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates15 Years Ranked
- Kevin (Kap-You) Kim Peter & Kim17 Years Ranked
- Michael Polkinghorne White & Case LLP24 Years Ranked
- Paolo Di Rosa Arnold & Porter19 Years Ranked
- Paul Friedland White & Case LLP23 Years Ranked
- Sophie Lamb KC Latham & Watkins16 Years Ranked
- Sylvia Noury KC Freshfields17 Years Ranked
- Todd Wetmore Three Crowns LLP14 Years Ranked
- Tom Sprange KC King & Spalding International LLP11 Years Ranked
- Barton LegumHonlet Legum Arbitration
- Cavinder Bull SCDrew & Napier LLC
- Claudia AnnackerAnnacker International Disputes
- Hamid G GharaviDerains & Gharavi
Band 4
- Andrea Menaker White & Case LLP14 Years Ranked
- Aníbal Martin Sabater Chaffetz Lindsey LLP15 Years Ranked
- Carole Malinvaud Gide Loyrette Nouel23 Years Ranked
- Charles Claypoole Latham & Watkins8 Years Ranked
- George Kahale III Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP14 Years Ranked
- James Hosking Chaffetz Lindsey LLP15 Years Ranked
- Jason Fry KC Clifford Chance Europe LLP16 Years Ranked
- John Rhie Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP15 Years Ranked
- Markus Burgstaller Hogan Lovells13 Years Ranked
- Matthias Scherer Lalive16 Years Ranked
- Michael Ostrove DLA Piper LLP (US)13 Years Ranked
- Michael Young KC Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan19 Years Ranked
- Noah Rubins KC Freshfields17 Years Ranked
- Noiana Marigo Freshfields US LLP14 Years Ranked
- Roland Ziadé Linklaters17 Years Ranked
- Stephen Fietta KC Fietta LLP17 Years Ranked
- Wolfgang Peter Peter & Kim25 Years Ranked
- Dietmar PragerDebevoise & Plimpton LLP
- Jeffrey Sullivan KCDebevoise & Plimpton LLP
- Robert VolterraVolterra Fietta
- Steven FinizioWilmerHale
Band 5
- Alastair Henderson Herbert Smith Freehills17 Years Ranked
- Alejandro Escobar Baker Botts UK LLP18 Years Ranked
- Alex Bevan A&O Shearman10 Years Ranked
- Anthony Sinclair Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP16 Years Ranked
- C Mark Baker Norton Rose Fulbright20 Years Ranked
- Christian Leathley Herbert Smith Freehills17 Years Ranked
- Dany Khayat Mayer Brown LLP9 Years Ranked
- Jennifer Younan A&O Shearman4 Years Ranked
- Matthew Weiniger KC Linklaters19 Years Ranked
- Mohamed Shelbaya Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes11 Years Ranked
- Noradèle Radjai Lalive13 Years Ranked
- Samaa A Haridi King & Spalding LLP13 Years Ranked
- Wade M. Coriell King & Spalding9 Years Ranked
- Yasmine Lahlou Chaffetz Lindsey LLP12 Years Ranked
- Byung-Chol (B.C.) YOONKim & Chang
- Franz SchwarzWilmerHale
- Ina C PopovaDebevoise & Plimpton LLP
- Jean-Yves GaraudCleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
- Natalie ReidDebevoise & Plimpton LLP
- Rachael D KentWilmerHale
Up and Coming
All Departments profiles
Band 1
1 FreshfieldsArbitration (International)2025 | Band 1 | 5 Years RankedA top-tier firm with a stellar reputation in both the arbitration and PIL spheres, Freshfields has a significant depth of resources in major arbitration centres including Washington DC, London and Paris, as well as a wealth of experience handling disputes across the globe including the Latin America and Asia markets. The law firm offers:
• Substantial expertise in boundary delimitation, sovereignty disputes, state immunity, international sanctions and human rights.
• Expertise in handling investment treaty disputes, representing both sovereign states and investors.
• In-depth knowledge of the energy, mining, infrastructure and telecoms sectors.
1 King & Spalding LLPArbitration (International)2025 | Band 1 | 5 Years RankedKing & Spalding has a premier international practice routinely called upon to handle sophisticated commercial arbitration and investor-state disputes. The firm has a strong footprint in arbitration hubs in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The law firm offers:
• Expertise in handling investor-state proceedings brought under the terms of bilateral investment treaties and the Energy Charter Treaty.
• Knowledge on arbitral proceedings relating to trade agreements, commercial contracts and shareholder claims.
• Experience of high-stakes disputes arising in the oil and gas sector as well as construction arbitration.
1 Three Crowns LLPArbitration (International)2025 | Band 1 | 5 Years RankedThree Crowns is a market-leading global practice skilled at handling both PIL and international arbitration. The firm incorporates teams located across London, Washington DC, Paris and Singapore hubs. The firm offers:
• Expertise in both commercial arbitration and investment treaty claims, particularly in Europe and Latin America.
• Experience representing sovereign states and private sector heavyweights.
• In-depth knowledge of disputes arising in the energy, natural resources and financial services sectors, as well as construction arbitration.
1 White & Case LLPArbitration (International)2025 | Band 1 | 5 Years RankedWhite & Case has an outstanding group with an excellent track record in high-stakes commercial and investor-state arbitrations. The firm provides a global network of offices, with extensive resources in key arbitral centres including Paris, London, New York and Washington, DC. The law firm offers:
• Long-standing experience of disputes under all major institutional rules.
• Expertise in the construction and energy sectors.
• Representation of both sovereign states and market-leading corporations.
Band 2
2 Arnold & PorterArbitration (International)2025 | Band 2 | 5 Years RankedArnold & Porter is a prestigious firm regularly tackling sophisticated, high-value cases under all major arbitral rules. The firm demonstrates proficiency in Latin American disputes and has commendable experience acting for European and Asian states. The law firm offers:
• 'Pure' PIL advisory work on behalf of sovereign states and state-owned entities, encompassing foreign sovereign immunity proceedings, and human rights and maritime boundary issues.
• Evidence of supporting clients in international commercial disputes under ICC, ICDR and JAMS rules.
• Advice on matters derived from the mining, energy, banking and transportation sectors.
2 Herbert Smith FreehillsArbitration (International)2025 | Band 2 | 5 Years RankedHerbert Smith Freehills has a renowned international arbitration group with impressive global reach, a particularly strong Asia-Pacific practice and noted expertise in African and Middle Eastern disputes. The firm has a multifaceted practice recognised for expertise in both PIL and commercial arbitrations. The law firm offers:
• Expert knowledge of investor-state arbitrations and large-scale energy and construction disputes.
• Experience in the telecoms, hospitality and financial services sectors.
• Advice for nations and multinational companies concerning state and international organisation immunity, human rights and international trade matters.
2 Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLPArbitration (International)2025 | Band 2 | 5 Years RankedQuinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan continues to be widely endorsed for its impressive international arbitration abilities. The team of seasoned arbitration specialists is well equipped to handle arbitrations across the globe, with an established presence in the Asia-Pacific, European and US markets. The law firm offers:
• In-depth knowledge of investment treaty and commercial disputes arising in a wide range of industries.
• Particular expertise in construction and IP matters.
• Representation of governments, state-owned entities and blue-chip private sector players.
Band 3
3 A&O ShearmanArbitration (International)2025 | Band 3 | 7 Years RankedA&O Shearman has a prominent international team which maintains a respected arbitration practice. The firm has arbitration teams located across the European and Asian continents, including notable offices in London and Hong Kong. The law firm offers:
• Experience acting for both claimants and respondents in investment treaty disputes.
• The ability to handle multi-jurisdictional commercial cases.
• Representation of key industry players in the energy sector, with significant expertise in disputes relating to gas price reviews and those arising under the Energy Charter Treaty.
• Advice on sovereign immunity, ECT claims, WTO matters and EU law.
3 Clifford Chance LLPArbitration (International)2025 | Band 3 | 5 Years RankedClifford Chance has a highly active bench of seasoned arbitration counsellors with a strong track record in international commercial disputes. The firm is particularly highly rated for its practice in Asia and Europe, including Paris, Singapore and London offices. The law firm offers:
• Experience handling commercial arbitrations arising in the financial services, energy, mining and infrastructure sectors.
• 'Pure' PIL expertise, encompassing sovereignty issues and state immunity disputes.
• Expert handling of African, Middle Eastern and Latin American disputes.
3 Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLPArbitration (International)2025 | Band 3 | 5 Years RankedCurtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle has a robust team of PIL and arbitration experts throughout its network. Clients benefit from the firm's global resources located in New York, Paris, London, Dubai and Milan. The law firm offers:
• Representation of sovereign states in international disputes.
• Experience acting as defence counsel in investor-state arbitrations concerning the oil and gas, mining, banking and telecoms sectors.
• Advice on 'pure' PIL matters, including sovereignty disputes, human rights issues, international trade and the Law of the Sea.
3 Foley Hoag LLPArbitration (International)2025 | Band 3 | 5 Years RankedFoley Hoag has a market-leading PIL practice with a wealth of experience in inter-state arbitrations. Operating principally from Washington DC, Boston, New York and Paris, the law firm offers:
• Knowledge of disputes relating to boundary delimitation, sovereignty rights and armed conflict facing the ICJ and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).
• Experience advocating for states in investment treaty and human rights arbitrations.
• A dedicated UN practice, offering advice and representation to sovereigns before UN bodies.
3 Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya DisputesArbitration (International)2025 | Band 3 | 5 Years RankedAn established arbitration boutique in Paris, Galliard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes' practitioners are widely recognised in the market for their:
• Ability to advise on high-value investor-state arbitrations and large-scale international commercial disputes.
• Representation of state-owned entities in energy-related arbitrations, and construction and M&A disputes.
3 LaliveArbitration (International)2025 | Band 3 | 5 Years RankedLalive has an acclaimed group of international arbitration experts headquartered in Geneva, supported by a London-based team. The team is highly respected across the PIL, investor-state and commercial arbitration fields, and the law firm offers:
• A well-regarded investor-state and commercial arbitration practice with particular expertise in the energy, construction, telecoms and mining sectors.
• Expert guidance to governments, state-owned entities, multinationals and high net worth individuals.
• Experience handling significant disputes in the Middle East, Europe, Asia and South America.
3 Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & AffiliatesArbitration (International)2025 | Band 3 | 5 Years RankedSkadden has a significant international arbitration practice, drawing on the resources of a globally-integrated team. It draws on strength across the USA and UK to handle matters across Latin America, Asia and Europe. The law firm offers:
• Representation of states and commercial entities in investment treaty arbitrations.
• Experience advising major corporations and financial institutions on the handling of commercial and shareholder disputes, particularly matters arising in the telecommunications and energy sectors.
• Particular expertise in handling multi-jurisdictional tax and IP disputes.
Band 4
4 DLA Piper LLPArbitration (International)2025 | Band 4 | 5 Years RankedRenowned global practice DLA Piper demonstrates notable capabilities in both investment treaty and cross-border commercial arbitration. The law firm offers:
• In-depth knowledge of the construction, energy, mining and telecoms sectors.
• Comprehensive coverage of multinational proceedings.
• Experience handling disputes involving African jurisdictions.
4 Hogan LovellsArbitration (International)2025 | Band 4 | 5 Years RankedHogan Lovells has a sought-after team offering extensive global coverage and multifaceted expertise. The practice is located in key arbitration hubs including Washington DC, New York, London and Paris. The law firm offers:
• Representation of both sovereign states and multinational corporations in investment treaty disputes.
• Ability to handle big-ticket commercial mandates, with particular strength in construction and energy-related arbitrations and further expertise in the TMT and financial services sectors.
• Experience working in key arbitration hubs globally, including throughout the Asia-Pacific and Latin American regions.
4 Latham & Watkins LLPArbitration (International)2025 | Band 4 | 5 Years RankedLatham & Watkins has a flourishing international arbitration practice that has earned recognition for its strong teams across the globe. The firm draws on the strength of teams in key hubs including Paris, London, New York and Hong Kong. The law firm offers:
• Deep industry knowledge, especially in the mining, finance, energy, technology and construction sectors.
• Expert handling of investment treaty claims on behalf of both investors and respondent states.
• Advice for clients on PIL matters including Law of the Sea, human rights and international trade disputes.
• Experience undertaking international commercial arbitrations as well as M&A and joint venture disputes.
4 Sidley Austin LLPArbitration (International)2025 | Band 4 | 5 Years RankedSidley Austin is a highly-regarded firm with an active presence in the arbitration field. With a particularly strong offering in the USA, Sidley Austin also demonstrates strength in Europe, Asia and Latin America markets. The law firm offers:
• Proficiency representing governments and corporations in international commercial and investor-state disputes before all major arbitration forums.
• Well-established expertise in international trade disputes and experience in cross-border IP matters.
• Significant experience appearing before US courts to enforce overseas arbitral awards.
Band 5
5 Baker McKenzieArbitration (International)2025 | Band 5 | 2 Years RankedBaker McKenzie possesses an impressive international arbitration practice with lawyers positioned across key arbitration hubs. The firm excels in navigating complex cross-border disputes and providing clients with strategic advice related to arbitration proceedings. The law firm offers:
• Industry expertise in the finance, energy and construction sectors.
• Representation of investment treaty claims on behalf of both investors and states.
• Experience undertaking international commercial arbitrations as well as M&A and joint venture disputes.
5 Chaffetz Lindsey LLPArbitration (International)2025 | Band 5 | 5 Years RankedChaffetz Lindsey is a New York boutique that has earned recognition for its deep expertise in cross-border arbitration disputes. The firm is best known for its work in the Americas. The law firm offers:
• Experience in investment treaty and commercial arbitration.
• Notable expertise concerning disputes arising in the energy, construction and insurance sectors.
• Capabilities concerning disputes involving European and Asian jurisdictions.
5 Eversheds SutherlandArbitration (International)2025 | Band 5 | 3 Years RankedEversheds Sutherland gains recognition for its stellar arbitration practice. Truly global in scope, the firm covers multiple key arbitration hubs including New York, Paris, London and Washington, DC. The law firm offers:
• Expertise in investment treaty and commercial arbitration.
• Notable expertise concerning disputes arising in the energy and finance space.
5 Fietta LLPArbitration (International)2025 | Band 5 | 5 Years RankedFietta is a highly rated London boutique, recognised for its specialist PIL knowledge and background handling major investment treaty arbitrations. The law firm offers:
• Advice for states, international organisations, multinational corporations and private clients across a range of international law matters.
• A wealth of experience in maritime boundary disputes and human rights matters.
• Strength handling investor-state arbitration and providing expert advice on treaty law.
• Well-versed expertise in European, Middle Eastern and Central Asian disputes.
5 Mayer Brown International LLPArbitration (International)2025 | Band 5 | 2 Years RankedMayer Brown has a robust international arbitration offering across a number of major jurisdictions including the USA, the UK, France and Brazil. The firm is well placed to deliver advice across a broad spectrum of sectors. The law firm offers:
• Expertise in investment treaty and commercial arbitration.
• Notable expertise concerning disputes arising in the construction, infrastructure and energy space.
5 Peter & KimArbitration (International)2025 | Band 5 | 3 Years RankedPeter & Kim has a distinguished arbitration practice that attracts an impressive roster of market-leading clients. The law firm offers:
• Significant experience handling ICC, LCIA and ICSID proceedings.
• In-depth knowledge of the financial and energy sectors.
• Particular expertise in the East Asian market.
5 Squire Patton BoggsArbitration (International)2025 | Band 5 | 1 Years RankedSquire Patton Boggs is a high-calibre international law firm with full-service global capabilities. The firm has strong public international law and investment treaty experience. The law firm offers:
• Deep knowledge of the energy sector, particularly as it relates to gas.
• Expert handling of investment treaty claims on behalf of states.
• Advice for clients on PIL matters including maritime boundary disputes and ICJ proceedings.