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Ranking tables

Global USA International Arbitration: The Elite

Chambers USA recognizes firms and individuals for their practice as both counsel and arbitrators in our International Arbitration section. Individuals are ranked in the International Arbitration: Counsel and International Arbitration: Arbitrators tables, depending on whether we are recognising them for their work serving as counsel or sitting as arbitrators. They may be included in both tables, if appropriate. Firms are ranked for their overall International Arbitration offering in either International Arbitration: Elite or International Arbitration: Highly Regarded. Chambers USA International Arbitration also includes a spotlight table highlighting those firms and individuals particularly noted for their arbitral enforcement expertise. This is designed to complement the core rankings. There is no Public International Law coverage in the Chambers USA guide, and so investment treaty arbitration mandates are included within Nationwide International Arbitration. Our core International Arbitration rankings recognise firms and individuals for their handling of both commercial and investor-state international arbitrations. These include disputes seated across the globe and held under a wide range of institutional rules, as well as ad-hoc proceedings. Examples of these disputes include ICC, UNCITRAL, SIAC, ICSID and LCIA proceedings. These may be held before either a sole arbitrator or a panel. Chambers USA does not recognise domestic arbitrations; these would instead usually appear in state commercial litigation tables. Chambers USA also includes separate coverage of insurance and international trade disputes, and so would not prioritise this work within International Arbitration. 

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Band 1
  1. Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
    1
    Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
    International Arbitration: The Elite
    2023 | Band 1 |
    Maintains its position at the forefront of the commercial and investment treaty arbitration market, acting for a wide range of multinational corporations and sovereign states. Offers a deep bench of experienced arbitration counsel, well versed in handling disputes conducted under the auspices of all major institutional rules as well as in those heard in ad hoc settings. Provides particular expertise in arbitrations involving Latin American parties, as well as increasing activity in disputes seated in Asia.
  2. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
    1
    Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
    International Arbitration: The Elite
    2023 | Band 1 |
    Highly active bench of experienced arbitration counsel with a successful track record of representing both corporate entities and sovereign states in complex cross-border disputes. Noted for its expert handling of Latin American and European disputes, with impressive strengths in proceedings concerning mining, telecommunications, oil and gas and construction issues. Boasts an impressive number of multilingual and dual-qualified attorneys able to practice in both common and civil law jurisdictions.
  3. King & Spalding LLP
    1
    King & Spalding LLP
    International Arbitration: The Elite
    2023 | Band 1 |
    While King & Spalding is recognised for its global arbitration capabilities, it is consistently singled out for its strength in Latin America. The team is regularly appointed to serve as counsel and arbitrator in commercial claims arising from a range of industries, as well as investment treaty disputes. Henry Burnett and Roberto Aguirre Luzi are two of the firm's leading practitioners in this space, alongside others such as Érica Franzetti.
  4. White & Case LLP
    1
    White & Case LLP
    International Arbitration: The Elite
    2023 | Band 1 |
    Dominant investment treaty practice across both the claimant and state sides, with significant strength in arbitrations involving emerging markets. Offers additional expertise in commercial arbitrations, acting for clients from a wide range of sectors. Draws from a formidable pool of arbitration experts to provide outstanding representation in construction, energy and financial services disputes, alongside significant expertise in enforcement litigation. Impressive global coverage allowing for the adept handling of matters across all major hubs worldwide.
2
Band 2
  1. Arnold & Porter
    2
    Arnold & Porter
    International Arbitration: The Elite
    2023 | Band 2 |
    Strong reputation for its representation of sovereign states in high-value international arbitration proceedings. Also engaged in significant commercial disputes, drawing from a strong group of multilingual practitioners with wide-ranging industry experience. Particularly well regarded for its handling of South and Central America-related disputes, alongside a thriving West Coast practice servicing clients in East Asia. Offers particular expertise in the oil and gas and transportation sectors.
  2. Chaffetz Lindsey LLP
    2
    Chaffetz Lindsey LLP
    International Arbitration: The Elite
    2023 | Band 2 |
    Versatile dispute resolution boutique with an extensive investor-state practice, acting for both sovereign states and corporate clients. Also offers a broad-based commercial dispute practice, with experience in fields including telecom, financial services, construction and energy. Capabilities include the enforcement of arbitral awards. Identified for its deft handling of Latin American disputes, in addition to housing experience in arbitrations involving Europe and the Middle East. Fields significant multilingual capabilities, with substantial experience acting in disputes conducted in Spanish.
  3. Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP
    2
    Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP
    International Arbitration: The Elite
    2023 | Band 2 |
    Especially well regarded for its expertise in the representation of sovereign states and state entities in investor-state arbitrations, alongside growing expertise in commercial disputes and enforcement. Draws from a deep pool of internationally experienced practitioners, with notable strengths in handling oil and gas disputes. Offers additional expertise in the construction, telecommunications and infrastructure sectors.
  4. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates
    2
    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates
    International Arbitration: The Elite
    2023 | Band 2 |
    Houses skilled arbitration advocates at all levels of seniority, experienced in appearing in an impressive range of institutional and ad hoc disputes. Frequently engaged in both investor-state and commercial disputes on behalf of major international corporations, alongside complementary strengths in enforcement litigation. Particular areas of strength include telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, financial services and energy arbitral matters. Offers experience in disputes across the globe, with recent activity in Asia, Europe and Latin America.
  5. Three Crowns LLP
    International Arbitration: The Elite
    2023 | Band 2
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Band 3
  1. Covington & Burling LLP
    3
    Covington & Burling LLP
    International Arbitration: The Elite
    2023 | Band 3 |
    Particular areas of strength include international energy, infrastructure and pharmaceutical matters. Acts for a wide range of clients across the globe, including multinational corporations and states. Regularly engaged in major commercial arbitrations and on claimant-side investment treaty work, alongside additional expertise in areas including state-to-state disputes and arbitration-related litigation. Calls upon a strong group of advocates whose arbitration expertise is bolstered by frequent appointments as arbitrator.
  2. Dechert LLP
    3
    Dechert LLP
    International Arbitration: The Elite
    2023 | Band 3 |
    Frequently engaged by sovereign states and multinational corporations to serve as counsel in both commercial and investor-state arbitrations. Offers considerable strength in disputes arising in the energy, financial services and construction sectors, among others. Provides additional expertise in internet governance work and arbitral enforcement proceedings.
  3. Foley Hoag LLP
    3
    Foley Hoag LLP
    International Arbitration: The Elite
    2023 | Band 3 |
    Impressive expertise in representing sovereign states in investment treaty arbitrations held across the world, with strong credentials in public international law. Regularly appears in state-to-state disputes before the ICJ and other international tribunals, alongside wider skills in international commercial disputes. Identified for its expert handling of disputes arising in the construction sector, with additional strengths in sectors including aviation, financial services and energy.
  4. Hogan Lovells US LLP
    3
    Hogan Lovells US LLP
    International Arbitration: The Elite
    2023 | Band 3 |
    Substantial experience in representing clients across the globe in both investment treaty and commercial arbitration hearings, with strengths in areas including energy, finance, automotive and telecommunications disputes. Demonstrates strengths in proceedings conducted under the major institutional rules and in ad hoc hearings. Leverages the firm's wide network of dispute resolution practitioners to provide an integrated service to clients, with particular strengths in matters across Latin America and the Middle East.
  5. Sidley Austin LLP
    3
    Sidley Austin LLP
    International Arbitration: The Elite
    2023 | Band 3 |
    Impressive range of experience in international arbitration proceedings, regularly representing governments, state-owned companies and private corporations in investor-state, state-to-state and commercial arbitrations. Calls upon a multi-talented roster of attorneys skilled in arbitration proceedings and in related litigation. Also adept at handling the enforcement of arbitral awards. Draws on the firm's broad global footprint and complementary strengths in areas such as international trade and public international law to provide a fully integrated service to clients.
  6. Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
    International Arbitration: The Elite
    2023 | Band 3
  7. WilmerHale
    International Arbitration: The Elite
    2023 | Band 3
4
Band 4
  1. DLA Piper LLP
    4
    DLA Piper LLP
    International Arbitration: The Elite
    2023 | Band 4 |
    Particularly skilled in investment treaty arbitrations, while also handling commercial disputes. Offers strength in proceedings conducted under various arbitration rules. Known for its expertise in a number of industries, including financial services, construction, energy and technology.
  2. Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP
    4
    Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP
    International Arbitration: The Elite
    2023 | Band 4 |
    Heavyweight arbitration group, with impressive skill in commercial, investor-state and state-to-state disputes. Houses a strong bench of arbitration experts, many of whom are experienced in appearing as both advocates and arbitrators in arbitral proceedings under major institutional rules worldwide. Offers expertise across sectors including construction, energy and pharmaceuticals. Provides additional experience in the enforcement of arbitral awards.
  3. Norton Rose Fulbright
    4
    Norton Rose Fulbright
    International Arbitration: The Elite
    2023 | Band 4 |
    Draws from a deep level of industry expertise in energy and mining arbitral matters, with wider strengths in maritime and construction work. Continues to undertake high-profile and high-value proceedings conducted under a range of institutional and ad hoc rules, as well as appearing in high-stakes enforcement proceedings. Impressive client base includes a number of multinational corporations and sovereign states.
  4. Reed Smith LLP
    4
    Reed Smith LLP
    International Arbitration: The Elite
    2023 | Band 4 |
    Distinguished dispute resolution team with deep experience in commercial arbitrations arising from Latin America, with notable capabilities in financial services disputes. Also regularly engaged on arbitrations in the firm's core sectors of international trade, entertainment, energy and life sciences. Offers wider strength in related litigation work, including litigation to compel arbitration, parallel proceedings and enforcement matters. Fields strong multilingual capabilities across the practice.
  5. Shearman & Sterling LLP
    4
    Shearman & Sterling LLP
    International Arbitration: The Elite
    2023 | Band 4 |
    Offers a strong global track record in arbitrations involving the mining, construction, energy and chemical industries, among others. Wide-reaching capabilities in commercial arbitral and arbitral enforcement proceedings, demonstrating particular expertise in partnership and financial disputes. Also highlighted for its handling of investment treaty disputes, with notable experience acting on behalf of several Latin American states. Bolstered by a deep bench of practitioners across the firm's global offices.
  6. Vinson & Elkins LLP
    4
    Vinson & Elkins LLP
    International Arbitration: The Elite
    2023 | Band 4 |
    Highly regarded team offering enviable expertise in disputes involving the energy and infrastructure sectors, drawing on the firm's broader capability in these sectors. Acts for clients in international commercial arbitrations as well as investor-state disputes. Experienced in handling arbitrations under a range of major rules including ICC, ICSID, ICDR and LCIA, among others.
  7. Herbert Smith Freehills
    International Arbitration: The Elite
    2023 | Band 4
  8. Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP
    International Arbitration: The Elite
    2023 | Band 4