Public International Law | Global

Foley 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.

A 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.

Arnold & 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.

Curtis, 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.

Clifford 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.

Fietta 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.

Herbert 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.

White & 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.

A&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.

Covington & Burling has a well-regarded group especially active in high-value investment treaty disputes as well as being adept at handling PIL matters. The law firm offers:

• Notable strength in expropriation matters and gas pricing disputes as well as UNCITRAL proceedings.

• Proficiency in state-versus-state arbitrations, including maritime rights disputes and racial discrimination claims.

• Particular strength handling high-stakes arbitrations involving Latin American and Eastern European jurisdictions.

Lalive 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.

Latham & 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.

Squire 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.

Three 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.