Chaffetz Lindsey LLP

Firm Details: 

Partners: James Hosking, Yasmine Lahlou, David Lindsey, Caline Mouawad, Aníbal Sabater, Peter Chaffetz, Andreas Frischknecht, Alan Lipkin, Sandy Litvack, Cecilia Moss, Andrew Poplinger, Steven Schwartz, Charles Scibetta, Gretta Walters, Erin Valentine

Number of partners: 15

Number of other lawyers: 18

Firm Overiew: 

Chaffetz Lindsey is a premier litigation and international arbitration boutique. For over 10 years, it has helped clients find business-minded solutions where possible or win in arbitration or court if necessary. It provides the service, expertise and international experience clients expect from the largest firms, but from a smaller, client-friendly, New York City platform. Chaffetz Lindsey’s international reach is unique for its size and single-office location. In addition, the firm is distinguished by its flexibility on fees and lack of conflicts. Chaffetz Lindsey can and does act against major businesses that many large firms will not oppose.

Main Areas of Practice: 

International Arbitration: 

Chaffetz Lindsey is an international arbitration powerhouse. It represents clients in arbitrations administered by all of the major institutions and under all of the major arbitral rules, including HKIAC, ICC, ICDR, ICSID, LCIA, SCC, SIAC, and UNCITRAL Rules. Chaffetz Lindsey’s commitment to Latin America has been evident since the firm was formed in 2009. The firm offer clients a deep bench of native or fluent Spanish and Portuguese speaking attorneys, able to advise clients in both languages, and is one of a few, if not the only New York arbitration group that regularly argues cases in Spanish. The firm’s Latin American practice has continued to grow significantly with a series of instructions involving clients and/or projects in Argentina, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, Peru and Uruguay.

The team handles disputes in a variety of industries, with a particular expertise in energy, engineering and construction, financial services, insurance, infrastructure, manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, and pharmaceuticals. In addition to its broad commercial arbitration practice, Chaffetz Lindsey has expertise in public international law and currently represents investors and sovereigns in multiple treaty disputes. The firm’s lawyers are recognised thought leaders who regularly speak, teach, and publish on cutting-edge international arbitration issues. Partners James Hosking, Aníbal Sabater, Yasmine Lahlou, Caline Mouawad, and David Lindsey have been active in Latin America for most of their careers and are widely recognised by all of the leading industry publications.

Insurance/Reinsurance:  

Chaffetz Lindsey has one of the deepest insurance/reinsurance practices in the market. The firm has delivered successful results to clients facing exposures ranging into the billions of dollars in every major industry issue of the past three decades. These issues include asbestos, environmental, 9/11, finite risk, financial guarantee, commutations, late notice, workers’ compensation, managing general agencies and pools, insurance wrapped residential mortgage backed securities, disputes over arbitrability, COVID-19, and insolvency matters, including cases against liquidators and cut-through endorsement claims by policyholders. In addition, the firm has extensive experience in disputes arising out of mergers and acquisitions of insurance and reinsurance companies. Chaffetz Lindsey’s team members are recognized leaders in the industry and are active members in a variety of industry forums, including ARIAS and the International Bar Association’s Insurance Committee. Peer firms frequently call on Chaffetz Lindsey to submit amicus curiae briefs on major industry issues.

Commercial Litigation: 

Chaffetz Lindsey has an active commercial litigation practice with significant trial and appellate experience in federal and state courts. The team represents companies in disputes involving complex commercial contracts, sales/licensing and distribution agreements, construction projects, and disputes arising from domestic and international crises (including COVID-19). The firm excels in cross-border litigation, including cases involving sovereigns, international discovery, enforcement of judgments/arbitration awards, and parallel proceedings.

Bankruptcy: 

Chaffetz Lindsey recently expanded its team to bring on a leading bankruptcy specialist, Alan Lipkin. Chaffetz Lindsey advises major creditors, shareholders, creditors and ad hoc committees, and other key parties in chapter 11 and debtors’ chapter 7 cases and out-of-court workouts. The firm also has substantial experience in insurance and bank insolvency matters and in addressing potential insolvency issues in structured finance and other complex transactions. Consistent with the team’s deep international network and experience, many of firm’s insolvency-related matters involve cross-border components and ancillary proceedings under chapter 15 of the bankruptcy code.