PRACTICE AREA
International Commercial Arbitration
Strategic counsel in complex cross-border commercial disputes before the world’s leading arbitral institutions — ICC, ICDR/AAA, UNCITRAL, and ad hoc tribunals.
From emergency relief through enforcement, across the Americas and Europe.
OVERVIEW
Cross-Border Disputes Demand Specialized Counsel
International commercial arbitration is the primary mechanism for resolving cross-border business disputes. When contracts involve parties in different jurisdictions, governed by different legal traditions, and subject to differing procedural expectations, arbitration provides a neutral, enforceable, and confidential forum for resolution.
Effective arbitration counsel must combine substantive mastery of the governing law with deep procedural fluency across institutional frameworks. The firm brings this dual competence to every engagement — drawing on extensive experience as both counsel and arbitrator to deliver advocacy informed by a comprehensive understanding of how tribunals evaluate evidence, assess credibility, and render decisions.
The firm serves both as counsel and, where appropriate, as arbitrator, with substantial experience in each role, subject to applicable conflicts and independence standards.
METHODOLOGY
Our Approach
A disciplined, phase-based methodology from initial assessment through award enforcement.
Case Assessment
- Conflicts check and engagement
- Comprehensive case assessment memorandum
- Identification of interim relief requirements
- Evidence preservation and document hold protocols
- Forum, seat, and governing law analysis
Pre-Hearing
- Drafting of request for arbitration or response
- Tribunal constitution — co-arbitrator nomination and chair selection
- Procedural timetable negotiation
- Document management and production strategy
- Preliminary damages and quantum framework
Hearing & Award
- Written memorial advocacy
- Witness and expert preparation and coordination
- Oral hearing advocacy
- Post-hearing submissions and cost applications
- Enforcement planning from the outset of proceedings
SECTOR
Types of Disputes
We handle complex commercial disputes across a range of industries and transaction structures.
Supply & Distribution
Cross-border supply agreements, distribution terminations, and exclusive dealing disputes across multiple jurisdictions.
Joint Ventures & Shareholder Disputes
Deadlock resolution, valuation disputes, fiduciary duty claims, and forced buyouts in international joint ventures.
Construction & Infrastructure
Delay claims, defective performance, variation disputes, and multi-party construction arbitrations.
Energy & Natural Resources
Concession agreements, off-take disputes, regulatory renegotiation, and resource extraction conflicts.
Financial Services
Derivatives disputes, fund management conflicts, banking relationship terminations, and cross-border financial restructuring.
Technology & Licensing
SaaS licensing breaches, IP disputes, technology transfer agreements, and data-related commercial conflicts.
FORUMS
Institutional Experience
Extensive experience across the world’s principal arbitral institutions.
ICCInternational Chamber of Commerce
The world’s leading arbitral institution. We have extensive experience conducting proceedings under the 2021 ICC Rules, including expedited procedures and the ICC Emergency Arbitrator mechanism.
UNCITRALUN Commission on International Trade Law
Ad hoc arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules provides maximum procedural flexibility. We advise on institutional versus ad hoc structures and administer proceedings under these rules.
ICDR/AAAInternational Centre for Dispute Resolution
The international division of the American Arbitration Association and the premier Americas-based forum. We regularly handle ICDR proceedings in Miami, New York, and across Latin America.
Ad HocBespoke Proceedings
Certain disputes require tailored arbitral frameworks outside institutional rules. We design and conduct ad hoc proceedings suited to the commercial and legal context of each matter.
CAPABILITIES
Procedural Expertise
Interim & Emergency Relief
Applications to emergency arbitrators and national courts for provisional measures, asset preservation orders, and anti-suit injunctions.
Document Production
Strategic requests under the IBA Rules on the Taking of Evidence, including targeted Redfern Schedule applications and privilege objections.
Jurisdictional Objections
Challenges to arbitral jurisdiction, including objections based on arbitration agreement validity, scope, privity, and group-of-companies doctrine.
Multi-Party & Multi-Contract
Joinder, consolidation, and coordination of proceedings involving multiple parties, related contracts, or parallel arbitrations.
Parallel Proceedings
Management of concurrent arbitrations, court proceedings, and regulatory investigations across jurisdictions.
Enforcement & Set-Aside
Post-award proceedings under the New York Convention, including enforcement actions and annulment applications at the seat.
ADVANTAGE
Cross Border Capability
Americas to Europe
Offices in Miami, Madrid, and Paris — positioned at the intersection of the Americas and Europe for seamless cross-border arbitration practice.
Common + Civil Law
Deep fluency in both common law and civil law procedural traditions, enabling effective advocacy regardless of the governing law or procedural framework.
Trilingual Practice
We conduct arbitrations in English, Spanish, and French — and coordinate multilingual proceedings, translation, and witness preparation across all three languages.
EXPERIENCE
Representative Matters
Select anonymized engagements. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
ENERGY
ICC - Paris
The world’s leading arbitral institution. We have extensive experience conducting proceedings under the 2021 ICC Rules, including expedited procedures and the ICC Emergency Arbitrator mechanism.
CONSTRUCTION
The international division of the American Arbitration Association and the premier Americas-based forum. We regularly handle ICDR proceedings in Miami, New York, and across Latin America.
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Ad hoc arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules provides maximum procedural flexibility. We advise on institutional versus ad hoc structures and administer proceedings under these rules.
DISTRIBUTION
Certain disputes require tailored arbitral frameworks outside institutional rules. We design and conduct ad hoc proceedings suited to the commercial and legal context of each matter.
TECHNOLOGY
SaaS licensing breach — favorable award on contractual interpretation and damages.
REAL ESTATE
Hospitality joint venture dissolution — award obtained and successfully enforced in multiple jurisdictions.
MANUFACTURING
Product liability and warranty claims in international supply chain — all claims dismissed.
PHARMACEUTICALS
IP licensing dispute — favorable interim measures and subsequent award on breach of exclusivity provisions.
FAQS
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical timeline for an international commercial arbitration?
Timelines vary depending on the complexity of the dispute, the institution, and whether expedited procedures apply. An expedited ICC case may resolve in 6–9 months. Standard ICC proceedings typically take 12–18 months. Complex, multi-party cases can extend to 24 months or more. We work to optimize timelines without sacrificing thoroughness.
How are arbitration costs structured?
Costs include institutional fees, arbitrator fees, legal fees, and expert/witness costs. Institutional fee schedules (ICC, ICDR) are publicly available and based on the amount in dispute. We provide detailed budgets and phased cost projections at the outset of every engagement.
How does the tribunal selection process work?
In a three-arbitrator tribunal, each party typically nominates one co-arbitrator, and the two co-arbitrators (or the institution) select the chair. In sole arbitrator proceedings, the institution appoints unless the parties agree. We maintain deep knowledge of the arbitrator community and advise on selection strategy.
Can arbitral awards be enforced internationally?
Yes. Under the 1958 New York Convention — ratified by over 170 states — arbitral awards are enforceable in national courts worldwide. Award enforcement is a core capability of the firm, with particular depth in U.S. federal courts.
Is arbitration confidential?
Most institutional rules provide for confidentiality of proceedings, submissions, and awards. The degree of protection varies by institution and by the governing law of the arbitration. We advise on confidentiality protections tailored to each matter.
Can emergency or interim measures be obtained?
Yes. Most major institutions offer emergency arbitrator procedures. Court-ordered interim measures in aid of arbitration are also available in most jurisdictions. We have extensive experience seeking and opposing both forms of provisional relief.
What languages do you conduct arbitrations in?
We conduct arbitrations in English, Spanish, and French. We handle multilingual proceedings and coordinate translation of evidence and submissions as required.
RESOURCES
Checklist for the First Month of International Commercial Arbitration
A step‑by‑step guide covering ICDR and ICC procedures, filing deadlines, arbitrator selection, and key tasks for the critical first 30 days.
The information on this page is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed by use of this website. All engagements are subject to a conflicts check and execution of an engagement letter. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.