Representative Matters

• ExxonMobil, in pending ICC and ICSID proceedings against the Republic of Venezuela and its state-owned oil company, relating to expropriatory and other acts of the Venezuelan government.
• Merck, in an ad hoc London arbitration against its insurers, resulting in the third largest commercial arbitration award of the last five years (AmLaw Focus Europe’s “Arbitration Scorecard 2009”) and a recovery of approximately $590 million and $45 million in related fees and interest, in connection with the company’s Vioxx-related liabilities.
• Spanish investors in Yukos Oil Company, in a Stockholm Chamber of Commerce arbitration against the Russian Federation, relating to the Russian government’s liquidation of Yukos.
• A joint venture of Newmont Mining and Sumitomo, in an arbitration under UNCITRAL Rules against the Indonesian government, relating to the government’s efforts to terminate an agreement governing exploitation of copper and gold resources on the island of Sumbawa.
• A Malaysian construction and development firm, in an ICSID arbitration that resulted in a substantial damages award against the Republic of Chile.
• The State of Eritrea, in a successful arbitration of its boundary dispute with Ethiopia, before a specially constituted PCA tribunal in The Hague.
• Telkom SA, the former South African state telecommunications company, in successfully resisting US enforcement of one of the largest ICC awards in recent years, following an arbitration handled by other counsel.
• Exxon, in an arbitration and related litigation against Lloyds of London and other international underwriters for losses arising from the grounding of the Valdez - matters that settled for $780 million.

Accolades

• U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers, International Arbitration: National and Washington, DC, first tier ranking (2010)
• Consistently ranked as a leading practice in Chambers, The Legal 500, and Global Arbitration Review.
• Lead counsel for the prevailing party in the 3rd largest commercial arbitration award of the last 5 years, as recently reported in AmLaw Focus Europe’s "Arbitration Scorecard 2009."
• “This firm is truly impressive and really knows its way around the arbitration world." (Chambers USA 2010)
• "Clients say that Covington is one of a select few US firms with a quality arbitration specialisation in London." (Chambers UK 2010)
• "Covington & Burling LLP's 'depth of excellence distinguishes it', and the 50-strong team of international arbitration practitioners consistently receives praise for its ‘outstanding work’ on behalf of sovereigns, including the Jordanian government, and multinationals." (The Legal 500 2010)
• "The team is largely considered to 'exceed or equal the skills of any other team out there.'" (The Legal 500 2009)
• "An excellent reputation in international arbitration;" "first-rate in terms of work product;" considered by clients to operate under "a general rule of exceptional quality." (The Legal 500 2008)
• "According to one arbitrator, 'I have heard cases presented by most of the outstanding New York and Washington law firms, plus some from London and Paris; on the basis of that experience, I believe Covington & Burling LLP was consistently the best-prepared and most effective of these many advocates.'" (The Legal 500 2009)
• "Praised for its 'fine analytical ability, cogent and persuasive written material and impressive bench strength.'" (Chambers USA 2009)
• "It is the addition of common sense and practical knowledge that distinguishes Covington’s lawyers." (Chambers USA 2008)
• Two partners have served, by Presidential appointment, on the standing panels of ICSID conciliators and arbitrators; others serve on the CPR or AAA Panels of Neutrals.