Covington & Burling LLP has a diverse and long-established International Arbitration practice. With 75 lawyers, our Arbitration team handles cases under the rules of every major arbitration system in the world and in the oil & gas, mining, insurance, infrastructure, financial, pharmaceutical, and other industries. We handle cases under common law and civil law systems, under public international law, and in English, Spanish, French, and other languages. A number of the firm’s lawyers are fully trained in more than one legal system, and we can draw on relevant industry experts within the firm.
We are lead counsel in commercial and investment-treaty disputes arising in Western and Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America, and the Middle East, with claims valued at over $15 billion. Our lawyers have been selected as chairs and party-appointed arbitrators in more than a dozen commercial and investor-state arbitrations within the last year. We are consistently ranked as a leading practice in Chambers, Legal 500, and Global Arbitration Review.
Representative Matters
- ExxonMobil, in pending proceedings against the Republic of Venezuela and its state-owned oil company, relating to expropriatory acts of the Venezuelan government.
- Spanish investors in Yukos Oil Company, in a pending Stockholm arbitration against the Russian Federation relating to Russia’s liquidation of Yukos.
- Merck, in ad hoc London arbitrations against its insurers, resulting in a recovery of approximately $590 million, plus $45 million in related fees and interest, in connection with Vioxx®-related liabilities.
- Newmont Mining, in related ICSID and Stockholm arbitrations against Uzbekistan concerning the termination of Newmont’s right to exploit certain mineral resources, resulting in a favorable settlement.
- Kockums, the Swedish shipbuilder, in a pending ICC arbitration against a US engine supplier.
- Tidewater, a provider of maritime services to the oil industry, in an ICSID arbitration arising out of the expropriation of 15 vessels and other investments in Venezuela.
- An Israeli metals-refining company, in a pending ICSID arbitration against Uzbekistan related to the transfer of the company’s local refining plant to state-owned enterprises.
- A European oil refinery business in an ad hoc arbitration against various UK underwriters arising out of property damage and business interruption claims exceeding $150 million.
Accolades
- One of the top practices in the world (Global Arbitration Review’s “GAR30” 2011)
- Recognized as one of "top arbitration firms" by American Lawyer's Arbitration Scorecard survey (2011)
- "The attorneys are truly outstanding in terms of their ability to prepare and present extremely complicated matters lucidly and persuasively” (Chambers USA 2011)
- "Described by clients as ‘international advocates of exceptional quality’” (Legal 500 2011)
- "A strong firm with an enviable Latin American arbitration practice that delivers consistently high-calibre advocacy” (Chambers Latin America 2011)
- "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)
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