Subscribe

  • How Can We Help You?

    Global Problem Solving from Covington: Deal with Complex Problems Anywhere in the World

Arvelo_Jose_1000x714_ENV

José E. Arvelo

Of Counsel

New York +1 212 841 1048

English
  • About
  • Representative Matters
  • Credentials
  • About

    José Arvelo helps clients navigate and tackle their most complex disputes as counsel in high-value international arbitrations as well as transnational and multi-district litigation. 

    He has helped secure sizeable awards in arbitral proceedings conducted in English and Spanish, and defended clients against multi-million-dollar claims brought before international tribunals and U.S. courts. A native Spanish speaker, José also helps clients investigate and address allegations of bribery or other misconduct in Latin America.

    José’s international arbitration work centers on representing multinational companies from diverse industries—e.g., energy, mining, consumer brands, and technology—in connection with investor-state and commercial disputes spanning the globe, with a focus on Latin America. His U.S. litigation practice focuses on complex multi-district and transnational litigation involving mass-tort claims and issues of international law. As part of his white-collar and investigations practice, José has advised corporate and individual clients facing allegations of wrongdoing and corruption in multiple Latin American countries.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Practices and Industries
  • Representative Matters

    International Arbitration

    • Represented a U.S. construction materials company in an investment arbitration against Mexico under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
    • Represented claimants in Valores Mundiales, S.L. & Consorcio Andino S.L. v. República Bolivariana de Venezuela (ICSID Case No. ARB/13/11) (Spanish-language proceeding), resulting in an award exceeding $430 million.
    • Represented the claimant in Mobil Cerro Negro v. Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. et al. (ICC Case No. 15415/JRF), resulting in an award exceeding $900 million.
    • Represented the claimants in Mobil Corporation et al. v. Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (ICSID Case No. ARB/07/27), resulting in an award exceeding $2 billion.
    • Represented owners of Latin American mining projects in commercial arbitrations against project contractors.

    • Counseled a technology company in an ICC arbitration against a contractor.
    • Advised a technology company on investment claims against a Latin American country.

    Litigation

    • Represented the Kingdom of Spain in litigation to secure recognition of foreign sovereign immunity and repatriation to Spain of an estimated $600 million in coins and other artifacts removed from a sunken 1804 Spanish Navy Frigate. See, e.g., Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. v. Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel, 657 F.3d 1159 (11th Cir. 2011).
    • Represented a major pharmaceutical company in civil litigation (Spanish-language proceeding).
    • Represented subsidiaries of a Mexican multinational company in U.S.-court litigation to enforce an arbitral award secured through treaty arbitration.
    • Represented Chiquita Brands International, Inc. and one of its executives in interrelated litigation matters arising out of extortion payments to illegal armed groups in Colombia, including mass-tort claims under the Alien Tort Statute and Antiterrorism Act, insurance coverage disputes, and government investigations. See, e.g., Cardona v. Chiquita Brands Int’l, Inc., 760 F.3d 1185 (11th Cir. 2014).

    White Collar Investigations and Anti-Corruption/FCPA

    • Advised a major pharmaceutical company in an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice and Securities & Exchange Commission into alleged FCPA violations in a South American country, leading a bilingual team in the course of the investigation.
    • Counseled a multinational mining company regarding a criminal investigation into its operations in a South American country.
    • Represented a manufacturing company with an internal investigation into alleged wrongdoing in relation to imports in a South American country.
    • Conducted an anti-corruption risk assessment for a consumer-products company relating to its operations in several South American countries.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Credentials
    Education
    • Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., 2007
        • cum laude
        • Georgetown Journal of International Law, Notes & Articles Editor
    • Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, M.A.L.D., 2006
    • Universidad de Puerto Rico, B.A., 2001
    Bar Admissions
    • New York
    • District of Columbia
    Languages
    • Spanish
    Pro Bono
    • Represented individual plaintiffs in successful litigation against the U.S. Department of Commerce and Census Bureau for the decision to add a citizenship question on the 2020 Census.
    • Represented human-trafficking victims in successful federal litigation.
    • Advised an international non-profit organization on matters involving international criminal law.
    • Counseled a Salvadoran national in the successful application for a U.S. immigrant visa and for U.S. citizenship.
    • Represented an indigent senior citizen in litigation against his former landlord.
    Accolades
    • Latino Leaders Magazine, “Rising Stars” (2022)
    • Latinvex, Latin America Rising Legal Star (2020)
    • Legal 500 Latin America, International Arbitration (2015) 
    • Washington DC Super Lawyers, International "Rising Star" (2014-2017)
    Memberships and Affiliations
    • American Society of International Law
    • Hispanic Bar Association of the District of Columbia, Board Member (2014-2016)
    • International Bar Association
    Previous Experience
    • U.S. Department of State, Office of International Claims and Investment Disputes, Law Clerk (2006)
    • Congressional Research Service, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division, Foreign Policy Clerk (2003)

    Areas of Expertise

News and Insights

Events