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- International Arbitration
Covington’s International Arbitration Group, comprising more than 50 lawyers, handles cases under the rules of every major arbitration system in the world, under common law and civil law systems, and in English, Spanish, French, and other languages. We handle disputes in a wide variety of industries, including energy, mining, manufacturing, transportation, telecommunications, insurance, construction, finance, sports, and life sciences.
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, involving claims valued in the billions of dollars. Several lawyers in the group are fully trained in more than one legal system, and our lawyers are regularly selected as chairs and party-appointed arbitrators in both commercial and investor-state arbitrations.
We are consistently ranked as a leading arbitration practice in Chambers, Legal 500, and Global Arbitration Review, and many of our lawyers are individually ranked as leaders in the field in these and similar publications.
Why Clients Choose Covington
- Strategy with Results. We are regularly called upon to serve as lead counsel in some of the world’s most complex and high-profile arbitration matters. We have obtained awards valued at over $3.3 billion and defeated claims worth hundreds of millions of dollars. What sets us apart is the application of thorough analysis and creative strategic thinking to difficult cases; attention to detail; and a commitment to practical, business-minded lawyering.
- Depth of Quality. Covington is known for its deep, highly skilled and unusually experienced bench of multilingual, multi-qualified lawyers. From top to bottom, we offer uncompromising quality.
- Inter-disciplinary Expertise. Our case teams combine first-rate advocates, who are known for their "stand up" skills and credibility before tribunals, with leading lawyers in the substantive fields at issue — a reflection of our firm’s breadth of expertise and our team-oriented culture.
Large commercial award for Merck
Representation of Merck in ad hoc London arbitrations against various insurers that produced a disclosed recovery of approximately US$590 million, plus US$45 million in fees and interest, for prescription drug liabilities — reportedly one of the largest commercial awards in Europe in recent years.
Bank One and JP Morgan Chase
In securing a stay of antitrust and related class-action claims in deference to arbitration clauses in credit-card agreements. 361 F.Supp. 2d 237 (S.D.N.Y. 2005).
Co-counsel in an ad hoc insurance arbitration
Representation of a Lithuanian petrochemicals company as co-counsel in an ad hoc insurance arbitration against various UK underwriters arising out of property damage and business interruption claims exceeding US$150 million.
Dispute over joint operating agreement
Representation of a major European oil and gas company in connection with a dispute with a Latin American independent over a joint operating agreement relating to development of a natural gas field in Bolivia.
Favorable ICC award for New Skies
Representation of New Skies in an ICC arbitration awarding relief of more than US$150 million to our client for a defective communications satellite.
ICC Arbitration Regarding Alleged Breach of First Refusal Rights Under a JOA
A French E&P company in an ICC arbitration with a Swedish independent arising out of the alleged breach of first refusal rights under a JOA.
ICDR arbitration relating to transportation agreements
Representation of a major European oil and gas company in a pending ICDR arbitration with a Brazilian oil and gas major relating to crude transportation agreements in the Andean region.
ICSID Arbitration Against Latin American State
A French oil and gas independent in an ICSID arbitration against a Latin American state, in a dispute arising out of alleged breaches of a bilateral investment treaty and several production sharing agreements.
Representation of ExxonMobil subsidiaries in a ICSID arbitration against Venezuela
Representation of ExxonMobil subsidiaries in a pending ICSID arbitration against Venezuela seeking full compensation under the Netherlands-Venezuela bilateral investment treaty and international law for the expropriation of investments in Venezuela. We successfully obtained US$900 million for ExxonMobil in a companion commercial arbitration described above.
Multi-billion dollar ICC arbitration
Representation of a European gas utility company in a large ICC arbitration valued over US$2 billion against a North African state-owned oil company relating to a complex contract price revision dispute.
Representation of an international beverage company in LCIA and UNCITRAL arbitrations
Representation of a leading Caribbean-based international beverage company in an LCIA arbitration against the former controlling shareholders of a major European-based company that was acquired by our client and in successfully handling a London-sited UNCITRAL arbitration administered by the LCIA.
Representation of Newmont Mining in related ICSID and Stockholm Chamber arbitrations
Representation of Newmont Mining in related ICSID and Stockholm Chamber arbitrations against Uzbekistan concerning termination of rights to exploit mineral resources.
Successful Representation of Spanish Investors in Yukos Oil Company in Arbitration Against Russia
Represented Spanish investors in Yukos Oil Company in an SCC arbitration against the Russian Federation arising from Russia’s expropriation of the company. The tribunal issued an award in our clients’ favor that valued Yukos at more than $60 billion at the time the company was expropriated.
Successful resolution of breach of contract and IP rights arbitration
Representation of a major European shipbuilder in successfully defeating claims brought in an ICC arbitration in New York by a U.S. engine supplier for alleged breaches of contract and intellectual property rights relating to stealth-enabled engine technology for warships.
Multiple Cases Against the Russian Federation
Representation of Ukraine adverse to the Russian Federation before the International Court of Justice and numerous international tribunals defending Ukraine's rights under the Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and the UN Law of the Sea.
Secured Stay of Court Proceedings on Behalf of International Oil Company
Assisted local counsel in Malawi in obtaining a stay of court proceedings and costs for an international oil company in USD 480 million claim in the High Court of Malawi, arising from an agreement between the Claimant and our client for purchase of fuel and lubricants by the Government of Malawi from our client.
Price Reviews of Long-Term LNG Contracts
Representation of a European gas utility company in two major price review arbitrations under the UNCITRAL rules relating to three long-term LNG contracts with a sum in dispute of approximately $3 billion.
January 2021
Recapture of Excess COVID-19 Payroll Tax Credits Addressed in New Regs As the legal, regulatory, and commercial implications of coronavirus COVID-19 continue to evolve, our lawyers and advisors are helping clients navigate the complex considerations that companies around the world are facing and develop plans and strategies in response. Reach out to our ...
December 7, 2020, Covington Alert
On 27 November 2020, the UK Supreme Court handed down its long-awaited judgment in Halliburton Company v Chubb Bermuda Insurance Ltd [2020] UKSC 48. The Court unanimously dismissed Halliburton’s appeal to remove the court-appointed chair of its tribunal for “apparent bias” in a London-seated insurance coverage arbitration arising out of the Deepwater Horizon ...
October 29, 2020, Covington Alert
This month, the UK Supreme Court issued a decision of fundamental importance to the field of international arbitration, undertaking to answer a simple, but timelessly vexing, question: what law governs the validity and scope of an arbitration agreement, where the law that governs the parties’ contract differs from the law of the seat of arbitration? Is it the ...
July 14, 2020, The Lawyer
Craig Pollack is quoted in The Lawyer regarding Covington’s recent comprehensive defense win in a multi-billion dollar dispute in the English Commercial Court between two Ukrainian businessmen and the firm’s client, Mr. Oleg Mkrtchan and his related corporate entities. Mr. Pollack says, “The Mkrtchan Parties are delighted that the judge found in their favour on ...
May 17, 2020, Kyiv Post
Covington Represents Ukraine in Securing Favorable Ruling Under U.N. Law of the Sea Convention
February 21, 2020
WASHINGTON—Covington secured a major ruling for Ukraine in an arbitration against the Russian Federation under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The ruling, issued today by a five-member arbitral tribunal, rejected the majority of Russia’s jurisdictional objections and permits Ukraine’s case to proceed to the merits. “The Tribunal’s ...
Covington Secures Decisive Victory For Ukraine Before the International Court of Justice
November 8, 2019
WASHINGTON—Covington has secured a decisive win for Ukraine in proceedings against the Russian Federation before the International Court of Justice (“ICJ”) concerning violations by Russia of the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism (“ICSFT”) and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial ...
October 1, 2019, Law360
Law360 covered William Phillips, David Pinsky, Joshua Picker, Marney Cheek, and William Lowery’s representation of Naftogaz, Ukraine's state-owned oil and gas company, in its pursuit of documents from Gazprom's Dallas-based oil and gas reserves auditor as the company pursues litigation in the Netherlands to enforce a $2.56 billion arbitral award against the ...
June 14, 2019
LONDON—The American Lawyer and Legal Week have named Covington its Transatlantic Arbitration Team of the Year. The award focuses on a single case that involved significant lawyering on both sides of the Atlantic and that demonstrated excellence in legal expertise and innovation, project management skills, and teamwork. The publications recognized Covington for ...
June 2019, GIR Insight - Europe, The Middle East and Africa Investigations Review 2019
Accreditation: An extract from the 2019 edition of Europe, The Middle East and Africa Investigations Review. The whole publication is available at https://globalinvestigationsreview.com/edition/1001341/europe-the-middle-east-and-africa-investigations-review-2019.
Covington Holds Fourth International Arbitration Academy
March 28, 2019
NEW YORK—Covington has partnered with the Columbia Law School’s Center for International Commercial and Investment Arbitration to hold the fourth annual Covington Academy on International Arbitration (CAIA). A team of Covington partners and associates from New York, Washington, and London will participate in this year’s program, which is open to Columbia’s J.D., ...
March 1, 2019
WASHINGTON—Covington secured a major victory on behalf of Ukraine’s state-owned oil and gas company, NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine, in an international arbitration against the Russian Federation. A tribunal sitting at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, in The Hague, concluded that Russia unlawfully expropriated Naftogaz’s assets in Crimea, in violation of Russia’s ...
December 14, 2018
LONDON— Global Arbitration Review and Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration have recognized Covington’s International Arbitration Practice Group in its 2019 report. The publication named Covington partners Nicole Duclos and Jeremy Wilson as “Future Leaders,” a ranking of “the most eminent lawyers in the field under 45,” and recognized Miguel López Forastier and Stephen ...
October 29, 2018, Legal Business
Craig Pollack participated in an interview with Legal Business regarding the future of big law. When asked about the structures within a law firm, he said, “I agree with what people have said subject to this caveat: our ability to predict is not great. However, I think there will be a law firm that has $7 billion in revenue. I doubt it will be an elite firm. We ...
K&L Gates partner returns to Covington
September 19, 2018, Global Arbitration Review
Monique O’Donoghue’s return to Covington is featured in a Global Arbitration Review article. Ms. O’Donoghue represents clients in commercial arbitration matter and has a particular focus on the oil, gas and construction sectors. Jeremy Wilson, co-chair of the firm’s international arbitration practice says, “We are delighted to welcome Monique back to the firm. ...
Litigation Luminaries
September 10, 2018, Commercial Dispute Resolution
Eric Holder and Craig Pollack are featured in Commercial Dispute Resolution regarding the firm’s ambitions to be at the forefront of international dispute resolution. Mr. Holder and Mr. Pollack discussed managing complex disputes, diplomatic solutions, culture of collaboration, Brexit, and structure and strategy of a case. Mr. Holder said in the interview, “We ...
August 17, 2018
WASHINGTON— Law360 named Covington lawyers Alexander Berengaut, Michael Nonaka, and Ursula Owczarkowski to its list of “2018 Rising Stars.” This annual recognition honors top attorneys under 40 “whose legal accomplishments transcend their age.” Alex Berengaut represents clients in civil litigation, international arbitrations, and government enforcement ...
May 10, 2018, Covington Alert
The Court of Appeal in London has handed down a judgment of significance to both the insurance and international arbitration communities in Halliburton v Chubb. The judgment raises serious questions about the apparent reluctance of English courts to police arbitrators for “apparent bias” and to set aside arbitrator appointments and awards in London-seated ...
Fashion Brand To Pay $2.3M In Bangladesh Accord Deal
January 23, 2018, Law360
Marney Cheek is quoted in a Law360 article regarding a $2.3 million settlement between labor unions and a global fashion brand over garment factory conditions under the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh. “These settlements show that an enforcement mechanism like arbitration can be a critical part of ensuring compliance with the Bangladesh Accord,” ...
Second dispute under Bangladesh accord settles
January 23, 2018, Global Arbitration Review
Marney Cheek is quoted in a Global Arbitration Review article regarding a recent settlement that was reached between labor union federations and a global fashion brand under the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh. Cheek, who led the Covington team acting for IndustriALL Global Union and UNI Global Union, says, "The Bangladesh accord arbitrations ...
Spanish Flour Production Cos. Win $490M From Venezuela
July 28, 2017, Law360
Law360 highlights Covington's successful representation of Valores Mundiales SL and Consorcio Andino SL before the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes. The tribunal found that Venezuela had breached its international obligations with regard to the company's flour production business and ordered the country to pay nearly half a billion ...
May 26, 2017, CDR News
Allan Moore is quoted in a CDR News article regarding his recent appointment to the London Court of International Arbitration. Moore comments, “I am deeply honoured. I have long viewed the LCIA Court and staff as consummate professionals and preeminent leaders in our field. It is also an enormously gracious group of people with whom to work on important matters ...
May 24, 2017
WASHINGTON—Covington partner Allan B. Moore has been appointed a Member of the LCIA Court, the supervisory administrative body of the London Court of International Arbitration, one of the world’s leading institutions for international commercial dispute resolution. Mr. Moore, who co-chairs Covington’s International Arbitration Practice Group, represents a broad ...
LCIA Announces New Court Members, VPs
May 17, 2017, Law360
Law360 highlights the appointment of Allan Moore to the London Court of International Arbitration.
Covington to Open South Africa Office
May 7, 2017, Africa Capital Digest
Graham Vinter is quoted in an Africa Capital Digest article regarding the expansion of Covington's Project Finance practice with the arrival of four new partners and the opening of offices in Johannesburg and Dubai. “The team’s reputation in project finance is absolutely first class, and we are delighted with their decision to join the firm,” says Vintner. “Not ...
May 4, 2017, African Law & Business
Timothy Hester and Graham Vinter are quoted in an African Law & Business article regarding the expansion of Covington's Project Finance practice with the arrival of four new partners and the opening of offices in Johannesburg and Dubai. According to Hester, the additions are “a natural progression of our strategy to build a leading projects practice.” He adds ...
Team of Chadbourne partners opt against Norton Rose merger to launch two offices for Covington
April 27, 2017, Legal Week
Timothy Hester is quoted in a Legal Week article regarding the expansion of Covington's Project Finance practice with the arrival of four new partners and the opening of offices in Dubai and Johannesburg. According to Hester, “We have been focused on building our project finance capabilities for many years, and these opportunities fit very well with that ...
April 27, 2017, The Lawyer
Timothy Hester and Graham Vinter are quoted by The Lawyer in an article regarding the expansion of Covington's Project Finance practice with the arrival of four new partners and the opening of offices in Dubai and Johannesburg. According to Hester, “We have been looking to build our project finance team for a long time." He adds, "This group became available to ...
Covington Expands into Dubai and Jo'burg
April 27, 2017, IJ Global
Graham Vinter is quoted in an IJ Global article regarding the expansion of Covington's Project Finance practice with the arrival of four new partners and the opening of offices in Dubai and Johannesburg. According to Vinter, “We already have strong ties in the Middle East and North Africa region and want to be at the table when countries in that region launch ...
April 27, 2017, The American Lawyer
Timothy Hester is quoted in an American Lawyer article regarding the expansion of Covington's Project Finance practice with the arrival of four new partners and the opening of offices in Dubai and Johannesburg. According to Hester, the firm’s Chadbourne recruits in Dubai and Johannesburg will create a bridge between Covington’s outposts in Africa, Asia, Europe ...
Covington Holds Second International Arbitration Academy
April 6, 2017
NEW YORK—Covington has partnered for the second year with Columbia Law School and its Center for International Commercial and Investment Arbitration to hold the Covington Academy on International Arbitration (CAIA). The program is open to Columbia’s J.D., LL.M., and S.J.D. students. The three-day program consists of training followed by practical exercises and ...
February 1, 2017, The Litigation Daily
The Litigation Daily features Beth Brinkmann, Craig Pollack, and Louise Freeman in an article about the “Top Lateral Litigator Moves in January.” Commenting on her move to Covington, Brinkmann says that the firm “turned out to be just a really unique opportunity,” praising its “culture of teamwork” and “longstanding presence in the legal community.” Alex ...
2 Disputes Lawyers Move To Covington Amid KWM Collapse
January 17, 2017, Law360
Alex Leitch and Jeremy Wilson are quoted in a Law360 article regarding the arrival of Craig Pollack and Louise Freeman to the firm’s European Dispute Resolution practice. According to Leitch and Wilson, “The firm’s growing footprint in London is a reflection of client demand that is fueled by the increasingly challenging regulatory and compliance environment, ...
January 16, 2017
LONDON—Craig Pollack and Louise Freeman have joined Covington as partners in the firm’s European Dispute Resolution practice resident in London. Mr. Pollack will also serve as co-chair of the firm’s Global Disputes Initiative with former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and former U.S. Under Secretary of State Alan Larson. Mr. Pollack focuses on complex high ...
Covington recruits in London
September 12, 2016, Global Arbitration Review
Greg Lascelles and Alex Leitch are quoted in a Global Arbitration Review article regarding Lascelles’ recent arrival to Covington. “I am very excited to join this growing team,” says Lascelles. According to Leitch, the financial services sector attracts significant client demand and Lascelles’ arrival is a “welcome addition” to the practice.
September 5, 2016
LONDON—Greg Lascelles has joined Covington as a partner in the European Dispute Resolution practice resident in the firm’s London office. Mr. Lascelles has a broad litigation and arbitration practice covering a variety of industry sectors, with a particular focus on financial services. He advises hedge funds, private equity houses, asset managers, investment ...
Covington Launches International Arbitration Academy
April 21, 2016
NEW YORK — Covington has partnered with Columbia Law School and its Center for International Commercial and Investment Arbitration to launch the Covington Academy on International Arbitration (CAIA). The program is open to Columbia’s J.D., LL.M, and S.J.D. students. The three-day program will consist of training followed by practical exercises and live feedback ...
Covington’s arbitration app
July 23, 2015, Global Arbitration Review
A piece on our new arbitration app quoting Marney Cheek and Jeremy Wilson and mentioning William Lowery’s and Catherine Karia’s roles in developing the app.
From the chrysalis
December 15, 2014, CDR News
Covington partner Jeremy Wilson is quoted regarding the liberalization of Korea’s legal market: "Marking the start of a five-year liberalisation process of its legal services sector, the move has spawned an influx of over 20 international firms opening offices in Seoul. With restrictions lifted on firms providing dual advice with domestic practices in 2013, the ...
Standing up for the little guy
September 16, 2014, CDR
Covington partners Marney Cheek and Jonathan Gimblett are featured in this article regarding their representation of Yukos minority shareholders: “The writing is on the wall. Once again, Russia has been held accountable for its actions,” Marney Cheek, a Covington & Burling partner who represented the Spanish investors, tells CDR. Indeed, Jonathan Gimblett, ...
Yukos award survives Swedish action
September 12, 2014, Global Arbitration Review
The articles above reference the Stockholm District Court dismissing the Russian Federation’s jurisdictional challenge to a previous arbitration ruling that ordered Russia to compensate a group of Spanish investors for the losses they suffered when the government expropriated the Yukos Oil Company, one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world. The ...
Pricing Provisions And The Gazprom-Naftogaz Dispute
July 11, 2014, Law360
Jeremy Wilson and William Lowery have authored this article on the allegations that Naftogaz has failed to pay $4.5 billion for gas that Gazprom has already delivered to Naftogaz. "On June 16, 2014, Gazprom announced that it had commenced arbitration proceedings against Naftogaz under the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce rules alleging that Naftogaz has failed to ...
- Law360, International Arbitration Practice Group of the Year (2019)
- Legal Week and the American Lawyer, "Transatlantic Arbitration Team of the Year" (2019)
- Named by Latinvex as one of the "Top Arbitration Firms" (2015-2019).
- The American Lawyer, winner of “Global Dispute of the Year - International Arbitration” award (2013)
- Chambers Global, Arbitration (International): Latin-America-wide (2020)
- Chambers Latin America Award for Excellence, shortlisted for International Arbitration (International Counsel in Latin America) Law Firm of the Year (2013)
- GAR 100, International Arbitration (2014-2017)
- GAR 30, International Arbitration (2013)
- "They have an impressive client base and expertise in international arbitration." (Chambers UK 2018).
- "The group operates well as an integrated team and demonstrates good commercial awareness." (Chambers Europe 2013)
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