Latin Lawyer Lauds Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer's Practices for a 'Half Century' of Activity in Latin America

Latin Lawyer 250 recently featured Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP's several practices that have been "active in Latin America for close to half a century." According to the magazine's editors, the firm's "deep expertise in sovereign finance, arbitration and regulatory matters makes the firm's offering well-suited to Latin America's business climate today."

The editorial continued: "The firm's reputation in the region is built on its long-running representation of states and state-owned entities in sovereign debt issuances and arbitration. Arnold & Porter's track record in investment-state arbitration is hard to beat. Its enviable winning streak has largely been for Latin American states; it has acted for nine Latin American governments in disputes over the years, a good number of which also turn to the firm for finance work. The firm has also built a good reputation in cross-border litigation off the back of its arbitration skills … The firm [also] plays well to its DC strengths [by leveraging] its deep ties to the US government to good effect in the region, as regulatory oversight ramps up, particularly in banking and capital markets – both core practice areas for the firm."

The commended practices included:

• Banking and Finance, which the editors said "captures an enviable share of sovereign finance work in the region, counting a good number of governments and government-owned entities (including several central banks) on its books."
• Capital Markets. The firm's sovereign practice also extends to Capital Markets, Latin Lawyer noted. For instance, the firm "has represented Colombia since 2005, most recently helping with two US$1.5 billion global bond issuances. Panama, Venezuela, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Brazil also use the firm for sovereign finance."
• International Arbitration. Arnold & Porter was also heralded for a "market-leading arbitration practice with a significant presence in the region and a long track-record of victories in investment arbitration." According to the editors, "few firms can compete with its success rate on behalf of sovereigns; the firm reports 25 consecutive favorable results at ICSID, most for Latin American states, and has represented six states in the region in the last year alone."
• Litigation. The firm was likewise recognized for its "stand-out litigation offering. The team leans towards complex international litigation for private sector clients and governments," representing "several Latin American sovereign states in US litigation matters, including Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela, and is especially skilled in seeking the enforcement of arbitral awards."
• White Collar Crime & Compliance. Arnold & Porter was also said to have a "well-regarded anti-corruption practice." According to Latin Lawyer, "The firm's strong links to the US government, where a good number of partners have worked, gives it a sound understanding of the authorities' mindsets. This large team includes former prosecutors and lawyers from the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security, as well as the former head of the fraud business group and policy for the UK's Serious Fraud Office Trade."
• Trade. The firm was also said to possess a "substantial international trade practice that it runs out of Washington, DC," which "focuses on trade regulation and policy, export control, sanctions and anti-dumping and countervailing duty cases."
• Pro Bono. Finally, Arnold & Porter lawyers were commended for their long-standing pro bono work in Latin America through participation in the ALAS Foundation.